Interesting aircraft - what have you seen on your computer today?

[SpringHeeledJack]

A lovely AN-12 of Ruby Star went over London loudly a while ago out of BHX headed, no doubt, to Bratislava.

[treadigraph]

Originally Posted by Mr Mac

Bit late to this, but I am sure an AN124 passed over northern UK last Sunday pm around 14.30 bound for Europe, there was a Cargo Lux 747 some 20 miles in front I think. I did not have phones or binoculars, and quite forgot about it until looked in on this thread. Very odd sounding engines which initially caused me to look up, though the fact that there were some Contrails was unusual enough these days.
Cheers
Mr Mac

Yes it was RA-82044, Dallas/Fort Worth to Luxembourg. I did see an AN-124 pass westbound over London the other day and thought I'd mentioned it, but can't find the post. May have been the same one outbound.

Didn't hear the AN-12! I did the Atlas around the same time...

SHJ, they were C-130Hs yesterday so a deeper engine note - the C-130Js seem rather higher and whinier to me, may be the prop blades.

[goldox]

Magma Aviation Iceland 747 just overhead me now heading east towards London at 37000.

[Mr Mac]

Treadigraph
Thanks for the confirmation on the AN124. I wonder what the cargo was, maybe oil production items given the departure point I suppose.
Cheers
Mr Mac

[dixi188]

"No! We only carry tractor parts"
This was the reply about 50 years ago when a Russian aircraft bound for Cuba was asked if he was Transponder equipped.

[treadigraph]

Irish AC AW139 just paid me a flying visit, enroute home from Europe. I've noticed them transiting back and forth at low level (1500') a few times - seems a funny piece of kit to use for long distance comms flights.

Edit: I see it's popped into Blackbushe for some petrol... perhaps they do Green Shield Stamps there...

[SpringHeeledJack]

Another AN-12 this morning out of BHX with car parts over London.

[treadigraph]

And again I didn't hear it, yet the Fatlass that just thundered over was very noticeable. It's like Groundhog Day...

[treadigraph]

I heard that AN-12! UR-CNN, outta Brum...

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by treadigraph

Irish AC AW139 just paid me a flying visit, enroute home from Europe. I've noticed them transiting back and forth at low level (1500') a few times - seems a funny piece of kit to use for long distance comms flights.

Leonardo have an MRO facility at Liege Airport, where the Irish examples can be seen from time to time.

[WHBM]

Originally Posted by treadigraph

I heard that AN-12! UR-CNN, outta Brum...

Almost becoming not noteworthy; Ruby Star came over at 09.00 and Cavok at 12.00 today. The only disappointment is that Cavok doesn't live up to its name - they are always above cloud it seems.

The Cavok seems to have routed down the Edgware Road over Central London, and then Biggin Hill, but was audible out by Lakeside shopping centre, a good 12-15 miles off track.

[treadigraph]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

Leonardo have an MRO facility at Liege Airport, where the Irish examples can be seen from time to time.

Aha!

Nice to see Spitfire IX G-PMNF was airborne from Biggin earlier, the days are steadily brightening!

[KelvinD]

I just had a RAF C17 pass overhead (ZZ176). It seems it left Brize earlier today, found its way to Jersey where it did a couple of touch and goes, thence to Guernsey where the exercise was repeated and from there to Gatwick where 3 or 4 more touch and go exercises happened. From there, over Sussex and Hampshire back to Brize. Why would the RAF feel it necessary to use civil airports for what was presumably a training exercise?

[Duchess_Driver]

Why would the RAF feel it necessary to use civil airports for what was presumably a training exercise?

This is not as uncommon as you’d think. It gives an opportunity for the crew to “practice” for “non-routine” environments, rather than just bashing the circuit at Brize.

[Double Hydco]

Why would the RAF feel it necessary to use civil airports for what was presumably a training exercise?

It's not a new thing. Late 1980's and we'd be requesting Practice Diversions for Chivenor Hawks to Bristol, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Exeter amongst others. Jersey has seen a C130, C17 and Royal Navy King Air's in the last week, often to use the RNP approaches.......

[treadigraph]

Herc and Atlas have both flown approaches and some circuits at Biggin and Gatwick last year, keeps ATC busy too when otherwise things have been quiet for them. Nice to see them... Think I may have seen the odd Hawk at Gatwick back in the 70s/80s when Dunsfold was a-building them - and before Gatwick became ultra-busy. Always used to go a bit quiet in the afternoon.

[treadigraph]

Challenger T7-MASHI inbound Gatwick - another country that seems to have ditched the 6 character format...

I see an aerial conveyance owned by a Mr Mason of the beat combo Pink Floyd is getting an airing - a flying saucer full of secrets?

[goldox]

B737 reg N737LE overhead Didcot at 34000 heading west (out of Stansted?).
Not sure of operator but reg is quite suggestive (of a 737!)

[treadigraph]

It's a BBJ operated by Universal Jet Aviation.

[goldox]

Originally Posted by treadigraph

It's a BBJ operated by Universal Jet Aviation.

Thanx for info Treadigraph.