Apache movement
 

Saw an Apache at about 18:15 today. It was flying North-South at around 1500ft over the western edge of Derby.

As this is a most unexpected sight in this neck of the woods I wondered if any Apache blokes could let me know where it was coming from/going to.

Mind you, it could be on loan to the Derbyshire plod! :ok:

It wasn't following a high-speed Reliant Robin was it?

Is it true they're going to be based at Wattisham and fly over, among other places, Harwich? If so, I can't wait!

"Dear Station Commander, the other day I noticed a military helicopter flying past the end of my garden at a height above the sea of less than 50ft. Road traffic was screeching to a halt and I couldn't hear the voice of the person I was speaking to (my wife).

May I say how wholeheartedly I approve of this sort of flying and I look forward to much more in the near future. Please feel free to use my house (coordinates enclosed) as a dummy target.

Yours aye"

There was one on the frequency (in company with some other clattering device) not far from the Covert Oxonian Aerodrome this afternoon!

So perhaps they're not just an illusion?

An Apache and Gazelle inbound to Brize from Dishforth this afternoon.

Last week one was flying around Filton and North Bristol

moony

Sounds about right. :D Route from Dishforth to BZ could be over Derby west to avoid E/Midlands airport - and the Vicky-ten that's been wonderfully and noisily doing stuff at that airport for the past couple of days. :E No Gazelle though, at least none that I could see. Would the time be about right?

MadsDad

Don't know about the Robin, we ain't got anything that fast up here. :E

Managed to get a shot of the thing on the A38 though . . .:hmm:

http://www.canberra.plus.com/pics/speedtrap.jpg

The Robin comment came from an incident a few years ago where there was a chase (in the Chesterfield/Matlock region as I recall) where the police were chasing one. It took them 3 1/2 hours to catch it and caused a certain amount of hilarity at the time. Thought there might be another and they had called in the heavy mob to help. :}

Also noticed the Apache is going the wrong way against traffic and wondered is this would be standard, so they could see him coming. I remember driving south in the M5 a few years ago watching 3 Hercules in trail, heading north, flying (just. Maybe 250 ft) above the northbound carriageway. The rections of the cars they were overtaking was, to say the least, interesting. A fair amount of 'what the :mad: was THAT?' going on.

Out in the midle of nowhere in Spamland, we were flying our Vulcan on one of the low level 'Olive Branch' routes. Ahead, just right of track we saw a typical redneck pick up truck (roof spotlights, shotgun rack, CB aerial, one eyed dog and probably a dribbling inbred called Billy Bob drinking moonshine from a jam jar...you know the sort of thing!). It was going the same way as us on one of those long dusty tracks you see in the US. Too good an opportunity to miss; we jinked right a tad and descended......err, a bit. Then flew right over the top applying max chat as we did so......

No doubt there's someone in Kansas still talking about the mysterious UFO which appeared from nowhere that day!

One day last week I was told by EGHH radar to look out for a Apache in my 11 o clock so it (they?) are getting around a bit.

Must confess I never saw it though.

I live in Yeovil. Barely raise my eyes to look at the bloody things now! Still, shouldbe some funky Danish EH-101's to look at shortly. Make a nice change.

I've just seen an Apache fly over the Tower of London, heading west....maybe the Government have decided on more direct measures to stop Archer retaking his seat in the Lords?!

We often get military stuff heading up and down river - Chinooks and Griffins and the occasional Sea King (The SAR RN one that came over yesterday was very low and slow) but it's the first Apache that I've seen here.

Won't be in Wattisham for a while yet but expect them north of Leeds and South of the Forth Bridge from next March when the first Squadron arrives in Dishforth. But if you fancy seeing them then you best go nocturnal cause that is all they will be doing, flying at night alledgedly.
Word also has it that PAS are looking for a new Heli type, perhaps they could buy a few of the mighty beasts, would probably sort out a few of the joyriders that constantly cost the taxpayer a fortune and pump up our insurance premiums on a regular basis.

Beeayeate

Timings don't match, the pair arrived at Brize in the afternoon.

"Timings don't match, the pair arrived at Brize in the afternoon."

My Gods does this mean there's two of 'em up there? :suspect:

Spotted Apache north of M3, Basingstoke - Sat 20th Aug 15:45, heading in westerly direction, probably aiming at Middle Wallop. Boscombe has had one/a number floating around for ages, saw one below tree level behind a big hedge 50 feet off south of the A303 near Thruxton. It then slowly crossed the A303 just above the traffic. I had to retract my aerial to avoid catching the u/c as he passed over - well nearly. Almost caused a major RTA as a 40 Ton Lorry Driver ran off the road for a while watching the antics.

B J

Have had a few Apaches at Abingdon recently, mainly at night on NVG sorites i guess - very interesting & makes a distinctive noise compared to the Merlins / Pumas that use the place at times....

Keep em coming AAC!!!

Want to see an Apache then come to the home of WAMS, Westland Apache Maintenance Support at Shawbury. Still if Shropshire gets invaded by the Welsh then at least we can repulse them.

The Mil spotters forum were reporting that an apache put down at Sheffield airport last week after going tech, I believe there was also a second AH-64 plus a gazelle on the ground there.

Statistics?
 

With the Apache being fitted with a 'look and point' targetting system has anybody collected the statistics for the percentage of time the weapons system has been aimed at young blonde female sunbathers as opposed to grumpy old scrotes tending their potatoes?

With Apache now appearing everywhere apparently this is vital information, particularly as my tatties need a good seeing too! :D