BTF/ B52H 20-2 General Information

[jigsaw]

Hoping to make it down for a few days the week after next as it coincides with my leave

First time down spotting at Fairford for a deployment, is there usually something flying on most weekdays?

Where’s best for taxi shots of the B-52s and U-2s?

Cheers and TIA
JJC

U2 usually flies mon-fri takes off early morn and returns before dark. can always go to brize to fill out the day, they post a rough flying schedule on their website.
wont know about the 52's until they start flying

[graham luxton]

As you are party trying to answer my question to you, it was at Fairford in July 2004 and performed at least one flypast at the SBAC whilst there (phew found I do not need it so no need to travel to FFD all six in the bin), and was also over in March 2019. I did a few searches in FC and elsewhere.

On ABPIC there is a picture of 34 taken in 1964 at Greenham Common when it was all silver.

I saw 61-0034 weekending at Greenham Common on the same date that Robin Walker took that shot - Sat 8th Feb'64. Although it wore the unit badge of Grand Forks 4133 Strategic Wing it was actually assigned to the 319BW at the same base. When the 319BW was organized at GF on the 1st Feb'63 it inherited the assets of the unit it was replacing - the 4133SW. Back then, it wasn't unusual for Buff's to be wearing the unit badges of their previous Strategic Wings long after those units had been inactivated.

[thevulcan]

Anyone know if they will fly a mission today? I have amended the title of the log so that it reflects both the BTF and Ample Strike.

[nitro999]

Anyone know if they will fly a mission today? I have amended the title of the log so that it reflects both the BTF and Ample Strike.

Doubt it given no ground crews here yet as far as I know, but would be happy to be proven wrong.

[JJC]

Hoping to make it down for a few days the week after next as it coincides with my leave

First time down spotting at Fairford for a deployment, is there usually something flying on most weekdays?

Where’s best for taxi shots of the B-52s and U-2s?

Cheers and TIA
JJC

U2 usually flies mon-fri takes off early morn and returns before dark. can always go to brize to fill out the day, they post a rough flying schedule on their website.
wont know about the 52's until they start flying

Many thanks

[city42]

Anyone know if they will fly a mission today? I have amended the title of the log so that it reflects both the BTF and Ample Strike.

Doubt it given no ground crews here yet as far as I know, but would be happy to be proven wrong.

what did the C17 and 747 bring over yesterday

[dragonhunter20]

Anyone know if they will fly a mission today? I have amended the title of the log so that it reflects both the BTF and Ample Strike.

Doubtful as the Notam was taken down. Rumours are crew are inbound later on this week. Could fly but unsure whether there are enough crew there at the moment

[dragonhunter20]

Anyone know if they will fly a mission today? I have amended the title of the log so that it reflects both the BTF and Ample Strike.

Doubt it given no ground crews here yet as far as I know, but would be happy to be proven wrong.

what did the C17 and 747 bring over yesterday

Engines and spare parts from what was seen being taken off. I left shortly after the 747 landed but the C17 had engines on

[baz1]

747 usually brings support crew.

[dragonhunter20]

747 usually brings support crew.

The one yesterday was kit. Crew are coming later this week

[red leader]

I've just seen something looked like a b52 go over Northampton at about 1630
Are there any up or inbound?
Maybe it was a KC 135?
Large with four engines headed SW in direction of Fairford or Brize.
Can anyone help?

[thevulcan]

E3CF ZH106 NATO30 is inbound Brize for some approach work.

[jingernut]

I've just seen something looked like a b52 go over Northampton at about 1630
Are there any up or inbound?
Maybe it was a KC 135?
Large with four engines headed SW in direction of Fairford or Brize.
Can anyone help?

Well if it was a B52 it would have had eight engines for starters.

[thevulcan]

Could be unrelated but RCH979 is in the climb out of Minot AFB same aircraft as what departed early this morning.

[GT3ZZZ]

I've just seen something looked like a b52 go over Northampton at about 1630
Are there any up or inbound?
Maybe it was a KC 135?
Large with four engines headed SW in direction of Fairford or Brize.
Can anyone help?

Well if it was a B52 it would have had eight engines for starters.

ZH106, callsign NATO 30 was your bird

[red leader]

Thanks. That's most appreciated. Can I just confirm is zh206 a Sentry?
Do you know where it was headed?

[nitro999]

Thanks. That's most appreciated. Can I just confirm is zh206 a Sentry?
Do you know where it was headed?

ZH106 is indeed a Sentry and was doing circuits at Brize Norton

[dragonhunter20]

Could be unrelated but RCH979 is in the climb out of Minot AFB same aircraft as what departed early this morning.

I’d say keep an eye out for a Notam after 2100. Suspect there is an Omni air due, one is landing at Shannon tomorrow morning

[Agent K]

I've just seen something looked like a b52 go over Northampton at about 1630
Are there any up or inbound?
Maybe it was a KC 135?
Large with four engines headed SW in direction of Fairford or Brize.
Can anyone help?

Errr.... either 4 engines have fallen off or it wasn’t a B52

[red leader]

Lol. Your quite correct there sir!
From the height I viewed it I could only see what looked like four.
Even a B 52 looks like four engines from that height as the two engines in the pods are so close together.
Binoculars would have helped!
Thanks for the help on this guys. Still good to see the Sentry though!