Odd traffic over Norfolk tonight
 

2140 tonight and I'm in the garden with the dog in Downham Market. A normal looking KC-135 trundles over at about 3000ft, inbound to Mildenhall, I guess. But shortly after, what is clearly a mil fast jet passes over at about 2000ft, heading about 150, with no lights whatsoever. Could only see an indistinct shape, but it was definitely without lights, which is definitely abnormal.

The KC-135 was a C-17 inbound Mildenhall, no sign of the fast jet but an Osprey also routed over Downham Market at some point post 9.30pm.

I guess we need to bring back some reece lessons !

Air to air refuelling is practiced by night “no lights”, using night vision devices. Small lights on the tanker are used as cues for the receiver aircraft but these are not visible to the naked eye. Maybe that’s what you were seeing.

Spelling lessons, too? ;)

Ahem, 1771 may point out that over in the UK we'd usually write 'Air to Air refuelling is practised.....'

Or, even, 'air-to-air'

Capital letter for the first "Air", but definitely not needed in the middle of a sentence.... ;)

Back to the thread: AAR is not practised overland, IIRC. Ospreys have a distinctive sound and this aircraft definitely did not match it. It was a mil fast jet without lights and definitely not an Eagle either, as they also have a distinctive sound. I just find it odd that an aircraft is even permitted to fly without lights at night.....

Maybe a `stealth` jet from `El Adem with grass`...?

ST
I meant the verb !

I have previously done AAR overland, but admittedly not in U.K.

Military aircraft can and do fly in U.K. without lights. Normally NOTAM’d though.

218 Squadron Short Stirling from RAF Downham Market?

Welsh Crew ??
El G.