Low flying Hercules in Dorset 1979-1980
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Whilst on the subject...
In the late '70s/early '80s at my school, south west of Guildford, we would regularly see Hercs do a dozen or more circuits at low level over Farnham way, apparently something to do with Hankley Common, or so it was said. (It wasn't Snoopy from Farnborough by the way.)
Too low for meat bombing, possibly some other form of low level drop exercise - proved almost (but not quite) as good a distraction from maths and English as the view of the girls’ tennis courts!
Add to that a certain Mr Farley and friends shattering the peace in a variety of Harriers and Hawks from Dunsfold, it's no wonder my maths is very shaky.
In the late '70s/early '80s at my school, south west of Guildford, we would regularly see Hercs do a dozen or more circuits at low level over Farnham way, apparently something to do with Hankley Common, or so it was said. (It wasn't Snoopy from Farnborough by the way.)
Too low for meat bombing, possibly some other form of low level drop exercise - proved almost (but not quite) as good a distraction from maths and English as the view of the girls’ tennis courts!
Add to that a certain Mr Farley and friends shattering the peace in a variety of Harriers and Hawks from Dunsfold, it's no wonder my maths is very shaky.
Last edited by treadigraph; 28th Jun 2012 at 12:02.
and of course, if anyone remembers being on such flights
DX, I hate to be a pedant*, but "Ancient USAF Flying Machines", I think.
Looks like 'European 1' camo, and a Stars & Stripes on the tail.
Great pic, anyway. I remember seeing one of a Hot Air Balloon at the same place, with the basket on the Giant's non-club hand. The HAB envelope had "Durex" written all over it.
*No, of course I don't, really.
Looks like 'European 1' camo, and a Stars & Stripes on the tail.
Great pic, anyway. I remember seeing one of a Hot Air Balloon at the same place, with the basket on the Giant's non-club hand. The HAB envelope had "Durex" written all over it.
*No, of course I don't, really.
Last edited by BossEyed; 12th Jul 2012 at 14:31.
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BossEyed, I was thinking of prehistoric times prior to the invention of the lovely Hercules. 
You do, however, have a valid point. 
You do, however, have a valid point.
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Matt
It is indeed a USAF Maryland ANG Herk and if memory serves, it would have been 97/98-if important I can look up logbooks. (if I can find them !) We presented them a hooj poster of it, which last time I was there, was still in their crew-room. I'm scanning pics at the mo and if I find any more, I'll let you know,
Cheers
Dave
It is indeed a USAF Maryland ANG Herk and if memory serves, it would have been 97/98-if important I can look up logbooks. (if I can find them !) We presented them a hooj poster of it, which last time I was there, was still in their crew-room. I'm scanning pics at the mo and if I find any more, I'll let you know,
Cheers
Dave
treadigraph
Assuming Hercs were doing the same when you saw them as they were up to end of '73 (when I left), they were dropping paratroops on Hankley Common DZ.
We used to pick them up at Odiham and cross the Farnham area on the way to the IP (place the run-in to the drop zone started from) at The Hogs Back Hotel and after dropping do a left hand circuit towards Godalming and back round to the Hogs Back.
The main low level route in my day IIRC went from Ramsbury disused airfield to Ropley Stn then to a X-Roads on the A29 north of Pulborough, skirting south of Gatwick Zone to a roundabout at Washington before coasting out east of Littlehampton.
Past a lightship (can't recall the name), then south of St Catharine's Point on the IOW before coasting in near Swanage at Ballard Point. Then past the Arne oilfield to Maiden Newton Stn, right turn to Henstridge X-Roads,on to Westbury Stn and perhaps dropping at Keevil DZ or returning to Fairford or Lyneham.
Not too bad a recall for 40 years ago - but I can't remember what I had for lunch!
We used to pick them up at Odiham and cross the Farnham area on the way to the IP (place the run-in to the drop zone started from) at The Hogs Back Hotel and after dropping do a left hand circuit towards Godalming and back round to the Hogs Back.
The main low level route in my day IIRC went from Ramsbury disused airfield to Ropley Stn then to a X-Roads on the A29 north of Pulborough, skirting south of Gatwick Zone to a roundabout at Washington before coasting out east of Littlehampton.
Past a lightship (can't recall the name), then south of St Catharine's Point on the IOW before coasting in near Swanage at Ballard Point. Then past the Arne oilfield to Maiden Newton Stn, right turn to Henstridge X-Roads,on to Westbury Stn and perhaps dropping at Keevil DZ or returning to Fairford or Lyneham.
Not too bad a recall for 40 years ago - but I can't remember what I had for lunch!
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It was a common sight to see them slightly east of Henstridge - flying low level NE along the River Stour valley at Gillingham (Dorset). If they continued that line they would hit the A303 at Mere and be on a straight line for Westbury
Groups of Army Lynx sometimes flew the same route
Groups of Army Lynx sometimes flew the same route
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Ah, seeing Biggus Dickus is like meeting an old friend.
Mildly interesting point is, we were always looking at him through the left window i.e. we were heading east, this aircraft is going North West.
I know . . . I need to get out more ;o)
Mildly interesting point is, we were always looking at him through the left window i.e. we were heading east, this aircraft is going North West.
I know . . . I need to get out more ;o)
Seeing as its a Dave Fry piccie, and a Maryland ANG herc ... my guess it was taken during a "Longlink" exchange, and the yanks went around for a second look at Biggus .......
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To confirm the "looking through the left window" RAF routing seemed to usually pass south of Cerne Abbas, some almost to the A35, and the ones heard from my house were all west to east, often in the dark.
Just before the D-Day 50th, a US Coastguard cutter was arriving in local waters and had launched its helo on what was clearly a sight-seeing trip. When the female pilot contacted Portland, it semed they were directing her to take a more inland route - in the direction of Cerne Abbas...
Just before the D-Day 50th, a US Coastguard cutter was arriving in local waters and had launched its helo on what was clearly a sight-seeing trip. When the female pilot contacted Portland, it semed they were directing her to take a more inland route - in the direction of Cerne Abbas...
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Aha-almost correct Omega-it was a 'Cross-Ske' exchange. Memory is fading but IIRC it was a Nav/Airdrop competition and we managed to bag an extra frame for some air to air shots-got some later that day of Hercs and A-10s together over Lyneham field. Happy days.....
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Brian 48nav
Fantastic recall of the LL route. I remember Semington roundabout (south of Melksham) featured on some routes depending on the DZ. Can't ever forget the church steeple at Bishops Canning as the TAP for Everleigh.
Anybody recall the admiral at Slindon who was forever complaining about low-flying Hercs from TI. IIRC, we could not be below 731 feet on the Tangmere QNH when flying over his mansion! Tangmere was the DZ before landing at TI.
Fantastic recall of the LL route. I remember Semington roundabout (south of Melksham) featured on some routes depending on the DZ. Can't ever forget the church steeple at Bishops Canning as the TAP for Everleigh.
Anybody recall the admiral at Slindon who was forever complaining about low-flying Hercs from TI. IIRC, we could not be below 731 feet on the Tangmere QNH when flying over his mansion! Tangmere was the DZ before landing at TI.
Anybody recall the admiral at Slindon who was forever complaining about low-flying Hercs from TI.
Brian 48nav:
It was the Owers Lightship, and now according to Wikki a wreck in Tel Aviv Harbour:
Lightvessels in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Past a lightship (can't recall the name),
Lightvessels in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
