U2 @ Akrotiri
Beady Eye
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last time I met him was years ago and some people on this forum will know him very well, he was a Sqn Ldr C130 Nav.
The RAF Regt guy in fact was an off-duty RAF Fireman but they too wore the Regt flash. He commandeered a landrover and rammed the Ops building I seem to recall.
Dug out a picture of Gill and I at the firemans xmas party which was just before we were flown home.
BD
when the balloon goes up. Or rather down.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Leeds
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We used to see F-117s night flying from Binbrook in the late 80s. It was meant to be a secret because armed chaps blocked the road to crash gate 3, but just about everyone in the village saw them. They weren't official at the time.
My grandad took a photo of one, for which he achieved fame in his village (North Thoresway... where everyone knew him anyway).
It's the only thing I've asked for in his will
My grandad took a photo of one, for which he achieved fame in his village (North Thoresway... where everyone knew him anyway).
It's the only thing I've asked for in his will
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: belgium
Age: 63
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I worked on 56F Sqn (F4 Wattisham) all through the mid 80's as a ground engineer and our Aircraft used to que up behind it ( Big Black thing with long thin wings, with sticks with wheels on the end hanging dowm, two hugh engines...) most mornings to take- off.... but ask the 'Yanks' in the Bar in the evening and nothing of the sort happened..... Totally Brainwashed or just 'American'
Hi all
Daft question, but there's never been a big secret about U-2/TR-1 ops out of Akrotiri...i mean I recall various articles in magazines such as Air Forces Monthly in the 80s and think the US Airpower in Europe special by AFM mentioned U-2 det at Akrotiri!!
Think it was mentioned in the whopping great 80s publication by Salamander called The US War Machine.
I still wish the 501st CSW at Alconbury would re activate the runway like back 15 years ago, as I remember driving past there and seeing the U-2s of the then 10th TRW
Daft question, but there's never been a big secret about U-2/TR-1 ops out of Akrotiri...i mean I recall various articles in magazines such as Air Forces Monthly in the 80s and think the US Airpower in Europe special by AFM mentioned U-2 det at Akrotiri!!
Think it was mentioned in the whopping great 80s publication by Salamander called The US War Machine.
I still wish the 501st CSW at Alconbury would re activate the runway like back 15 years ago, as I remember driving past there and seeing the U-2s of the then 10th TRW
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Met Office sports and social association have an annual award in memory of the forecaster who was killed.
.
.
Awarded for the promotion of awareness of meteorology in sporting or leisure activities.
Four locally employed civilian met staff also perished that day. They were :-
G. Gostanian, G. Hannis, P. Panayi, and A. Televantos
CM
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London FIR
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've a nice photo of a formation of two "weather balloons" at Akrotiri - the first ever outside the USA.... if the third one that was working Akrotiri Director, had been a bit quicker coming down it would have been the first ever three ship (so I am told)
Don't know how to get it on here though
MM
Don't know how to get it on here though
MM
Hope they removed the towbar from the rear wheels before he rolled.
Was at Akrotiri with cadets Apr '86. On the beach near the harbour, it was great fun to see the 'TR 1' on final and dozens of cadets pointing their cameras at it, with the ACLO running about telling them not to take pictures!!
Was at Akrotiri with cadets Apr '86. On the beach near the harbour, it was great fun to see the 'TR 1' on final and dozens of cadets pointing their cameras at it, with the ACLO running about telling them not to take pictures!!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just like to point out that if the U2 was at Ak - which it isn't, then lots of people would get a ride in the nice fast car when it lands - which it doesn't cause it isn't there. And that ride would be really good fun and a once in a lifetime experience to see a jet nearly land on your bonnet (or hood as the yanks call it). But I haven’t done it (twice), never ... right!
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Age: 85
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I passed through Akrotiri in the period 1964-66, the U2s were operated by the CIA. The pilots never socialised and always went everywhere in twos (including, probably, the bog). In 1974 at the time of the Turkish invasion, they were USAF aircraft and the crews, led by Col Gary Powers (not the Gary Powers, or so he said) were very sociable indeed and happy to let us climb over their aircraft.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Shrops
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by chopper2004
Daft question, but there's never been a big secret about U-2/TR-1 ops out of Akrotiri...i mean I recall various articles in magazines such as Air Forces Monthly in the 80s and think the US Airpower in Europe special by AFM mentioned U-2 det at Akrotiri!!
Think it was mentioned in the whopping great 80s publication by Salamander called The US War Machine.
Think it was mentioned in the whopping great 80s publication by Salamander called The US War Machine.
TEE SHIRTS ETC
Try and get too close to one of their big black machines howver...well thast a different story
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: uk
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Recall a pretty windy day, very low cloud and and even lower U2, COCISS and appearing in my wing mirror just above the trees and buildings as I drove into wind along the A420 outside Swindon. He drew and stayed level with me for quite a bit - didn't have all that much overtake
. Im crap at judging height and I know it's a deceptivly big a/c but I'd be surprised if he was any higher than 3-400 ft... clearly though, he was on his way to/from the US and had must have had altimatry problems as they never operate out of UK...
. Im crap at judging height and I know it's a deceptivly big a/c but I'd be surprised if he was any higher than 3-400 ft... clearly though, he was on his way to/from the US and had must have had altimatry problems as they never operate out of UK...
Guest
Posts: n/a
I would be more worried the fact the CIA have now tracked your post and have cancelled all your credit cards , removed your identity from interpol and made you number 2 most wanted spy next to Billy Bin Laden
good luck on lasting the next 48 hours as Jason Bourne has your details
good luck on lasting the next 48 hours as Jason Bourne has your details
