Yeovil(Westland) Sightings Autumn/Winter 2019/20

[apgphoto]

Gents can I ask if anyone has seen "I-AWCU" the 189 and "I-AWCU" the 149 together? Just trying to clarify if they are both there or if its a re-use of the company registration that's been applied to the 149?

[Malcolm]

Saturday 30 Nov 2019 - 10:00

Unusual activity for a weekend, but a Merlin HM2 type is currently flying around the airfield. It's got a nose probe, but isn't pinging on SBS as far as I can see. Suspect its an AEW, but haven't noticed the radar bin bag yet.

ETA: 10:30 [43C30B] ZH831 now showing on SBS as "WHE02" SQ4362

Cheers
Malcolm

[Sparkjeff]

On FB it was seen as the "bagger"

[mjcmerlin]

Saturday 30 November 1030 (visited Judwin whilst shopping in Yeovil wife not happy)

ZH831 MERLIN HMA2(AEW) Flying with the radar lowered
ZZ108\0277 MERLIN MK612 Ground runs

[POL]

I'm a bit confused, there's two systems that this Merlin has been seen to carry - does anyone know the story behind them please?

Initially: https://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo ... crowsnest/

But recently: https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/maiden ... n-the-sky/

[mjcmerlin]

Monday 2nd December

ZZ102 AW101 MK612 Flew as WHE04
ZZ103 AW101 MK612 Flew as WHE20
ZZ(107) AW101 MK612 Flew as WHE13
ZZ415 Wildcat HMA Flew as WHE02

[Malcolm]

Tuesday 3 Dec 2019 - 08:45
Out on a chilly ramp this morning is:

(ZZ108) Merlin for Norway

Not 100% certain on the serial - very shallow angle to read it off. Slight possibility its '103 but managed to convince myself it was an '8'. Normal Norwegian colours, Norwegian serial covered by one large piece of black tape, rather than each digit being individually taped up.

Cheers
Malcolm

[Malcolm]

I'm a bit confused, there's two systems that this Merlin has been seen to carry - does anyone know the story behind them please?

Initially: https://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo ... crowsnest/

But recently: https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/maiden ... n-the-sky/

I wonder if the first picture is of the other competing system for Crowsnest. IIRC there were two companies in the competition. Thales was the winner, with 'bin bag' system derived from the old Sea King ASAC7. The loser was Lockheed Martin with an all new EASA system.

https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2015/05/ ... -decision/

[Yammer]

11.45 calling as Whisky Hotel Echo 01 ( often call as WESTLANDS ) - mid Channel, approaching Seaford from France - gave type as AW101 - destination Yeovil


ADSB suggests AW101 ZZ100

[mjcmerlin]

Tuesday 3rd December 1000-1300

ZZ100 AW101 MK612 Returned as WHE01
ZZ102 AW101 MK612 hangar Move
ZZ103 AW101 MK612 Departed as WHE20
ZZ107 AW101 MK612 Departed as WHE13
ZZ108 AW101 MK612 Ground runs as WHE04
ZJ119\C Merlin Mk4 hangar Move
ZR361\15-12 HH101A Wash Bay
ZR362\15-13 HH101A Ground Runs
ZZ415 WILDCAT HMA
G-XXEC A109

[mjcmerlin]

Wednesday 04 Dec at 1200-1430

ZH831 Merlin HMA2(AEW)
ZZ108 Merlin Mk612
ZR361\15-12 HH101A Wash Bay

ZJ998\AE Merlin MK4A Moved from spray shop not resprayed grey yet still green with Union Jack and primer parts taken back to the
hangars.
I-AWCU AW149 HAD AW149 Painted on Nose in black towed from hangar then put away again
G-XXEC A109 Towed from hangar then put away again

[Judwin71]

Wednesday 04 Dec at 1000

ZH831 Merlin HMA2(AEW)
ZZ108 Merlin Mk612
ZR361\15-12 HH101A Wash Bay

ZZ108 first flight this afternoon (1500) as WHE01

[jrmrsdal]

ZZ107 AW101 MK612 Was pulled out of the shed at 14:50.
Completing a gorgeous day at fence. thanks for the company!

[Charlie Golf]

Tuesday 26 November at 1430-1500

19204 (No UK Serials) Lynx towed to flight shed minus doors and windows etc

Finally! Two and a half years since the first 3 airframes were sent to Yeovil a Portuguese Navy Mk.95(A) seems to be nearing its first flight.

Has she flown yet?

[mjcmerlin]

Friday 6th December

ZZ103 AW101 MK612 Flew as WHE01
ZZ107 AW101 MK612
ZZ108 AW101 MK612 hangar Move
ZR361\15-12 HH101A Ground Runs
ZJ992\AB Merlin mk3a Ground Runs callsign AC
ZZ415 Wildcat HMA Flew as WHE09
I-AWCU AW149 Ground Run as WHE13 Has AW149 in black on the tail and on the nose.

[POL]

I wonder if the first picture is of the other competing system for Crowsnest. IIRC there were two companies in the competition. Thales was the winner, with 'bin bag' system derived from the old Sea King ASAC7. The loser was Lockheed Martin with an all new EASA system.

https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2015/05/ ... -decision/

Thanks Malcolm, didn't realise there were two systems bidding originally!

[POL]

Outside at 1045L

_____ Merlin Norway
_____ Merlin Italy(?)

No optics so can't provide any more info. If anyone has IDs I'd greatly appreciate them!

Thanks
Chris

[Judwin71]

Outside at 1045L

_____ Merlin Norway
_____ Merlin Italy(?)

No optics so can't provide any more info. If anyone has IDs I'd greatly appreciate them!

Thanks
Chris

Norway Merlin ZZ108 was flying just after Midday

[mjcmerlin]

Saturday 7th December at 1215

ZZ108 AW101 MK612 Flew as WHE06
ZJ992\AB Merlin mk3a Still outside from Friday

[apgphoto]

Finally some clarification about I-AWCU

I-AWCU is still c/n 49039 which has been demonstrated as a white civilian AW189, its been "militarised" and is now an AW149 and will be demonstrated to UK MOD

AW149 c/n 49024 CSX81890 which was at the DSEI show should also still be at Yeovil.

Cheers

Paul