Close formation flying in cloud
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Geehovah. Excellent vid, thanks.
The grey / silver bits stayed just about visible when the white had gone. I can understand your puckering! So why are L1011s et al not painted camo or drab? Is there a point to them being white if it compromises air-to-air and other close formating? Sorry if I'm being less than bright.
PP
The grey / silver bits stayed just about visible when the white had gone. I can understand your puckering! So why are L1011s et al not painted camo or drab? Is there a point to them being white if it compromises air-to-air and other close formating? Sorry if I'm being less than bright.
PP
Last edited by Pom pom; 28th Aug 2011 at 11:02. Reason: Mis-spelt other's name
Pom pom, TriShaws are painted John Major Grey these days, they are no longer white.
In GW1, the 2 Pink Pigs had half the reflected light value of a white TriStar.
In GW1, the 2 Pink Pigs had half the reflected light value of a white TriStar.
Close formation in helicopters:
That looks about right = 2 rotor spans
Jesus that's close = 1 1/2 rotor spans
F*cking hell that's close = the required 1 span (usually accompanied by the crewmen muttering about fire axes and pilots heads if he gets any f*cking closer)
That looks about right = 2 rotor spans
Jesus that's close = 1 1/2 rotor spans
F*cking hell that's close = the required 1 span (usually accompanied by the crewmen muttering about fire axes and pilots heads if he gets any f*cking closer)
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
Close formation in helicopters:
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Even more exciting when all you can see is the basket and a bit of hose disappearing into the murk.- how do you spell leens again?
It's an absolute doddle - providing one has been correctly trained.
However, at night in thick cloud, I preferred all lights out.
Bread and butter stuff......!!
However, at night in thick cloud, I preferred all lights out.
Bread and butter stuff......!!
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As a personal preference, close formation in cloud is much better than loose formation. I liked the USN / Marine kind of close, especially on a dark, dark night in thick clag recovering into God's chosen fighter field (Leuchars).
Better is being 1 mile radar trail!
Best is watching some other poor sods doing it. It took me several years before I discovered an activity that puckered my ring piece quite as much. Happily, she got the message and buggered off with a ginger Scotsman. Saved me a fortune.
... aaannndd, relax.
Better is being 1 mile radar trail!
Best is watching some other poor sods doing it. It took me several years before I discovered an activity that puckered my ring piece quite as much. Happily, she got the message and buggered off with a ginger Scotsman. Saved me a fortune.
... aaannndd, relax.
Does anybody remember that FTC flight safety magazine cartoon with a student doing his first formation exercise.
First picture; student goggle eyed and sweatng with the instructor telling him, "relax, relax."
Second picture; student relaxed and instructor wide eyed and sweating. "For Christ's sake tense up again."
First picture; student goggle eyed and sweatng with the instructor telling him, "relax, relax."
Second picture; student relaxed and instructor wide eyed and sweating. "For Christ's sake tense up again."
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Yes, I do Fed - thanks for the chuckle.
We had a similar one on a crewroom wall at Cottesmore TTTE with a picture of a Tornado crew after their first night TFR sortie and the same after their 500th night TFR sortie.
Half crown - sixpence! My doc is astounded at the health of my prostate. I wish everything else worked so well. (So does Mrs Whisty)
We had a similar one on a crewroom wall at Cottesmore TTTE with a picture of a Tornado crew after their first night TFR sortie and the same after their 500th night TFR sortie.
Half crown - sixpence! My doc is astounded at the health of my prostate. I wish everything else worked so well. (So does Mrs Whisty)
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"You can get more A-Level and formate two heavies at night in IMC for air-to-air refuelling."
I can vouch for that...32 mins in contact, tobogganing in turbulant IMC burning the VC10's fuel south of S Georgia on the way to S Sandwich.
Loosing visual with the tanker was not an option and at times all we saw was the hose dissapearing into the cloud- 3..2......1............ahh there she is
At least it was still daylight.
That was a great game of who needs the fuel most, lots of sharp pencilling by the navs as we were both on mins for the task. Evantually the 10 forced the disconnect by climbing away from us.
I can vouch for that...32 mins in contact, tobogganing in turbulant IMC burning the VC10's fuel south of S Georgia on the way to S Sandwich.
Loosing visual with the tanker was not an option and at times all we saw was the hose dissapearing into the cloud- 3..2......1............ahh there she is
At least it was still daylight.
That was a great game of who needs the fuel most, lots of sharp pencilling by the navs as we were both on mins for the task. Evantually the 10 forced the disconnect by climbing away from us.