Did you know that registration to Fighter Control is completely free and brings you lots of added features? Find out more....

HMS ocean in Gibraltar

Seen a military aircraft recently but NOT at one of the bases or airfields listed below? Maybe it flew over the top of you today? Need to tie up the serial? Ask in here. Requests less than 6 months old only please.
Post Reply
pj10049
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2012 7:35 pm

HMS ocean in Gibraltar

Post by pj10049 » Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:08 pm

Hi. I'm currently in Gibraltar and spotted 1 chinook at RAF Gibraltar, plus 2 Lynx, 2 more Chinooks and 4 Merlins on the deck of HMS Ocean. I know it's a long shot, but anyone know any of the serials please?

Thanks Paul

Seaking93
Posts: 584
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:39 pm
Location: Lindinis

Re: HMS ocean in Gibraltar

Post by Seaking93 » Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:39 pm

From the published pictures there are 2 X Wildcats of 847NAS, 2 X Merlin HM2, 2 X Merlin HC3(one reported as ZJ126/K), 2 X Chinook(one reported as ZA682), on radio this morning the Captain of HMS Ocean said he had 9 helicopters onboard
When Ocean left for the Med originally it had Merlin HC3A ZJ992/AB and HC3i ZJ132/Q onboard so with the other Chinook at Gib that would make 10.
In theatre at the time are the 2 Pumas and also RFA Mounts Bay,s Wildcat ZZ530

POL
Posts: 16714
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 3:26 pm

Re: HMS ocean in Gibraltar

Post by POL » Wed Sep 13, 2017 12:32 pm

From some photos posted on the FC Facebook group:

ZZ___ Wildcat
ZZ527 Wildcat
ZH835 Merlin HM2
ZH8__ Merlin HM2
(ZJ126)/K Merlin HC3
(ZJ132)/Q Merlin HC3
_____ Chinook
_____ Chinook

Seaking93
Posts: 584
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:39 pm
Location: Lindinis

Re: HMS ocean in Gibraltar

Post by Seaking93 » Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:05 pm

Thanks for the update, so I wonder what the ninth one is then?

Seaking93
Posts: 584
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:39 pm
Location: Lindinis

Re: HMS ocean in Gibraltar

Post by Seaking93 » Wed Sep 13, 2017 7:04 pm

On local tv tonight they said that there were 5 helicopters from Yeovilton onboard, there was a Merlin HC3A filmed on the hangar deck, it had a Union flag on the side which ZJ992/AB had when it left on the Ocean for the Med.

pj10049
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2012 7:35 pm

Re: HMS ocean in Gibraltar

Post by pj10049 » Wed Sep 13, 2017 9:15 pm

Hi guys, thanks for the replies. seaking, looking at my photos, there were 1 HM2 and 3 HC3's on the deck, so can another be hangared below deck, i.e. The other HM2 to make the numbers right?

Thanks Paul

Seaking93
Posts: 584
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:39 pm
Location: Lindinis

Re: HMS ocean in Gibraltar

Post by Seaking93 » Thu Sep 14, 2017 6:46 am

Despite my earlier post, it could not have been AB on the ship as it left VL late yesterday afternoon heading south west using a Navy760 call sign so going overseas

Post Reply

Return to “Recent Serial tie up area”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests