Whale watching in the UK

[Wigzy]

<t>These loud and smokey J-57 powered monsters were welcome visitors from Rota and when supporting annual NATO maritime exercises. The visit of VQ-2's 'JQ-12' to the 'hall was particularly memorable. While taxying to 29 pilot asked Tower if a VIP was due in as a sizable crowd were lining the fence. Told they were 'harmless plane crazies' looking at him he requested clearance to do a 360 upon takeoff followed by a low fast pass. Denied, he was cleared to climb straight out and contact Eastern Radar so, naturally, he did a 360 upon takeoff followed by a low fast pass! Tower was very upset, pointed out that this was an Air Force installation and unsafe flying by another service's transient was totally unacceptable and would be reported. No response from JQ-12 whose distant twin smoke trails were observed turning south towards sunny Spain and friendlier naval faces.</t>

13. 1979-07-15 038-009 144850 EA-3B VQ-2 by John Wigzell, on Flickr

14. 1979-07-15 038-012 EA-3B VQ-2 taxying by John Wigzell, on Flickr

14A. 1979-07-15 038-013 144850 EA-3B VQ-2 flyby by John Wigzell, on Flickr

For more visiting whales see

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmp1oyHb

[Punkrunner62]

Absolutely belting post, any more please, bring them on!
Cheers.

[F3]

Now that 's something you don't see everyday!

[Ratrace]

Wowser, what beauties!

[paddyboy]

Hi John

WOW

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[dragonchaser]

Super post, great looking aircraft I remember these well.

[jem60]

Yes, also remember these. Apparently A3D was an acronym meaning 'all three dead' if you had a duff catapult launch, there was no chance of ejecting.

[Seahawk 11]

What a great set of photos, I used to love seeing and hearing these back in the day, thanks for sharing them,
Rob

[steved]

Fantastic post. And even more of so many variations on your Flickr feed.

[100arw]

Making fun of the loss of 7 crew?

[jem60]

Absolutely not!!. Something I would never do!, as those that know me would realise!. I'm sorry if anyone interpreted it that way, tho' I can see how. It was a quote from a a book about the Skywarrior referring to 'cold' catapult shots. Aviation is full of acronyms, and this was simply an unfortunate one.

[Knife 04]

Another cracking post John and as Steved said even more over on flickr

Thanks for posting up

Darren

[PeteF]

John,

Nice to see that you are sharing your old pics and hope you are keeping well in sunny Florida.
Keep posting

Pete

[Wigzy]

Thanks Pete. Still at it but missed RIAT. Sob! Looks like it's cooler over here in SoFla than it is with you. HAS' may give way to sunshades perhaps? Will post some more soon. Best.....