Spadeadam - distant Apache flares Thurs 14th Feb

[catkins]

While out walking on Hadrian's Wall I had sight of one or possibly two Tornado's in the range area, with one heading south east out of range in direction of Blanchland/Stanhope.
Later, in the early afternoon, there was at least one Apache which may have had the callsign Winston One One was using the range - this included three flare releases, one against a Smokey Sam. When finished at Wiley Sike it was then using the forest area to the east of the range.

A very poor composite photo taken in poor overcast light and low cloud base, and from about 5½ miles away, so I'll add it here rather than into the Photo section. It released about 50 flares in this shot.

[hertsman]

Well I found that photo fascinating. Never been lucky enough to have witnessed any flare releases personally, and the photos I have seen here and elsewhere are invariably from much, much closer, and often with no terrain to provide a reference point. So, an interesting shot. Thanks for posting it here as a record of something I suspect many of us do not get to see often.

hertsman

[catkins]

Thanks for that hertsman - this was taking it a little to extremes but as you say, it sometimes is quite interesting to see the terrain as well. It was difficult to spot the Apache even with the 400mm equiv. but luckily it did three similar runs that I saw with flares, so I was able to aim at roughly the right spot! Would have been good to be at Wiley Sike though - not sure if any of the the Thursday Boys would have been there at this time of year.

[deerhunter]

Nice shot, would have loved to have seen it.

[Pune]

Fascinating image, I'm up that way at the end of next week for a while so fingers crossed....may see something!!
Thanks for posting.
Cheers
Pune

[catkins]

Fascinating image, I'm up that way at the end of next week for a while so fingers crossed....may see something!!
Thanks for posting.
Cheers
Pune

I'd heard the Apache while walking and decided I wouldn't get to Wiley Sike in time, so headed for a view that I knew overlooked the range. But certainly wished that I'd been at Wiley for this - weather didn't seem brilliant for worthwhile shots but . . .
All the best for your visit - hard to know whats going on now-a-days, but if quiet have a wander across to the 'gorge' and Crammal Linn waterfall - worth a photo, but a wet boggy path from the first car parking area on the range, so wear wellies! (and mind the landslip)

Info re Spade at http://fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewt ... ike#p58759" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - take care with soft wet road verges especially at the moment, not many passing places so keep an eye out for oncomers, and park in laybys. Wiley Sike can be used by MoD and anyone parked up asked to move on if in use.

[michael1970]

Pune

Days to avoid are Mondays alway seem very quiet. any other day you'll probably get something but not gauranteed.
These days a lot of aircraft stay very high and you can have a day hearing aircraft noise but never actually see one.
Friday is whats known as mc130 day and its the norm to get one buzzing around.
I have a rule for spade "if I get one decent pic a visit I'm happy"
Have a look at my website and you can see what can be achived with a lot of patients,

Hope your lucky