3 Aircraft

[Eccleshare1]

Anyone know the identities of the 3 aircraft seen from Retford heading towards the River Trent at 5PM today?

[Mike]

Fast-jets, prop aircraft, airliners, cargo aircraft, how many engines. warbirds, rough height, biz-jets, low wing. mid wing, high wing?

A little more info would help!

[Eccleshare1]

Brother described them as 3l large jets, so assuming military.

[Mike]

This is probably the vaguest request ever posted in this section!

How big is 'large', is it F-15 size, KC-135 size, C-17 size or C-5 size? Roughly what height were they at? Were they in formation? Did they go straight over Retford, or seen in the distance? Which direction to the River Trent from Retford as it flows from Staffordshire to where it joins the River Ouse to East of Goole?

[Eccleshare1]

Fair comment Mike and thanks for even taking the time to look and reply, which is appreciated, given the paucity of information given. The request came from my brother who, in the 40 years I have had an interest in aviation, has never shown the slightest interest in anything aircraft related and wouldn't know an F15 from a Globemaster. Having been asked if I knew what he had seen I thought I would at least try. I've been amazed at how often somebody, somewhere on FC can answer a question and identify what has been flying in a particular area so, more in hope than expectation I thought I would put a post on here to see if anyone could help. From a further request for information from him, he says the 3 aircraft he saw were flying low down and in formation and were on a heading that would take them over the River Trent from south of Retford toward to Gainsborough. I appreciate that the information is still pretty vague, but if anyone does have any idea what the aircraft may be then I'd appreciate any information.

[Mike]

There are no military fast-jets showing on an ADS-B replay for that time in that area, so probably Typhoons, F-35's or F-15's from Coningsby, Marham or Lakenheath.
I know that's not much help but it's the best I can come up with!

[Eccleshare1]

Thanks Mike. You've been more than helpful in giving your time and energies to this one.