Apache`s

[flyboy]

Caan anyone tell me how many apaches are actually at wattisham at the moment ?

[Velvet Glove]

See ~

http://www.ukapache.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.wattisham.org.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.bmal.org.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The latter says 39 Apache's resident as of end of June. Obviously can't tell you "TODAY's" figure.

[gary1701]

Caan anyone tell me how many apaches are actually at wattisham at the moment ?

That's not really possible for anyone to answer, as the number is constantly changing as the Apache fleet is always on the move. But a bit of guess work can give you a rough idea;

Book figure says six squadrons between the two regiments, each with eight airframes allocated - in theory. So that's 48 aircraft. One (reinforced) squadron is always on Herrick, which is about 8-10 aircraft less. Then there's the pretty much permanent detachment in Arizona, say another 4-8 aircraft (bit of guess work there, based on numbers flown out by An-124's). Also for a lot of the time one squadron back at Wattisham is more often than not on exercise elsewhere in the country (there's some down at SPTA at the moment), that's another 6-8. Although still at Wattisham, there will be a large percentage with 7 Battalion, REME, that are not on the line, and at the moment that may be more than normal because of the upgrade programme. As you can see, there's a lot of room for error there. Also bear in mind that in reality aircraft are not allocated to specific regiments/squadrons, but are generated on a as required basis, with the same aircraft being turned around for different crews/units after each sortie. On average, you won't see more than 5/6 on the Wattisham pan at any one time, and often less.

Gary