Lyneham 2009

[gwoof]

Now my local airfield having been away from the Wirral for more years than care to count. Not managed as many visits last year as previous but caught a few things in the circuit. Also managed to get in for 2 families days which I will cover separately.

Year started nicely with the ETPS BAC-11


then some MC-130 circuits


an 8 Flt A-109 while I was on the way to Warminster


got a heads up that two Gnats were practising at nearby Wroughton and coming in for fuel



also about the same Saturday lunchtime a C-130J with probe, which until this year was rare


followed totally unexpectedly by a Sentinel!


finally a Tonka playing on Salisbury Plain and coming back for fuel


I certainly missed far more than I managed to photograph this year!! I'll cover some of the families day's stuff another day.

[CloudWarrior]

Nice.
Love the Red Arrows Gnat.

[Deleted]

I'll second that. What are the dark patches on the C130J? Looks like they've cannibalized one of the others to keep it in the air.

[gwoof]

The dark patches are a form of "sticky tape" applied to protect the fuselage from rough field landings, especially in sandy places. They are also present on the green painted airframes but are not always so obvious.

They are applied to both the Ks and Js and I think I spend too much time at Lyneham

[Biggles]

How come the RAF 130`s get sticky tape and the USAF 130`s appear not to have to have that done ? surely not just financial I hope.

[Deleted]

Thanks for that gwoof. I suppose the RAF are more concerned with functionality rather than looks.

Biggles, it could be that money is no object to the Americans and under the current climate it may also be helping to keep workers in employment. So, if President Obama has anything to do with it he won't be sanctioning anything that will prolong the life of these parts or the aircraft.

[gwoof]

You also have to take in to account the size of the fleet. We are down to our last 14 K models, it is due to go down to 9 next year and that includes the 3 special forces C.1s. We also have 24 Js. So anything that cuts down on maintenance or down time improves usage.

There have been many occasions recently when I have driven past Lyneham and you could count the number of C-130s on one hand.

The guys and girls there work very hard and despite living under the flightpath for almost 30 years I still look up every time I see one and I still take lots of pics on the approach when I get the chance ;D

[Biggles]

The demise of our armed forces but in particular the reduction of RAF Squadrons, bases and aircraft is nothing less than discraceful.

[ronturner]

Unfortunately, its the same over here, but perhaps not to the same extent..yet, as the defence of France remains a top priority of the governmen....for the time being

The French Army are closing several large bases, one of them not far from me at Fontenay Le Comte. Until recently, all French departments had a fighter squadron allocated to its defence. The Vendee squadron, our squadron, actually based at Orange, has been disbanded. This is partly because the French hate the Vendéens, and vice versa, but its also part of a greater movement. I believe Cambrai is going soon with at least two more to follow.

By the way, if ever you want to see a real top gun type movie, but without all the silly Tom Cruise stuff try to get hold of a copy of "Les Chevaliers du Ciel" Fantastic flying with all done by the now disbanded Vendée Squadron. You should be able to find a copy with English Language or sub titles.

[Biggles]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QYX4uCUU48&feature=related

Loads of clips on You Tube for this film Ron,

[ronturner]

Great, I didn't realise this kind of thing was on you tube. Looking at the clips has enthused me to dig out the video and play it again this afternoon.
A bientot.