We can but dream
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
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Hope the guy in front knew where he was going...
Many years ago I was at Manston when lots of US helicopters came in for customs clearance on route to an exercise. They were supposed to be staging through all afternoon but they were held up in fog on the other side of the channel. When the fog cleared they all came at once. That was an impressive site, especially stood in the middle of them as they came in and trying to find somewhere to park them.
Many years ago I was at Manston when lots of US helicopters came in for customs clearance on route to an exercise. They were supposed to be staging through all afternoon but they were held up in fog on the other side of the channel. When the fog cleared they all came at once. That was an impressive site, especially stood in the middle of them as they came in and trying to find somewhere to park them.
Join Date: Nov 2004
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I'll admit to knowing nothing at all about helicopters so forgive me; is it just the camera angle or is there really no formation geometry there at all?
How do you lead that mess?
How do you lead that mess?
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Wow.
I know the British like the idea of "show of force" flights, but I have to say that if I saw this coming for me (and I was a baddy) then I would be running very fast and not looking back by the time I'd seen the first half of the formation.
(Yes I realise they are U.S. aircraft)
I know the British like the idea of "show of force" flights, but I have to say that if I saw this coming for me (and I was a baddy) then I would be running very fast and not looking back by the time I'd seen the first half of the formation.
(Yes I realise they are U.S. aircraft)
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Large formation check-ins (checks-in?) are no problem. When we darkened the skies of Northern Ireland in the early 70s with a five-ship formation (a Holiday Maker, perhaps), we thought to liven the day and recognise our location by going as "Spud Formation".
Yes, "Spud Formation Check-in" was replied to by "One Potato, two Potato, three Potato, four". A rather grumpy ATC voice said, "Station calling Aldergrove, say again". Sheepish Leader said, "Red Section of five helicopters to taxi."
Also remembered was the inbound call to Aldergrove, "Knuts Corner, inbound, etc". The local ATC didn't respond if this unecessarily long call was reduced to "Nuts to you."
Yes, "Spud Formation Check-in" was replied to by "One Potato, two Potato, three Potato, four". A rather grumpy ATC voice said, "Station calling Aldergrove, say again". Sheepish Leader said, "Red Section of five helicopters to taxi."
Also remembered was the inbound call to Aldergrove, "Knuts Corner, inbound, etc". The local ATC didn't respond if this unecessarily long call was reduced to "Nuts to you."
Join Date: Oct 2006
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I know nothing of the specific operation and specifically when they joined up; yes it looks impressive, but tactically what a load of crap. I would have hate to have been tail-end charlie for something like that!!
Join Date: Aug 2005
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How many Wokkas could Odiham put up at once?
Closest I ever saw was an entire AAC regt (Lynx & Gazelle) who turned up for an ex en masse at NZF on SPTA. I have no idea whether it was planned this way, but they all appeared from behind a tree line together. It was quite surreal at the time, like something from Apocalypse Now.
Closest I ever saw was an entire AAC regt (Lynx & Gazelle) who turned up for an ex en masse at NZF on SPTA. I have no idea whether it was planned this way, but they all appeared from behind a tree line together. It was quite surreal at the time, like something from Apocalypse Now.
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Back in NI, 5 Regt AAC flew about a 15-ship formation a couple of years ago. Rumour has it that this was the only occasion on which more than 2 Lynxes have been serviceable simultaneously!
Chief Bottle Washer
50+ "Balbo" fly past used to be the norm at Culdrose Air Days in the 70's, not counting the fixed wing stragglers.
I'll resist the temptation to say "those were the days"
I'll resist the temptation to say "those were the days"