Catbird

[Simtech]

Can anyone tell me which operator uses the radio callsign "Catbird"?

Thanks,

Simtech

[Caslance]

I know there were USN Orions that used to visit Northolt using that callsign.

Does this help?

[Simtech]

Hi Caslance,

Thanks for your reply. I don't think it was an Orion - the pilot had an English accent. Now that you mention it I think that Catbird was the callsign allocated to the personal aircraft of the senior US Navy officer in Europe. The mystery deepens!

Thanks again,

Simtech



Edited by Simtech to remove mixed metaphors.

[GK430]

Skycat is an Avanti out of EGBE

[Simtech]

GK340,

Thanks. I heard the callsign in question Tuesday lunchtime. It was northbound, working London on 130.92 before being handed off to 127.1. Couldn't see him through all the traffic in the Cranfield hold, which is directly over my house

Cheers,

Simtech

[gazdee]

CATBIRD is usually the callsign of CinC USN F E (Cmdr in Chief US Navy Forces Europe). Based at Sigonella I believe. Until recently used to fly around in a VP-3A but i think he's recently been upgraded to a Gulfstream. Pops up at Northolt occasionally.

[Jetset320]

CinC USN F E (Cmdr in Chief US Navy Forces Europe) is probably based in Naples Italy, rather than Sigonella Sicily.

[Compass Call]

Slightly off topic.

A few years ago there was a yank flying around the Middle East with the callsign 'SHAG 69'. Allways made me smile when I heard him call in. Never did find out who he was carrying or what aircraft type it was.

CC

[ZRH]

CATBIRD buzzed through Swiss airspace on regular occasion allways routing from the UK to Italy and back, and it was allways a P3 Orion.

Shag 69 was probably a Shaguar

[25check]

Catbird is now a Gulfstream 3 (C20A), it was a VP3A Orion for many years and before that a Convair C131. I'd say a Gulfstream is a downgrade from an Orion!