Bell Osprey over Greenwich (UK)
 

Heard a bit of a racket about 10 minutes ago and guessed it was a heavy chopper of some sort. I suppose I was right.

I nipped into the back garden and saw a Bell Osprey whizzing east at around 1,000 feet parallel to the Thames. About a mile inland I guess. It was in helicopter mode rather than aeroplane mode.

Does anyone know if the Brits are trying it out or is it a visitor? Great to see it for the first time, and it does look as odd as the photos!

Flew over Wandsworth at 1700 heading towards twickenham there has been quite a bit of military today two apaches low at around 10am this morning and a Irish air corps a139

It's Obama's lot. If we leave the EU they're going to invade.

It was just one of the CV-22B Ospreys that are based at Mildenhall out on a training flight, callsign was "Knife 71", serial was 11-0058 (if your interested).

The SAS are getting them but I didn't tell you, right?

I too heard a loud clattering around the times suggested and I was 4miles away from the Thames. If the SAS get them, they'll need to sort out the sound with dampening of some sort.


SHJ

Many thanks to Big Eric for the gen, most impressive!

Must say I agree with SHJ, stealthy it aint!

If I hadn't snuck off work early, might have seen it in the distance. Ah well, perhaps they'll become regulars along the heli-lanes. Never seen one...

It was revealed in the 'Military' section.

One over London this morning apparently and ADSB-Exchange shows it back again, currently heading towards central London just south of Stapleford....


Edit: Finally got to see one - actually two, a pair of large dots heading east along the Thames!

2 came up river 10 30am both again came back up Thames at1345pm circled Chiswick bridge flew back down Thames towards Wandsworth bridge mystery?

Why is it mystery, they're based just up the road at Mildenhall and are doing a bit of training?

Yep, saw the pair today. They left the Thames at Greenwich (or thereabouts) and flew directly over me heading south east while I was on Vanbrugh Hill. They were both in chopper mode, lowish and taking it easy.

SAS take the to the skies over London in anti-terror helicopters | Daily Mail Online

So now you know ;) :rolleyes:


SHJ

We are so lucky to have the Dail Fail to tell us the exact truth ...

And there's me thinking it was a coupla USAF lads - or lasses - out for a jolly.

Maybe the cousins are getting ready to stage a coup d'etat if the vote to leave the EU wins next month ? :}


SHJ

With regards to the sas using them I just hope they are fitted with rubber blades the racket they make is louder then the old rotodyne I live in Wandsworth and you could hear them comming from Richmond following the Thames ?

lotus - I think the SAS role for the plane (?) is more to do with rapid movement of personnel rather than stealthy movement of same!

If Big Eric says they're septics going for a potter, no reason for us to doubt him. Tangos aren't daft, they know the SAS will be on any potential hostage/combat scene quickly anyway.

I'd be surprised if this was SAS willy-waving. If it is, it's not really necessary.

I don't doubt him at all, they were certainly USAF operating out of Mildenhall. The Daily Mail on the other hand... :p