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Cobra Ball departure from Mildenhall 10.03.25.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2025 1:01 pm
by WinchesterMGF
RC-135S 61-2662 departed Mildenhall today 10.03.25 to head back home to Offutt via Bangor. It was the 1st visit by one of these fab things since August 2019.
ImageIMG_1837 by Andrew St Edmunds, on Flickr
ImageIMG_1846 by Andrew St Edmunds, on Flickr

Re: Cobra Ball departure from Mildenhall 10.03.25.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2025 1:11 pm
by slogen51
Nice

Why are the engines on one side black? I did know once I think

Re: Cobra Ball departure from Mildenhall 10.03.25.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2025 1:25 pm
by WinchesterMGF
slogen51 wrote: โ†‘
Mon Mar 10, 2025 1:11 pm
Nice

Why are the engines on one side black? I did know once I think
Thanks Mike.
The starboard wing and engines are painted black to reduce the reflected glare for the onboard cameras. ๐Ÿ˜Ž

Re: Cobra Ball departure from Mildenhall 10.03.25.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2025 1:43 pm
by slogen51
Knew it

She is a classic

Re: Cobra Ball departure from Mildenhall 10.03.25.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2025 2:06 pm
by LimaHotel01
The original purpose of the black wing and engines was, as described above, to reduce glare on the mission optical sensors. Apparently with the newer digital optics now fitted the black anti-glare feature is no longer required and in fact the current optical sensors can be used for collection on either side of the aircraft. However the black wing and engines have been retained for tradition and heritage reasons. That is according to Robert S Hopkins III's book on the C-135 family and as a former Cobra Ball pilot he no doubt knows.

Kind regards,
LH01.

Re: Cobra Ball departure from Mildenhall 10.03.25.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2025 3:08 pm
by sdad
I'll have to catch the next one in 2030. Was that from Folly? Seems up early.

Re: Cobra Ball departure from Mildenhall 10.03.25.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2025 3:16 pm
by WinchesterMGF
sdad wrote: โ†‘
Mon Mar 10, 2025 3:08 pm
I'll have to catch the next one in 2030. Was that from Folly? Seems up early.
It used the rwy10 under run and I caught it just down from Folly on the main drag - a bit more open and no fences.

Re: Cobra Ball departure from Mildenhall 10.03.25.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2025 3:53 pm
by Marham1564
Nice photo's mate got a good video down near AW as she turned

Re: Cobra Ball departure from Mildenhall 10.03.25.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2025 5:07 pm
by Proteus
Nice picture, itโ€™s circumnavigated the globe in the last 2 months. I was lucky enough to know people who were crew for the ball in the seventies for anyone who wants to know the history of the ball have a look here. http://www.rc135.com/0000/INDEX.HTM

Re: Cobra Ball departure from Mildenhall 10.03.25.

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2025 4:39 am
by paddyboy
Cracking pair of shots there, Andrew :thumbs:

Well done and thanks for posting :thumb:

Paddyboy :clap: