Warton 1 February 2024

[plug]

Second flight of ZR520, Chipmunk touch-and-go, and departure to Athens of the Saudi C-130 that arrived on 30 Jan.

ZR520 QA419 Typhoon by Dan Sprague, on Flickr

ZR520 QA419 Typhoon by Dan Sprague, on Flickr

ZR520 QA419 Typhoon by Dan Sprague, on Flickr

ZR520 QA419 Typhoon by Dan Sprague, on Flickr

G-BXIA WB615 DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 by Dan Sprague, on Flickr

1623 C-130H by Dan Sprague, on Flickr

1623 C-130H by Dan Sprague, on Flickr

1623 C-130H by Dan Sprague, on Flickr

[colport]

Great photos, thank you so much for sharing - would love to get more reliable information about these aircraft departure and arrival movements, beyond being lucky and spotting on Flightradar etc.

[plug]

Thanks. I don't have any inside information on movements, so I always look at FR24 arrivals/departures for the following day. There is no discernible pattern to the Typhoon flights, although I would say that in general they don't fly on Mondays. Friday mornings used to be reliably good, but less so over the past 6 months or so. I am fortunate in that I live a few miles away so can hear them take off and I can usually get there in time to see the landing. The Typhoons don't fly in very strong winds, especially crosswinds. Westerly winds leading to use of runway 25 are best for photos. My photos have improved since I started to use a tall ladder, although I do worry about falling off!

[colport]

Oh crikey, take care of yourself 🫣 I live just over on the other side of the estuary, so hear a lot. A middle-eastern C-130 landed yesterday (I think), and flew over on finals. Not showing on FR as ‘on the ground’, but sure that it is there. Wasn’t quick enough to get the camera out.

[plug]

Yes it was a Saudi C-130, likely to stay for two nights. You might already be aware, but the Warton section of the Fighter Control forum has an excellent daily record of Warton movements.