Chinnook in France

[Wander00]

Chinook in France

Does the FAF have Chinooks? A Chinook flew lowish over us in Southern Vendee about 1830 our time (1730 UK) heading NNW, but could not see too much as I was driving at the time, so don't know if "one of ours" or one of theirs! If RAF, what's it doing 250 miles south of the Channel?

[whowhenwhy]

On the way back from exercise in Morocco? I think it's about that Jebel Sahara time of year.... Alternatively might be one of the flights doing some PDT in France?

[Grimweasel]

More likely Prince William off to a wedding in Cannes!!

[dead_pan]

Isn't there a SOE reunion somewhere in France this weekend?

[Lyneham Lad]

A Chinook flew lowish over us in Southern Vendee about 1830 our time (1730 UK) heading NNW...

More likely Prince William off to a wedding in Cannes!!

Grimweasel - can we assume you are not a Nav?

[Trim Stab]

I read his post and assumed he was a nav...

[Grimweasel]

LOL
Ok he was probably on his way BACK from a wedding!! :-)

(I'm not a Nav either - good job too with looming defence cuts - I'd be looking for a new career!!)

[Wander00]

Deadpan - there is an annual memorial service for 31 SAS murdered by the Germans near Poitiers - it is around this time of year, but due east of us so unlikely to be that.

Thanks for all the suggestions - just curious.

[bobward]

Anorak mode engaged

I don't think the French have any Chinooks. the Dutch and the Italians certainly do, and they're all painted a single oberall colour, the same as ours....

[wokawoka]

It was one of ours.

[Wander00]

WW - that sounds pretty authorotative - thanks - any more - were they back in time for Happy Hour - probably not. But good to see, and "bonne chance" to all

[wokawoka]

Kind of made it for HH, as we got back Thursday and HH is on Friday....

[Wander00]

So it was - senility obviously creeping up on me, or brain has boiled in the sun! Hope you are having a free weekend, and that the weather is letting you BBQ or whatever - we are just waiting for gite guests to arrive. Thanks for taking the trouble to respond to my query

[Union Jack]

..... that sounds pretty authorotative

Sounds about right for a Chinook!

Jack

[airborne_artist]

Deadpan - there is an annual memorial service for 31 SAS murdered by the Germans near Poitiers - it is around this time of year, but due east of us so unlikely to be that.

Sounds like to are referring to the guys from B Sqn 1 SAS who were murdered on 7 July 1944 following Op Bulbasket.

At that time there were no double digit SAS regiments/battalions.

[Wander00]

"31" referred not to the unit, but the number of guys sadly murdered

[Wander00]

Wokkawokka - query - what language do you use to ATC crossing France, especially at your height? I am learning again to glide, 49 years after my A & B with the ATC. No point in calling Niort A/G in Engllish - so my French is having to improve by leaps and bounds.

[2brevets]

English old chap!

When in France we speak English but loudly Unless you are the ex Chinook Frenchie who was asked not to speak French as they didn't understand him, maybe he was too tired that day?

[Wander00]

I have the circuit calls written on the back of my hand, but I worry about my solo flights when I get above 3000ft and have to call Cognac. Maybe they do "English"

[BEagle]

If after "God moaning", they instruct you to use French, try "Guten Morgen".

If they say they don't speak German, ask them (in loud English) who is responsible for ensuring that they don't have to.....