Apache evenings

[gary1701]

Gents,

Another update from this evening, including the Marine Wildcats that have been doing the rounds between Wattisham and STANTA. I had to guess which way these guys would depart, and for once I guessed right.





'Prowler' with a early rolling touchdown. Looks like they're cut the grass recently which doesn't help.





'Hunter' taxiing out via the old SAR hangar for a roller.







Gary

[WinchesterMGF]

Very nice Gary, pinsharp as always. Glad you caught the Wildcats.

[paddyboy]

Cracking pair of Wildcats there, Gary

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[TeeJay]

Cracking set Gary I really must get down there again

[Imac]

Another top set Gary Great quality Thanks for posting and watching out for low flying cyclists, keep safe

Ian

[gary1701]

Thanks gents. I'm quite surprised about the Wildcats as they were some distance - 400mm and a crop on my 12 year old Canon 100-400 Mk 1. One of these days there's going to be a accident in the country lanes around Wattisham. They use the lanes for time trials, so the guys are obviously attempting to better their times, which to me is dangerous on such narrow, twisty country lanes. I drive slow and carefully but what can you do when some idiot comes sweeping around a blind corner downhill on the wrong side of the road directly in front of you, only jamming the brakes on avoided him ending up on my bonnet as he swerved around me! That happened recently and is not a isolated case. Cyclists may have just the same right as motorists to be on the roads but that doesn't excuse stupid behaviour.

Gary

[gary1701]

Gents,

This evenings offering once the afternoon clouds had cleared. I was hoping one of the Merlins that had been in and out during the day might come back but that was always a little optimistic. Still, the Chinook in for a quick running refuel made up for it, plus one of the locals.











Gary

[markranger]

Lovely set of images Fella.
Mark.

[Tim Holden]

Nice shots Gary.

Glad they are back on 23. There was a navy Merlin that sneaked in yesterday morning but I missed it. There was also a Chinook yesterday evening. Not sure why there are so few visitors you would think that the V22's would jump at the chance to cross train with Apaches. There would be no greater friend to them if they ever had to fight their way into a hot LZ! Maybe we would get a few more fast jets if the runway was not in such a poor condition.

[gary1701]

Hi Tim,

Yeah, the Chinook was the one above, the Merlins were in a couple of times but as the light and angles were bad I didn't bother trying it. Funny thing about the Ospreys, never seen one at Wattisham except for last years families day, believe they've been in on previous ones as well. I have been told that they have occasionally shot approaches here and I doubt ATC would have any problems with it, as they're mostly bored and a couple of the guys I believe are quite aviation friendly and would jump at the chance for something slightly out of the ordinary.

I have heard that there is some speculation that the runway may receive some attention, but to be honest I'll believe it when I see it. Whilst everything points to the AH force staying at Wattisham for the long term now, despite all the rumours that were floating around a few years ago, I can't see them spending a lot of money on something that isn't really necessary.

Gary

[gary1701]

Gents,

Further efforts from a evening that started rather poor and cloudy but improved. Tim and myself split up, I took the 'Machete' pair heading for the main runway whilst Tim went further up the fence to get the singleton heading for the FARP on the North side. Initially, I thought I'd got it wrong as Machete made two circuits, approaching high and landing long. Then, Machete 1 decided to come over North side and pulled up directly in front of the gate - great positioning. It's been years since I've had one do that.











Machete 1 running out after turning.



The singleton directly over the gate that was landing on the taxiway further up for the FARP. Hopefully Tim has got him at a better angle.



The solo that arrived earlier with a more conventional landing.





Gary

[gary1701]

Gents,

A little bit of fun tonight with Hunter section. Departing early evening, they flew the complete sortie just a couple of miles away at Rattlesden, with what looked like a CAS wheel over the airfield and gliding site there. When they came back it was too late for the normal shots, so went the other side for the arty stuff. Unlike somewhere like Coningsby, where over the years I've had a lot of success with these shots, the geography of Wattisham isn't really suitable, but it turned out better than expected.





Hunter 1 downwind with a final circuit.



Oh, and a couple of routine shots from earlier.





Gary

[gary1701]

Gents,

Couple so far from tonight's efforts. Change of runway direction does mess things up a little. Slayer and Gunship went out as pairs early on, initially heading South. One pair were over Shotely for a while as ATC called them to say that they were disturbing animals giving birth! Then both pairs came back just a mile or so apart, crossing across the Northern skyline as they headed for 05.

Slayer in the lead.



With Gunship not far behind. Pity you can't really get any decent angles shooting across from the Southern side as they land on 05.



More regular pics to follow.

For serials Gunship 1 was ZJ195, 2 was either 218 or 219, still can't read it on a large monitor. Slayer 1 was ZJ231, 2 was ZJ210 (despite ADS-B saying ZJ211).

Gary

[gary1701]

Gents,

Couple other examples from last night. Army Air 319 turning over the North side road during circuits.





A little bit of action from this evening. I thought they no longer did wing overs as part of the general handing around the field as I hadn't seen one do it for a long time, also I can usually hear the blades slapping from home when they're doing it. Well I popped up this evening and Viper 1 was pulling wingovers North side as I got there. I only got the one shot at it and judging where they're going to pull up is key. In the old days I would chase them up the road!





Same aircraft with some more conventional landings.





Finally for this week, Prowler 2 coming off the end of 23.



Gary

[Seacat192]

Fantastic series of posts here Gary.

Thanks for posting.


Roger

(Feel free to send more to Yeovilton...……………………..)

[TeeJay]

Top set Gary, love the sunset ones mate
Take care
Trev

[gary1701]

Here you go gents, a few more from this evening with some nice clouds and runway changes.







Gunship 4 looked good in golden hour.





Gary

[LN Strike Eagle]

The light on the last two - wow!