Post by viscount on Jun 11, 2010 19:13:33 GMT 1
RAF Valley, Friday 11th June 2010, 0915-1530
With a steady north-westerly wind, went directly to the south end as 31 was the active. Didn't bother to drive up to the north end as VAS coud be seen to be empty. Weather warmed up slowly during the day as the cloud thinned. Snowdonia peaks kept their hat on all day.
Visiting Aircraft
Had hoped to arrive in time to see the Manx2 Let 410 on the Cardiff run, but either it did not operate or I was too late due to traffic delays on Runcorn Bridge and Pen-y-Clip Tunnels.
At 1040 four French Air Force Alpha Jets arrived. They parked on the home squadrons Hawk ramps. They are said to be operating from RAF Valley all next week, heading home on Friday 18th. Unfortunately they were not accompanied by a transport aircraft.
E.20 705-MS
E.22 705-LS
E.82 705-LW
E.104 705-TG
At 1430 four Grob G.109B Vigilant T.1s arrived together. The parked on the VAS apron. Would appear to all be aircraft from 612 VGS, Abingdon.
ZH121/TG
ZH265/UX
ZH268/SA
ZH890/SE
A single Squirrel HT.1 of DHFS arrived 1445, departing 1510. Appeared to park on 22 Sqdn/SARTU ramp.
ZJ257/57
A rumour from a local is that Chinook(s) will be operating in the MTA next week, with day and night flying, calling at Valley for fuel when required.
Resident Aircraft
Hawk T.2 ZK026 departed 1345 as "Stampede". Arrived back at 1440 as a pair with ZK025 - presumably collected from Warton or Shawbury.
The Hawk T.1 XX263 in special anniversary/solo display colours left at 1020, possibly as 'Victor 29' and did not return.
Four SAR Sea Kings visible way across the airfield. Only XZ597/M and another uncoded noted flying.
AW.139 ZR327/B and Bell Griffins ZJ239/R and ZJ241/L active.
Active based Hawk T.1s:
19 Sqdn marked: XX158/188/189/191/199/204/265/286/317/338 & XX324 unmarked. (=11)
208 Sqdn marked:
XX167/171/181/185/187/220/224/307 & XX263 special marks (=9)
With a steady north-westerly wind, went directly to the south end as 31 was the active. Didn't bother to drive up to the north end as VAS coud be seen to be empty. Weather warmed up slowly during the day as the cloud thinned. Snowdonia peaks kept their hat on all day.
Visiting Aircraft
Had hoped to arrive in time to see the Manx2 Let 410 on the Cardiff run, but either it did not operate or I was too late due to traffic delays on Runcorn Bridge and Pen-y-Clip Tunnels.
At 1040 four French Air Force Alpha Jets arrived. They parked on the home squadrons Hawk ramps. They are said to be operating from RAF Valley all next week, heading home on Friday 18th. Unfortunately they were not accompanied by a transport aircraft.
E.20 705-MS
E.22 705-LS
E.82 705-LW
E.104 705-TG
At 1430 four Grob G.109B Vigilant T.1s arrived together. The parked on the VAS apron. Would appear to all be aircraft from 612 VGS, Abingdon.
ZH121/TG
ZH265/UX
ZH268/SA
ZH890/SE
A single Squirrel HT.1 of DHFS arrived 1445, departing 1510. Appeared to park on 22 Sqdn/SARTU ramp.
ZJ257/57
A rumour from a local is that Chinook(s) will be operating in the MTA next week, with day and night flying, calling at Valley for fuel when required.
Resident Aircraft
Hawk T.2 ZK026 departed 1345 as "Stampede". Arrived back at 1440 as a pair with ZK025 - presumably collected from Warton or Shawbury.
The Hawk T.1 XX263 in special anniversary/solo display colours left at 1020, possibly as 'Victor 29' and did not return.
Four SAR Sea Kings visible way across the airfield. Only XZ597/M and another uncoded noted flying.
AW.139 ZR327/B and Bell Griffins ZJ239/R and ZJ241/L active.
Active based Hawk T.1s:
19 Sqdn marked: XX158/188/189/191/199/204/265/286/317/338 & XX324 unmarked. (=11)
208 Sqdn marked:
XX167/171/181/185/187/220/224/307 & XX263 special marks (=9)