Twin Engine USAF In-flight Refuelling Aircraft

[Sultan Ismail]

I have just seen a large twin jet go into Mildenhall,with ventral boom and two outboard dispensers.
Would this be a 777 derivative?
It appeared bright and shiny, like new.

[DaveReidUK]

A330 MRTT or possibly a KC-46A development aircraft a bit far from home?

[Sultan Ismail]

It was a Boeing KC46A, no winglets and distinctive outer dispensers.
A rare bird indeed, still under development.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by Sultan Ismail

It was a Boeing KC46A, no winglets and distinctive outer dispensers.

Does that mean you have had independent confirmation that one has visited Mildenhall? There's no sign of any of the currently flying examples on the flight tracking websites.

Would this be a 777 derivative?

The KC-46A is a 767, rather than a 777.

[Sultan Ismail]

Two of us were standing by the River Ouse in Ely, Cambridgeshire, underneath the approach to Mildenhall. We discussed it at length, as being an unusual sight and considered it's application to the recently arrived F35's at Lakenheath.
Earlier 4 KC135's came over followed by a Hercules transporter.
I believe we saw something unique today.
I dived into Flightradar24 but saw nothing there.

[malcolm380]

Voyager KC3. Photograph on a local aviation group farcebook page.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by malcolm380

Voyager KC3. Photograph on a local aviation group farcebook page.

Sounds much more likely.

Link

[treadigraph]

The Italian AF have KC-767s; I have noticed them over the UK on ADSB once or twice in the last year or two. Probably overflights rather than UK visitors though (can't remember now!).

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by treadigraph

The Italian AF have KC-767s; I have noticed them over the UK on ADSB once or twice in the last year or two. Probably overflights rather than UK visitors though (can't remember now!).

They are pretty active over and around the UK, with three of the four having been noted in recent weeks.

[Sultan Ismail]

Thank you all for the informative replies.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by Sultan Ismail

Thank you all for the informative replies.

Happy to help.

Disappointing that it turned out not to be a Pegasus (the Voyager's winglets are fairly small and not easy to see from directly underneath), but if you're a Mildenhall local you'll get plenty of chances to see KC-46As from next year onwards.

[treadigraph]

I hope that doesn't mean a total disappearance of the venerable 135... One of the pleasures of going to stay with my sister in Suffolk (apart from the local pub) is seeing the odd 135 or C-5 inbound to Mildewhall. Bring back the C-141 (plus anything with radials) sez I.

[galaxy flyer]

Pretty hard to bring back the 141, all boneyarded, if not scrapped by now. The Red Lion, perhaps? Or the Smokehouse?

GF

[treadigraph]

I know they are all gone, just wishful thinking GF. Skylark actually!

[Big Eric]

Getting back to the original post, it was the RAF Voyager ZZ332.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by Big Eric

Getting back to the original post, it was the RAF Voyager ZZ332.

As in the photo link in post #7.

[Big Eric]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

As in the photo link in post #7.

That's the one, Dave !

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by Big Eric

That's the one, Dave !

Thanks for the confirmation that Liam got the serial correct.