C.130 - Stick of Twelve Para's, High Up, Late Afternoon

[Hornchurch]

' (Mod's - Please feel free to move this to whichever appropriate section...) - Title now changed, as it wuz clearly R.A.F - 'my bad'



Was outside today, working on my old 41/42 year-old Suzuki GS.1000, when a USAF MC.130 circled gently for the 2nd time.

Watching as it passed over our house, to the East (side), it appeared that something fell from the plane as I watched.

Suddenly, it unleashed a stick of TWELVE U.S. troops, somewhere around 8,000ft - (I regularly see 'Strix' flights, over here & use ADS-B)

Gradually, despite the strong prevailing Westerly-winds, they eventually drew more or less together, as the MC.130 circled at a safe distance.


Now, I've seen these lads jumping out over Sculthorpe itself, over the old base, but, never THIS far West, or, anywhere near that high before.

Was great to watch & the distance involved (to Sculthorpe, to the East of us), is notable, so the strong winds must've been well-planned.


Anyways, I did go to look at the 'Movements' section, but, saw no-mention of this (what I presume ?), was a USAF "Strix" flight ?

The Para' jump took place around 16.55-17:15hrs late this afternoon - No laptop or watch, so it's just a guesstimate.

Was wondering "if" anyone-else in our vicinity of North Norfolk saw it, or, "if" anyone knows the call-sign of the a/c involved ?

The jump took-place over Hillington/Harpley area, along/above the A.148 area, slightly to the South (Be nice to know the a/c involved)


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[100arw]

I think you will find it was a Brize C130. Been dropping HAHO there for a few days.
P.

[slogen51]

I think that is correct as Omen 1 was in the area and he mentioned on Marham zone that the parachutes would be coming further west towards Marham

Omen 1 was showing as ZH870 on tracking sites

[C24]

I’m surprised that you didn’t hear them as they left the aircraft

“Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it’s off to work we go...”

[Hawkwind26]

How did you identify them as U.S. paratroopers please, by the type and colour of the canopies / chutes?

[Reach1985]

How did you identify them as U.S. paratroopers please, by the type and colour of the canopies / chutes?

I’m guessing because Sculthorpe is used by the US special ops guys most days of the week for training of various types (including para drop) where as the RAF are rarer visitors. & at 10-12K foot without binoculars I’d be hard pressed to differentiate between a MC-130 & a C-130 depending on weather etc. :-)

[C24]

I thought that this might be of interest

It is the “normal “ one for the USAF Stix people

H2659/20: Exercises will take place

Q) EGTT/QWELW/IV/BO/W/000/037/5251N00046E005
TACTICAL LANDINGS. MIL ACFT WILL CONDUCT TACTICAL CIRCUITS AND
LANDINGS WI 5NM RADIUS 525046N 0004600E (SCULTHORPE AD, NORFOLK).
FOR INFO 280.025MHZ / 122.100MHZ / 07970 363249 / 07791 573562 /
01993 896500. 2020-07-0336/AS1
LOWER: Surface
UPPER: 3,700 Feet AMSL
FROM: 26 Jul 2020 06:00 GMT (07:00 BST)
TO: 31 Jul 2030 23:59 GMT (01 Aug 00:59 BST)


SCHEDULE: 0600-2359
86) Posted 24 Jul 2020 09:35 GMT (10:35 BST) Tick here to remove this NOTAM from the maps and emails

AND

H2661/20: Parachute jumping will take place

Q) EGTT/QWPLW/IV/M/W/000/250/5251N00046E018
PJE WI 18NM RADIUS 525046N 0004600E (SCULTHORPE, NORFOLK). DROP
CONTAINED WI FLW CONE (ALL HGT AMSL): SFC-3000FT 3NM RADIUS,
3001-6000FT 6NM RADIUS, 6001-9000FT 9NM RADIUS, 9001-12000FT 12NM
RADIUS, 12001-15000FT 15NM RADIUS, 15001-25000FT 18NM RADIUS. ACN
2020-07-0064 REFERS. FOR INFO 01993 895052 OR 07970 363249.
2020-07-0337/AS4
LOWER: Surface
UPPER: 25,000 Feet AMSL
FROM: 26 Jul 2020 06:00 GMT (07:00 BST)
TO: 31 Jul 2020 23:59 GMT (01 Aug 00:59 BST)
SCHEDULE: 0600-2359
71) Posted 24 Jul 2020 11:05 GMT (12:05 BST) Tick here to remove this NOTAM from the maps and emails

Edited Sunday, 26th

The two notams were posted to illustrate the differences between the two types of operations.

[100arw]

I think you will find the normal Strix one does not have a Brize Ops number.
Also the DZ Safety Officer was a Chameleon usual.
P.

[Hornchurch]

'


Hello Guys & apologies for not getting back to here sooner. (Being the O.P. & suchlike)

Right, first-off, it seems that '100arw' nailed it first-off, with his initial-reply.... (below)

I think you will find it was a Brize C130. Been dropping HAHO there for a few days. P
.

Then slogen51 nailed it, with what is now seemingly obvious as the correct call-sign & candidate..... (below)

I think that is correct as Omen 1 was in the area and he mentioned on Marham zone that the parachutes would be coming further west towards Marham

Omen 1 was showing as ZH870 on tracking sites

'


Now, rather interestingly enough, I'd already noted 'Omen.1' as ZH.870, but this was THE PREVIOUS NIGHT *(22nd July at 22:54 at night), over Sculthorpe

By chance, it flew overhead & I just happened to be at/near my laptop, so, I took a quick 'screenshot' (there's no site uploader here, so...)

Anyways, being as it wuz "the night before" I never even imagined that the same-ship would return again, in broad-daylight, being RAF

Now, onto Hawkwind (& 'Stacia' ?)

How did you identify them as U.S. paratroopers please, by the type and colour of the canopies / chutes?

Well, to be fair, 'REACH.1985' has absolutely nailed-it 100% (below) with pre-empting my assumption, correctly.

The only thing I'd add to his (brilliant), perception, is the phrase "FAR more rare" - (with the emphasis on 'FAR' )

I’m guessing because Sculthorpe is used by the US special ops guys most days of the week for training of various types (including para drop)

Whereas the RAF are rarer visitors.

At 10-12K foot without binoculars I’d be hard pressed to differentiate between a MC-130 & a C-130 depending on weather etc. :-)

Bang on REACH, you hit the bulls-eye mate ; I'd made a wrong-assumption, purely because 'STRIX' flights ARE as common as 'dog$h!t' over here **

** (but seemingly, far less offensive !) - Our part of Norfolk is positively teeming with them, most weekdays - (Thankfully )

Initially, I was concentrating FAR more on my 41/42 year old Suzuki, than I ever would be on any 'regular-occurence' C.130 (but I still love 'em)

Whilst I'm naturally 'A Londoner', I've lived up here for some 25-years now & am relatively near/on/nearby/or-around Sculthorpe.

I've been tractor-mowing the field / playing lawn-bowls (at nearby Hougton-Hall) / Eating Chinese takeaway / Walking the Dawg, you name it....

Even been out idling around on my Kawasaki & had them literally over my head - They're almost always 'USAF' at neighbouring Sculthorpe !

If it's not a V.22 Osprey over there, it's nigh-on always a USAF Herc', besides, over the last 18-months, I've been using ADS-Bx, to "I.D." them (all)

Whilst "seeing chutes" is nothing unusual around here (from C.130's), it IS very unusual to see them SO far across, to the West AND at significant altitude**

** Hence my initial-post.

Apologies to all for 'mis-identifying' the nation-involved (whoops

Perhaps I'm just a born-jaded-cynic, eh ?

Blame it on the showing of IX.Sqdn during 'Excercise-Excalibur' (back in Aug' 2005 - over at nearby RAF Holbeach)

They were SO 'tight-fisted' with the expenditure of their cannon-ammo', with each pass (compared to the Yanks), that it was embarrassing !

What I'm saying is, due to our nation's Gov't "cutbacks" (always cut to the bone & beyond), it's no-wonder that most of what I see is American in the sky

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[slogen51]

Don't worry my GP surgery didn't get back to us despite having made appointments for two phone calls. ( We can't actually visit a GP due to covid restrictions).

From memory Omen 1 was in the area for three maybe four consecutive afternoons.

[johnwayne]

Brilliant post 'Horny' . Get writing your autobiography & put me down for a copy . Perhaps we could have a roll-up at Houghton Hall next time I'm up your way . Scully's busier than it was in the latter years when it was 'open' ! Always been one of my favourite bases over the many decades I've visited usually on hols on the N.Norfolk coast sampling Woodfordes Wherry . The 4(usually) MC130's for the annual Flintlock Ex 70/80's one of many standouts . And what an iconic tower now sadly becoming delapidated . Aah memories . Oh rambling again sorry.

[Philly1971]

I might be coming past Sculthorpe next Thursday as we have a few days Holiday on the North Norfolk coast. Is there a safe place to stop and view the runway?

[johnwayne]

I might be coming past Sculthorpe next Thursday as we have a few days Holiday on the North Norfolk coast. Is there a safe place to stop and view the runway?

Scullys not that easy but layby on A148 just east of junction with B1454 was always a good spot though I think less gap in hedgerow these days . (locals may have other suggestions)
Also this may interest you - Muckleburgh Collection mil museum nr. Weybourne . Worth a visit anytime but watching FAC exercise is a bonus
663/20: Exercises will take place
Q) EGTT/QWELW/IV/BO/W/000/200/5257N00107E007
AIR EXER. MULTIPLE FAST JET ACFT WILL CONDUCT HIGH ENERGY
MANOEUVRES IN SUPPORT OF GROUND OPS WI 7NM RADIUS 525654N 0010725E
(MUCKLEBURGH, NORFOLK). PROFILES MAY INVOLVE DYNAMIC LATERAL AND
VERTICAL MANOEUVRING OF AIRCRAFT AT SPEEDS OF UP TO 450 KNOTS IAS.
ACFT MAY BE UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH RAC. FOR FURTHER INFO AIC
Y042/2020 REFERS. OPS CTC 269.250MHZ / 257.975MHZ / 07899570314.
2020-07-0338/AS4
LOWER: Surface, UPPER: 20,000 Feet AMSL
FROM: 27 Jul 2020 10:00 GMT (11:00 BST) TO: 31 Jul 2020 14:30 GMT (15:30 BST)
SCHEDULE: 1000-1430

[Philly1971]

Many thanks for the reply and information about Muckleburgh JW. I was planning on taking a trip to Holbeach on Thursday morning but is seems it may be that Muckleburgh may be the better option!

[Hornchurch]

Many thanks for the reply and information about Muckleburgh JW.

I was planning on taking a trip to Holbeach on Thursday morning but is seems it may be that Muckleburgh may be the better option !

.


J.W. has put in a couple of excellent posts there, oh & BTW - J.W - I ain't forgotten ya, or your kind-words ; I'll get back to you

Wanted to chime-in & 'double-up' on J.W's fine suggestion, regarding Muckleburgh. Great museum & suave vehicles ("if" open)

Now, don't laugh - Ya don't NEED to be an 'Anorak' or a 'train-nerd', BUT........ (it helps, Pwhahahahaa )


No, seriously (jesting aside), Mucklebugh ALSO has one of the finest OLD 'nostalgia-trippy 1920's/1930's Railway Stations in the U.K.

They also have some serious, serious quality OLD Railway-Loco's from the 1920's/1930's/1940's/1950's AND 1960's **

** (Think the corporation which gave you the Handley-Page-Halifax WW.II Bomber, plus the F.3/F.6 Lightning (bow-down/reverence !)

It's a quality place to visit AND (Heresy, here), USUALLY, on most-days, it's even more enjoyable than the tank-musuem (atmospheric)

I sincerely do NOT know whether either place will be open or not (haven't looked, as I've just got out the bath), but if they are.....

Usually, when 'Covid.19' isn't running-rife, both places are cert' worth a visit.

If you DO go to the village-station (it's FREE), you'll see some nostalgia, plus, a walk along the NORTHERN platform (shade), you'll see engines (many)

I used to park my Kawasaki by the water-tower (by the bridge) & just stroll-in, camera in hand.


https://flic.kr/p/259y7NS



Sheringham (interesting neighbouring coastal-town, next-door), has a larger station (same line), plus loadsa Pubs (Grog)

Fish n' Chips, plus a small, but nice sea-views too.

BTW ; I'll answer your call on the 'Sculthorpe/where to' in my next-post - (otherwise, ya might get "flattened" on the A.148

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[100arw]

The Brize 0man C130 has just been up again at Sculthorpe and now returning to Brize to collect a fresh crew.
P.

[paddyboy]

As far as the railway is concerned, that''s the 'Poppy Line', otherwise known as the North Norfolk Railway

Currently, that railway station with the loco-sheds (Weybourne) is closed to the public, and the other 2 stations are only open to paying travellers and staff

I am a volunteer on the NNR, by the way, which is how I know

Just wanted to save you a wasted trip

Paddyboy

[Agent K]

Hello Guys & apologies for not getting back to here sooner. (Being the O.P. & suchlike)

Right, first-off, it seems t...….

If Carlsberg did responses!..... well written, correct English, grammar, punctuation et al! and amusing too...….. thank you!

[Philly1971]

Many thanks for the further info Horny & Paddy (Think I have just come up with a decent sitcom Name there!). We are staying a bit further down the coast at Brancaster, so might have to sup my Woodford Wherries nearer base, but I might persuade the misses to do a bit of coastal walking from Weybourne, just so we can keep our eye out for any FAC activity at Muckleburgh. Anyone know if there has been any activity so far this week? Was at Lakenheath on Monday and I think Slogen had posted that a single F15 had departed to the Muckleburgh area, but I must confess I had assumed the FAC excercise would be Army & RAF & it hadn’t occurred that the USAF could be involved

[Hornchurch]

As far as the railway is concerned, that''s the 'Poppy Line', otherwise known as the North Norfolk Railway

Currently, that railway station with the loco-sheds (Weybourne) is closed to the public, and the other 2 stations are only open to paying travellers and staff

I am a volunteer on the NNR, by the way, which is how I know

Just wanted to save you a wasted trip

Paddyboy

'


Yes ; That's the one I was referring to Paddy & thanks for the update - I went on the 'wrong' assumption that, since 'Lockdown' eased slightly, it MIGHT be running.

On any 'normal' regular (non-coronavirus) day, it's a fascinating place to visit & to me at least, feels rather like a timewarp & def' worth a visit.

Thanks for the update - AND - should it get to reopen, DO then give us all a "shout" on here, as a "heads-up".

.