Interesting aircraft - what have you seen on your computer today?
Yes, built as a combi for Air Canada, then converted to a full freighter a couple of years after it left their fleet.
About 6ish yesterday an unusual noise made me look up and overflew me in Frome heading NE (common inbound routing to Brize N) around 6000ft 4 engined airliner/transport. Engines looked way too slender for anything modern and four of them so not an RAF Voyager. Looked like some sort of Mil 707, too long for KC135 and engines looked too slender, no big radar dish visible either ; EC135 of some sort?. I haven't seen a 707 of any shape or form for years except up in the high 30s Flight levels. So very intrigued? it wasnt on FR24. Does anyone on here have any ideas? Tks Pax B
About 6ish yesterday an unusual noise made me look up and overflew me in Frome heading NE (common inbound routing to Brize N) around 6000ft 4 engined airliner/transport. Engines looked way too slender for anything modern and four of them so not an RAF Voyager. Looked like some sort of Mil 707, too long for KC135 and engines looked too slender, no big radar dish visible either ; EC135 of some sort?. I haven't seen a 707 of any shape or form for years except up in the high 30s Flight levels. So very intrigued? it wasnt on FR24. Does anyone on here have any ideas? Tks Pax B
French C135FR over Frome @ 5025 ft at 1716Z 12 July (1816 BST). Turned towards Fairford near Woodstock orbited Fairford then climbed away back to France. ADSB-Exchange replay - wondered if accompanying something to RIAT not transponding.
ROKAF presidential B747 showing taxying in Warsaw on ADSBexchange. President stopped of post in Poland NATO summit - big trade partnership signings including Poland buying $17 billion of South Korean defence equipment.
Many thnaks to all=SLXOwft I am sure thats what i saw, exac ttime . There were a few fighter type sounds during the afternoon but can be hard to see. First tie I have seen a 70' crelatively close up in years
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Danunder
Age: 49
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Would the E4 require a refuel on a sector as "short" as say VNO to, say, East Coast USA? ( I didn't see its destination). Not sure what the onboard kit, crew and shape of the machine does for it's range, but would be surprised if it couldn't do 8-9 hours without a top up.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,636
Received 300 Likes
on
168 Posts
They do seem to need frequent top ups - it ran SW across the UK (straight over the RIAT at Fairford) with three KC-135s in attendance, presumably one doing the refuel, the others as backup. Maybe the kit on board, need for potable water, etc, limits fuel capacity? Incidentally, the other visiting E-4 left Mildenhall in the early evening and overflew west London before heading Stateside. Two in one day... glad I saw that one on Sunday and my desire to see one has been assuaged!
The E-4s seem always to refuel soon after departure on anything other than a short trip. Presumably there are good operational reasons that will not be publicly shared!
I was watching on FR24 as the E4 went over Devon and Cornwall and further west, the KC135 were taking turns to refuel at around 23000ft.
I would think this was for practice rather than needed as a B747-200 should have a range of at least 5000 miles.
Another thought, maybe the fuel in Vilnius is very expensive or perhaps limited due to Russia not supplying.
I would think this was for practice rather than needed as a B747-200 should have a range of at least 5000 miles.
Another thought, maybe the fuel in Vilnius is very expensive or perhaps limited due to Russia not supplying.
The E-4B that was refueled lifted off from Aviano AB in Northern Italy, flew to Vilnius(area) and then westwards towards the Atlantic, so perhaps it needed a top up for safety regulations etc ?
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Out on the bike in Northumberland
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Kirkintilloch
Age: 69
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, I had a look at BigJetTV (first time since the lockdowns) and he was on good form roaring away at certain moments to much hilarity. Unfortunately he started later than the arrival of the Etihad flight, so that was that. I have a sneaking suspicion that they've made a tactical PR move due to the x-winds at LHR and the possibility of go-arounds/diversions and decided to keep their powder dry for better optics, and I can't say I blame them.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,636
Received 300 Likes
on
168 Posts
Belgian AF NH90 just transited westwards over here at 9000' - unusual to see a helicopter that high! Presume something to do with RIAT...
Edit: went into Northolt.
Edit: went into Northolt.
Last edited by treadigraph; 16th Jul 2023 at 09:32.
Landed at Northolt, and departed home again (heli-routes I think) at midday. Quite unusual for a weekend, and the exact same helicopter was in Northolt earlier in the week (perhaps he left his 'phone behind and had to come back to collect it?)
Why would they go that high? VVIP overwater flight safety regulations?