Any chance of some help with identifying a couple of Bovingdon inbounds, please?

[None of the above]

My aircraft recognition skills not being what they once were, I cast myself at the feet of the collective wisdom that is Spectators' Balcony.

(1) Friday 26th Sept approx 1530.

I'm going to make a tentative identification with this one and say that it was a Transall C-160 insofar as it was a high-winged twin turbo-prop with a rear fuselage/tail configuration that would accommodate a rear ramp.
Undercarriage would appear to be of the fuselage mounted variety (cf C-130) rather than being housed in the engine fairings.
There appeared to be a 'turret' of some sort beneath the nose, possibly high powered lamp, camera, or external sensor etc.
The colour scheme was light blue with a small insignia at the top of the tail fin.
I suspect that it might have been Northolt inbound rather than Heathrow.

(2) Saturday 27th Sept just before 1500

This one was a large twin-jet, I think Boeing rather than Airbus.
The fuselage, forward of the wing, and tail fin were of a copper-gold appearance and the engine nascelles were dark blue or possibly black.

If PPruNers assembled could assist I'd be grateful.

Many thanks

N o t a

PS I was in the garden (binoculars at the ready) on both days waiting for the local Red Kites and Buzzards to put in an appearance, but I'll watch anything that flies

[Liffy 1M]

For your first sighting I would say it sounds like an Irish Air Corps CASA 235, though I don't know if either of these aircraft were in your area yesterday.

Photo of CASA CN-235-100MP Persuader, 253, Irish Air Corps

[None of the above]

Thanks Liffy! I'm sure you've hit the nail fair and square on the head.
Any idea what the 'turret' is beneath the nose?
Don't worry if you can't help with that one as the ident was the main puzzle.

Ta!

N o t a

Now - any takers for the twin-jet?

[Scouser1]

Could the twin have been Gulf Air? They have a dark gold front fuselage and tail, with dark blue cowlings..although they tend to be A330 rather than Boeings.....look at airliners.net for piccies....

[None of the above]

'twas definitely a Gulf Air. Good picture here: Gulfair A330

Thanks Scouser. I'm grateful to you.
If only all of life's questions could be answered as quickly!

Ta!

N o t a

[Liffy 1M]

Thanks Liffy! I'm sure you've hit the nail fair and square on the head.
Any idea what the 'turret' is beneath the nose?

It's described as an IR/EO turret, which I take to mean Infra-Red/Electro-Optical, and forms part of its maritime patrol equipment fit.

[Skipness One Echo]

If they were inbound to Heathrow then Heathrow & Gatwick Airport Movements and look under "more" for times.

[None of the above]

Thanks for your efforts, Liffy. That ties up the loose ends very nicely, ta!

Skipness............. thanks to you as well.
I'm in the middle of sorting out a neighbour's laptop so I'll have a look at that site a bit later when I've found time to catch my breath!

All the best, Gents

N o t a