Monday 16/8/10 - LOG: Lowestoft Air Festival

 

The participants LOG for the Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival on Thur 12th & Fri 13th August is now online, click HERE to view

 

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Regards Roger
Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk
N52° 32' 34" E001° 43' 21"
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org.uk

Saturday 7/8/10 - Lowestoft Air Festival Frequencies 2010

 

The frequencies for the Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival on Thursday/Friday 12th & 13th August are...

LOWESTOFT RADIO 130.675 MHz and Display Discrete 134.550 MHz.
 

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Regards Roger
Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk
N52° 32' 34" E001° 43' 21"
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org.uk

Friday 6/8/10 - Apaches at Radar Lodge

 

WAH-64D Apache, AH.1 ZJ200 3 Regiment AAC c/sign ARMY AIR 350 conducted landing practices at Radar Lodge, Hopton-on-Sea, between 10:10 and 10:25 BST, 6th August 2010. On completion of this task the aircraft headed west towards STANTA.

 

Also, another WAH-64D Apache AH.1 ZJ219 4 Regiment AAC c/sign ARMY AIR 425 conducted landing practices at Radar Lodge, Hopton-on-Sea, between 13:10 and 13:20 BST, 6th August 2010. On completion of this task the aircraft headed north-west to RAF Marham, where he subsequently carried out various types of approaches and landings.

 

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Regards Roger
Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk
N52° 32' 34" E001° 43' 21"
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org.uk

Friday 18/6/10 - London Flypast 18th June 2010

 

Some of you have enquired about what aircraft were involved in the fly-past over central London yesterday (Friday 18th June). These have been positively identified from photographic evidence, the details follow below.

The following overflew the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, yesterday at 11:00 hours to commemorate the broadcast by General de Gaulle during the Second World War. The French President was there to present medals to British and French WW.II veterans.

Spitfire PR.XIX PS915 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, base; RAF Coningsby
Typhoon T.3 ZJ809/BH 29(Reserve) Squadron, base; RAF Coningsby
Rafale B 315/113-HK EC01.007 Provence French Air Force, base; Saint Dizier

Agusta A.109E Power ZR323 32 Squadron, base RAF Northolt, was the photo ship for the event.

Some TV and radio stations said that the RAF Typhoon was from 11 Squadron at Coningsby, so it is possible that although the aircraft carries the markings of 29(Reserve) Squadron, it was being flown by an 11 Squadron crew. Sorry no frequencies or callsigns.

 

Regards, Roger

Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org.uk

Sunday 13/6/10 - LOG: Bentwaters Air Show 13th June 2010

 

Click here for the list of participants at Bentwaters Airshow 2010

Saturday 12/6/10 - LOG: Queens Birthday Flypast - Actual, Sat 12th June 2010

 

Click here for the list of participants in the QBF Rehearsal & Actual Flypast 2010

Wednesday 9/6/10 - LOG: Queens Birthday Flypast - Rehearsal, Weds 9th June 2010

 

Click here for the list of participants in the QBF Rehearsal & Actual Flypast 2010

Thursday 26/11/09 - Mildenhall Based Movements

 

There have been a number of changes to the compliment of MC-130P COMBAT SHADOW's of the 67th Special Operations Squadron at RAF Mildenhall throughout 2009. Here's the up to date info on these;

Most recent swap;
69-5823 MC-130P arr 12th November 2009 - replaces...
69-5828 MC-130P departed for USA on 16th November.

Currently then this is the compliment of the 67th SOS MC-130P
MC-130P's 64-14854, 65-0991, 66-0215, 66-0220, 69-5823 + C-130E Hercules 64-14859

7th SOS MC-130H COMBAT TALON II's are currently; 87-0023, 87-0024, 88-0191 and 88-1803

Departures earlier this year have been;
69-5832 23rd April
69-5825 30th June
69-5831 12th July

Arrivals have been;
64-14854 3rd July
65-0991 20th July
66-0220 1st August
 

Regards, Roger

Hopton, Norfolk
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org

Saturday 8/8/09 - "Clown on the Pier" Poem Online

 

Our very own "LAS Poet" has put pen to paper, Bob's artistic words can be found here!

Cheers, Andy

Friday 7/8/09 - RAF Pumas Land Locally

 

The two RAF Puma HC.1 helicopters which were around on Friday last and which landed briefly at North Denes (Caister), have been identified as XW204 and XW217. At the moment I don't have their callsign(s) but I hope I will be able to get hold of them and let you know. If anyone already has them perhaps they can pass them on to me.

 

Regards, Roger

Hopton, Norfolk
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org

Thursday 6/8/09 - Hercules over North Lowestoft

 

The MC-130H COMBAT TALON II which went North to South down the coast at about 14:00 on either Thursday or Friday was 88-1803 (81803) callsign TALON 71. It was a Mildenhall based machine from the 7th Special Operations Squadron of the 352nd Operations Group.
 

Regards, Roger

Hopton, Norfolk
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org

Monday 3/8/09 - Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival (LSAF) - LOG

 

The participants LOG for both days is now online, see Log Book page for details.

 

Cheers, Andy

Wednesday 8/4/09 - Russian Military Aircraft To Receive Change Of National Insignia

 

The Russian State Duma (Parliament) has passed a law changing the national military aircraft insignia. The traditional five-point red star will now be outlined with white and blue borders. The new insignia will appear on all military aircraft, including border guard and transport vessels. The new law also suggests placing the Russian tricolor flag on military transport aircraft flying abroad, as the sign of national identity.

The new law also permits the painting of additional identity marks, side numbers, proper names, heraldic symbols and trademarks on state aviation aircraft upon approval of the authorities. ICAO have been notified of the changes and the Russian Air Code will be changed in compliance with the new law.

The Red Star has been the national emblem on Russian military aircraft since the Bolshevik Revolution when the communists took power in Russia and it became known as the Soviet Union. Even after the communists left power and the Soviet Union became the Commonwealth of Independent States, Russian military aircraft have continued to wear the Red Star. Although the Red Star is being altered, it will still form the main part of the national military aircraft insignia.

The use of 'proper names' on aircraft may be the Russians way of trying to stop their aircraft being referred to by their NATO code names, many of which are considered uncomplimentary by the Russians.
 

Regards, Roger

Hopton, Norfolk
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org

Tuesday 7/4/09 - Polish F-16 at Lakenheath

Just to let you know that last night a Polish Air Force F-16 flew into RAF Lakenheath. I'm advised it's still here this morning so possibly here for some kind of meeting and therefore may remain there for most if not all of the day.

F-16C Fighting Falcon 4040 10 ELT/Polish Air Force

Also noted flying in last night was;

Tornado ECR 46+57 JbG-32/Luftwaffe (German Air Force)

 

Regards, Roger

Hopton, Norfolk
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org

Wednesday 1/4/09 - Obama Visit to UK Update (Post Arrival)

 

On Monday the 'secretive' C-20 arrived at Mildenhall and is hangered there but with the hangar door open so they can make a quick getaway if required;

C-20C 60403 (86-0403) 89th Airlift Wing c/sign SAM 60403

Yesterday (Tuesday 31st March) at Stansted the following landed in connection with the Obama visit;

Boeing 777 United Airlines c/sign UAL 9888 (Andrews AFB to Stansted)

VC-25A 28000 (82-8000) 89th Airlift Wing c/sign AIR FORCE ONE

C-32A 90003 (99-0003) 89th Airlift Wing c/sign SAM 4526 (Brought Hilary Clinton in from Amsterdam)

C-32A 80001 (98-0001) 89th Airlift Wing c/sign SAM 91

Of course the two VH-60N "Whitehawks" arrived as did the three CH-47D Chinooks. They had all flown up from Northolt in formation with two Met Police helicopters. On their way to Stansted they used a UK Police callsign; GMPSA (The other Police helo was G-MPSB). Not sure what callsigns were used on their way out of Stansted.

For completeness here are the serials etc. of the CH-47D Chinooks and the VH-60N's;

CH-47D Chinook (88-0) 106 5-158th Avn
CH-47D Chinook (89-0) 141 5-158th Avn
CH-47D Chinook (89-0) 144 5-158th Avn

VH-60N 'Whitehawks' 163261 HMX-1
VH-60N 'Whitehawks' 163262 HMX-1

Apparently the reason VH-60N "Whitehawks" were brought to the UK in favour of the VH-3D is because the VH-60N's have a night vision goggle capability, which the VH-3's don't.

From Eastern England the E-4B 40787 (74-0787) 1st ACCS/55th Wing c/sign BREWER 84 was flying civil airways and was seen from Hopton-on-Sea trailing eastbound from Cromer on it's way to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. The E-4B should come across to Mildenhall later this week when President Obama heads off to Strasbourg.

1st April 2009;

Mildenhall;

C-32A 80001 (98-0001) 89th Airlift Wing c/sign VENUS 91 (Positioned up from Stansted ?)
 

Regards, Roger

Hopton, Norfolk
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org

The following aircraft are now in the UK in preparation to the support of Barak Obama when he arrives at Stansted on 31st March;

Northolt;
There are three US Army CH-47D's here which are from 5-158 Avn at Ansbach, Germany which are;

CH-47D Chinook (88-0) 106 5-158th Avn
CH-47D Chinook (89-0) 141 5-158th Avn
CH-47D Chinook (89-0) 144 5-158th Avn

They only carry the 'last three' of their serials painted on the aircraft, I am told by a person who has inspected them closely.

US Marine Corps - HMX-1;

VH-3D Sea King 163261 HMX-1
VH-3D Sea King 163262 HMX-1

The Chinooks and the VH-3D's all flew from Northolt to Stansted today, then went to the Excel Conference Centre before returning to RAF Northolt.

At Mildenhall the following arrived today;
C-5A Galaxy 90008 (69-0008) New York ANG c/sign REACH 360 - Brought the two presidential 'Limo's' and some of the Secret Service 4 x 4 vehicles.

This was followed by a C-17A Globemaster III serial not known yet (will have it by tomorrow) which brought in some more Secret Service 4 x 4's and some other vehicles and kit.

Another visitor to both Northolt and Mildenhall was C-17A 00532 (90-0532) 97th AMW at Altus AFB c/sign REACH 362 which had brought in the two VH-3D Sea King helicopters to RAF Northolt before positioning to Mildenhall. It departed Mildenhall today for the USA.

President Obama is still due to arrive on 31st March in a VC-25A at Stansted accompanied by two C-32A's (Military Boeing 757's) and a civil chartered Boeing 747.

We have yet to see where the secretive C-20C Gulfstream III will deploy to (Mildenhall or Northolt would be my guess - my favourite would be Mildenhall) and it will be interesting to see if the E-4B turns up at Mildenhall from Offutt.

It looks as if the HH-60G PAVE Hawks from Lakenheath may not now be involved - we shall see.
 

Regards, Roger

Hopton, Norfolk
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org

Friday 27/3/09 - G20 Conference Visitors

 

Many thanks to Steve Hildreth for this list, should give us an idea of what's in for the G20 Conference where;

LGW = London Gatwick. LHR = London Heathrow

Argentina – Aerolineas Argentinas A343 to LGW 1st April
Australia – it now seems will bring a B737BBJ after all (due LGW 28th March)
Brazil – will apparently bring no less than four aircraft including the A319CJ & a B732 (due LGW 29th March)
Canada – CC-150 (A313) to LGW 31st March
China – Air China B744 to LGW 1st April
Czech Republic – A319CJ to Northolt
Egypt – A342 SU-GGG – destination TBA (was LGW)
France – the A319CJ to Luton
Germany – GAF A313 expected to use Stansted inbound as well as outbound
India – Air India B744 to LGW 31st March
Indonesia – type changed to A333 & due at LGW
Italy – A319CJ to Stansted
Japan – JASDF B744s 20-1101/02 to LGW 1st April
Mexico – the B752 TP-01 will go to LHR
Netherlands – Fk70 PH-KBX to LGW
Russia – One Il-76, two Il-62's, two Il-96's & three Tu-154's into Stansted!
Saudi Arabia – expected to use several aircraft as well as the B744 into Stansted
Singapore - TBA
South Africa – B737BBJ ZS-RSA to LGW
South Korea – Asiana B744 to LGW 31st March
Spain – to operate an A310 into Luton
Thailand – B734 to LGW – cancelled?
Turkey – A319CJ TC-ANA to Luton
USA - One VC-25A & two C-32As plus a pair of H-60s along with a United B747,

however, still no firm news of where the VH-3D Sea Kings will be brought into. Some say Northolt and others Mildenhall. No mention yet of the E-4B from Offutt or where the C-20/C-37 Gulfstream's will deploy to. Mildenhall seems favourite for the E-4B but the Gulfstreams could go to Northolt as Obama will be mainly London based during his visit.
The VC-25A may well 'lodge' at Mildenhall after dropping off Obama at Stansted.

 

Regards, Roger

Hopton, Norfolk
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org

Thursday 26/3/09 - President Obama Visit Support Update

 

I promised to keep you in touch into what has been going on to support the President Barak Obama visit to the UK. He is still scheduled to arrive at Stansted Airport in one of the presidential VC-25A aircraft (Converted Boeing 747) on 31st March. I have no time for that arrival yet.

On Sunday 22nd March a C-17A Globemaster 10196 of the 437th Airlift Wing landed at Stansted Airport and was parked-up by the 'Harrods' hangar. It is believed it brought in support equipment (probably ground equipment etc. for the VC-25A) ready for the President's visit.

There has been a C-5A Galaxy 70-0447 from the 445 Airlift Wing in at Lakenheath which departed today as REACH 357. The purpose of it's visit is not clear but there are rumours that it brought in VH-3D Sea King presidential helicopters. I should point out that none of these helicopters has been seen or reported. My information was that they would be flown into RAF Mildenhall.

The US Army have begun to arrive at RAF Northolt in the form of a C-47 Chinook 00142 (89-0142) of the 158th Aviation Regiment from Ansbach in Germany.

I believe we shall see more Obama visit related activity over the weekend.
 

Regards, Roger

Hopton, Norfolk
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org

Wednesday 25/3/09 - RAF Lakenheath - Suspect Package Scare

 

If you are making your way to RAF Lakenheath you'll probably not get there as the road around the base has been closed. I have been told that a "suspect package" has been discovered close to No.1 Gate and that there is now a 500 metre exclusion zone around it. Lots of traffic jams I'm told, with Suffolk Police re-directing traffic. Royal Logistics Corps Bomb Disposal is on it's way from Colchester to deal with the "suspect package".

It was originally put out on a local radio station that this was an exercise - IT IS NOT !!

The BBC Radio Suffolk website has the details

 

Regards, Roger

Hopton, Norfolk
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org

Sunday 22/3/09 - Bentwaters Activity

 

Doing aerobatics was a Strikemaster mk84
G-MXPH/311 in Singapore Air Force markings at 13.30

Noted doing four overshoots was a
Gnat T.1 G-RORI/XR538 coded '01' at 15.30 - 15.40

Also doing a couple of fly overs was Maurice Hammonds P-51D G-MRLL/413521 around mid afternoon.

Nice to see the place so busy !!

Cheers, Graham G

Wangford, Suffolk

Tuesday 24/2/09 - Low Apache Over Lowestoft

 

First seen over Ellough (confirmed by a pilot there) before flying over South Lowestoft (at 13:25) was WAH-64 Apache ZJ215.
I was at the Old Rifle Range at Pakefield (just South of Lowestoft) flying model aircraft with the Phoenix Model Flying Club, we heard a Heli in the area so kept an eye out for safety reasons when he popped over the cliffs. He spotted what we were doing then came and gave us a couple of passes over our runway and gave a brief display. Very impressive!
He was also seen over the Blundeston area by Roger and over Radar Lodge by Frank & Gail Browne before flying down the coast to Pakefield.

Details have been confirmed as WAH-64D Apache AH.1 from 3 Regt at Wattisham.
(From Roger...The serial is confirmed as ZJ215 and the callsign was ARMY AIR 306. Some people who have the SBS sets logged him down at 40 feet AMSL - That's low !!)

I confirmed the serial with a few "close" photos.

 

Cheers, Andy
Lowestoft Aviation Society - Suffolk's Eyes on the Skies
www.lowestoftaviationsociety.org