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-   -   Twin Engine USAF In-flight Refuelling Aircraft (https://www.pprune.org/spectators-balcony-spotters-corner/594523-twin-engine-usaf-flight-refuelling-aircraft.html)

Sultan Ismail 10th May 2017 16:46

Twin Engine USAF In-flight Refuelling Aircraft
 
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 10th May 2017 17:00

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

Sultan Ismail 10th May 2017 18:48

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

DaveReidUK 10th May 2017 21:56


Originally Posted by Sultan Ismail (Post 9766923)
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 10th May 2017 22:56

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 10th May 2017 23:07

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

DaveReidUK 11th May 2017 07:18


Originally Posted by malcolm380 (Post 9767141)
Voyager KC3. Photograph on a local aviation group farcebook page.

Sounds much more likely.

Link

treadigraph 11th May 2017 07:25

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 11th May 2017 08:14


Originally Posted by treadigraph (Post 9767399)
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 11th May 2017 17:05

Thank you all for the informative replies.

DaveReidUK 11th May 2017 20:27


Originally Posted by Sultan Ismail (Post 9767983)
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 11th May 2017 23:22

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 12th May 2017 01:32

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

GF

treadigraph 12th May 2017 06:42

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

Big Eric 12th May 2017 15:33

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

DaveReidUK 12th May 2017 16:01


Originally Posted by Big Eric (Post 9768988)
Getting back to the original post, it was the RAF Voyager ZZ332.

As in the photo link in post #7.

Big Eric 12th May 2017 16:51


Originally Posted by DaveReidUK (Post 9769013)
As in the photo link in post #7.

That's the one, Dave !

DaveReidUK 13th May 2017 08:00


Originally Posted by Big Eric (Post 9769061)
That's the one, Dave !

Thanks for the confirmation that Liam got the serial correct.


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