Interesting aircraft - what have you seen on your computer today?
NATO E3 Sentry flying almost perfect circle over Scotland centred on Blairgowrie, south over Perth, Kirriemuir to the east and Aberfeldy to the west.
Also a Voyager flying patterns off the east coast of the same area.
Couple of Albatrosses earlier. Is there an exercise on ?
Also a Voyager flying patterns off the east coast of the same area.
Couple of Albatrosses earlier. Is there an exercise on ?
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Pair of French Airforce PC-21’s currently northbound abeam Calais…..should be inbound Northolt. Show as FAF6525/6 ….serials are 709FF and 709FD respectively
Being picky, those marks are a combination of the base (Base Aérienne 709-Cognac/Châteaubernard) and the last two of the radio callsigns (typically not used) F-RBFF/FD. FAF serials are 04 and 02 respectively (to be found painted on the fin) and, confusingly, Pilatus's MSNs are 296 and 294, respectively.
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Geordie, exercise Cobra Warrior has been running for the last two weeks out of RAF Waddington and RAF Coningsby. Partcipants include RAF Typhoons, Belgian F16's, Finish F18's, Saudi Typhoons and Indian Mirage 2000's. All in all, a spotters dream!
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Being picky, those marks are a combination of the base (Base Aérienne 709-Cognac/Châteaubernard) and the last two of the radio callsigns (typically not used) F-RBFF/FD. FAF serials are 04 and 02 respectively (to be found painted on the fin) and, confusingly, Pilatus's MSNs are 296 and 294, respectively.
Canadian CC-130J 130604 just arrived at Northolt from Prestwick……CFC2999
There is a photo shoot there tonight apparently!
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Couple of RAF C-130’s currently doing low level over the southeast…..have passed over Midhurst then Haywards Heath before turning south toward Lewes……Currently abeam Bexhill headed northeast at 750ft……”ZORRO 1&2”
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Indian AF C-130 just passed over here, 18000' so perhaps inbound Cambridge for some TLC...
B-52 been busy over Sweden, Germany and Estonia, heading west back across the Baltic, should pass over Blighty on its way back to Spain in an hour or two by the looks of its outbound route.
B-52 been busy over Sweden, Germany and Estonia, heading west back across the Baltic, should pass over Blighty on its way back to Spain in an hour or two by the looks of its outbound route.
An-12 UR-CKL of Cavok Air, Birmingham to Bratislava, rumbled nicely over London, heading due east, at 20.30 this evening. Halfway between me and you, Treadders, you must have heard it as well. Went outside to see if visible. Of course, it's pouring with rain. Wonder if the crew have ever seen London. It did the same route, same time, last night as well. Likely car parts - Land Rover have factories at both ends of the route.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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I did indeed and last night too - briefly saw a strobe last night which may have been the beastie, too wet to bother this evening!
Gnome de PPRuNe
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AN-26 SE across Lunnun this morning, just after 11am I think. I was being serenaded by a dunnock at the time, dear little thing that seemed almost tame.
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Pallas Aviation LM-100J, N96MG…..came out of Ramstein Callsign was “WDE22”. This company works on behalf of the US Government and is based at Alliance Airport, Fort Worth. This aircraft is one of a pair that have been operating out of Ramstein on behalf of US military over recent weeks.
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For info…..exercise “Cobra Warrior” ended Friday, and participants should be leaving early next week! Currently, northbound over France is an Indian a/f IL-78 bound for Mildenhall and a Saudi A-330 bound for Waddington. Should be Saudi C-130’s and Indian C-17’s due over next few days to take groundcrew/equipment home.
Last edited by CHINOOKER; 26th Mar 2023 at 12:15.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Just looking at the Indian IL-76 - ordinarily might get a distant view of this interesting visitor but naturally the weather is rubbish!
Slap bang over the top - certainly sounded different. Bloody weather...
Slap bang over the top - certainly sounded different. Bloody weather...
Last edited by treadigraph; 26th Mar 2023 at 10:21.
Ditto. Saw it coming by chance and excitedly went outside in the light rain thinking it might be under the cloud ceiling....It did make itself known audibly which was nice, but not a glimpse was to be had.
Out of interest why has the IL78 gone into Mildenhall when all the others seem to be Waddington bound ?
Out of interest why has the IL78 gone into Mildenhall when all the others seem to be Waddington bound ?
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Ditto. Saw it coming by chance and excitedly went outside in the light rain thinking it might be under the cloud ceiling....It did make itself known audibly which was nice, but not a glimpse was to be had.
Out of interest why has the IL78 gone into Mildenhall when all the others seem to be Waddington bound ?
Out of interest why has the IL78 gone into Mildenhall when all the others seem to be Waddington bound ?
I know that for a long time, the RAF’s RC-135’s operated out of Mildenhall with a full fuel load, which they couldn’t do out of Waddington. Nowadays, the RAF RC-135’s tend to depart Waddington and then air refuel with Mildenhall KC-135’s before going onward.
Just my assumptions……assume that there will be someone on here that will have more knowledge/insight into the above!
