CW23-2 My take : updated Fri 29 Sept.

[Tally-ho]

Good Afternoon All

The second CW for the year is upon us. I drove past Waddington this morning and thought to record the parked Canadian CC-177 (177705) first of the advance transports, as seen from the A607 just outside Waddington. Parked on the #02 side (southern side) of the runway.
Shimmering in the midday heat haze over an impeding hedge, has its negatives ...

[Ian in Leeds]

Good start and thanks for posting.

Ian

[Tally-ho]

Thank you 'Ian in Leeds'.

This afternoon (Sunday 27th) saw the arrival at RAF Waddington of what sources say may be advance support personnel for CW23-2. A heavy rain shower passed through at 13:15 and the handful of us present, sat it out in our cars. I noted that the Bombardier CRJ900 (OY-MIT) from Global Reach Aviation took a wide turn via Leeds, after crossing the North Sea from Norway, on its approach to Waddington. Runway 20 had a fresh breeze blowing across it and touchdown was at 13:47. I did not linger for the departure at 15:00, as rain seemed on the way again.


Heavy rain imminent


Global Reach Aviation, Bombardier CRJ900 (OY-MIT) crossing the A15.

[65thAgressor]

That hedge needs trimming.

[Tally-ho]

The hedge in the airplane picture is on the farmer's field, the picture was taken from inside the WAVE. However, you are right, the Waddington hedge definitely needs trimming too. I was told by 'the powers that be' at the WAVE, that the Waddington hedge will be cut this week ...

[Tally-ho]

Arrivals at Waddington as CW23-2 gathers momentum.

Firstly, take a look at that hedge! This is difficult photography if you want runway / landing / take-off shots. The WAVE was not overly busy and there were only a handful of us at the fence, others had to make do from elsewhere. I left after the two Italian G550's arrived. Tomorrow is another day.


That blasted hedge


First to arrive at 12:42 was the converted Gulfstream G550 AEW (MM62303) of the Italian Air Force


Second at 12:57 was the beautiful 'plain' G550 (MM62332) of the Italian Air Force


A smoky touchdown to end the day's session for me - G550 (MM62332)

Thank you for visiting!

[reaper493]

You've got me in the E550 shot - hiding behind the light.

[Tally-ho]

Nice to know you shared the burden of the hedge ...

[Tally-ho]

What a performance!

The endless circuits of these three Canadian Hornets at 18,000 ft just south of Waddington, you may have read elsewhere on here the reasons for the delay, arrestor cable(s) on the Waddington runway. Perhaps the incoming weather was a factor too, and the prevalent crosswind over the runway? My first picture shows a screenshot from FR24 re the circuits.

They made a suitable entrance with a flypast down the #02 runway and the de rigueur fighter break to starboard before landing. The rain held off nicely, but 10 minutes after touchdown it came. We were all dreading a deluge whilst the much anticipated Canadians were showing themselves to us lot at the hedge - let's not elaborate on that hedge!

So, the first three are here.

The pictures are in order of landing - 735, 774, 757.






Showing the 2021 season demonstration graphics on the tail (188735)


Note the graphics 'StrongAtHome' on the nose strake (188735)


(188774)


Bringing up the rear (188757)

Thank you!

[Tally-ho]

On Hornets and Hedges

I see the question has been asked as to whether the hedge has been cut. This is your view from the lowest part of the hedge when standing on a two-step ladder. Unless you have a six-step or more you cannot take decent pictures.
Early evening 18:51 with the arrivals of the final four Canadian Hornets on Wednesday 30 Aug, in view is 188782 and 188742.

Is this the new normal for photography at the hedge opposite the WAVE? Until there is no view?

[Tally-ho]

So, before it all starts on Monday 4th, I share a last three pictures of the Royal Canadian Air Force arrivals at Waddington. In case you have not noticed, this is where we snap airplanes with the added décor of a overgrown hedge. Windsurfers do it standing up, Waddington snappers do it with a hedge. See preceding post.

The sunset arrivals:-


Taxiing past the parked Nato E-3A Boeings


The full frontal


Fading light with a setting sun, see's the last four heading for their parking bays.

Tired of seeing Hornets? Hang in there, we have another three weeks of them from multiple photographers!

Cheers

[Tally-ho]

A visit to Crash Gate 5 late this afternoon (Sat 2 Sept) to check on the seven parked Canadian Hornets, a softer sun and little heat haze.






As seen from the A607 ... yes there's a hedge here too.

Thank you!

[Tally-ho]

Showing the rays of the setting sun, this CF-188 Hornet (188736) (Y0 X) has seemingly not yet flown during the first week of Exercise Cobra Warrior, since arriving on 30 August.

Seen here on the day of arrival at RAF Waddington, RCAF 401 Tactical Fighter Squadron, CF-188 (188736) based at Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada. A small graphic of a mountain sheep's head is shown at the top of the port vertical stabilizer (tail fin). The mountain sheep, indigenous to many parts of Canada, is known for its great stamina and fighting power. On the nose strake, above the red light, another small graphic reads -

SWIFT DEATH



POETS!

[Tally-ho]

Monday, a new day in another place, straight up the A1 at sunrise to RAF Leeming. Yes, variety is the spice of life, and PAVE HAWKS brought a vital new ingredient to my current Cobra Warrior aviation diet. Parked by 08:30, step ladder up and guess what, no hedge in sight ... say no more ...

A very pleasant sojourn of three hours, watching a C-17 depart, circuits by Grob trainers, flights by two black Hawk T2A's, a parked Chinook, and of course the raison d'être for the visit - USAF Sikorsky HH-60G 'Pave Hawk' search and rescue helicopters.


All three USAF HH-60G 'Pave Hawk' helicopters on the main ramp


HH-60G 'Pave Hawk' 87-26007


HH-60G 'Pave Hawk' 92-26471

More may follow - after a glass of cool Chablis - thank you!

[slogen51]

Interesting post and a good read

That hedge is in need of a serious trim

[Mike]

An excellent set of shots and thanks for posting them.

Not sure about the black Hawk T.1A's you saw at Leeming though, would these be Qatari Hawk T.2A's?

[Tally-ho]

Thank you for the positive comment, and yes you are quite right, they are Qatari Hawk T2A's - my bad. I have corrected my post.

[Tally-ho]

Interesting post and a good read

That hedge is in need of a serious trim

Thank you for the kind words! Don't get me going on that hedge ...

[Tally-ho]

The final two photographs of my visit to RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, on Monday 11th.

Going through the 59 photos I took (few by some standards) over the three hour period, the dominating feature in the background is the North York Moors. From Leeming as the crow flies it's about 10 miles.

... a plateau high above the valleys, yet of sleek and rounded slopes ...
(Alfred Wainwright)

Clouds dominated, yet there was a sense of mild humidity at 26°C by midday, and that brooding outline as a backdrop.


HH-60G 'Pave Hawk' (92-26471)


HH-60G 'Pave Hawk' (92-26471). No idea as to the vehicles in the centre.

[Tally-ho]

Is this a last look from the A607 side? Surely after much delay this must be departure day for the Canadians?!

Taken before 08.00 this morning, I thought to catch the CC-177 and the three visible CF-188's with the early morning mist and a orange tint denoting the rising sun (out of view) to the left.