Yeovil (Westland) Sightings Spring 2020

[mjcmerlin]

Thursday 1400

ZZ109 AW101 MK612 Flew as WHE02
ZJ995\AD Merlin mk4a Flew as WHE03

[mjcmerlin]

Friday 15th 1500

ZH583 Super Lynx flew as WHE03
ZZ109 AW101 MK612
0279 (ZZ110) AW101 MK612 Moved from Production to Flight test fully painted minus rotors etc

[mjcmerlin]

Monday 18th

7T-WVD AW101 VVIP ground runs
ZZ395 Wildcat AH Flew Am
ZZ415 Wildcat HMA ground runs and Hover check
ZZ??? AW101 MK612 Outside hangar with no rotors nose code covered up

ZH864/70 Merlin mk2a 09 end next to new building

[mjcmerlin]

Tuesday 19th 1200

ZH583 Super Lynx flew as WHE03

[twinstar]

Algerian AW. 101 outside this afternoon, presumed to be 7T-WVD.
Frustratingly the first hangar Bay doors were open and the second bay contained a Noweigian Mk. 612 and behind that a grey AW.101 which had a non folding rotor head (presumed Italian).

[Judwin71]

May be coincidence, Algerian King Air just landed at Exeter.

[Malcolm]

Algerian AW. 101 outside this afternoon, presumed to be 7T-WVD.
Frustratingly the first hangar Bay doors were open and the second bay contained a Noweigian Mk. 612 and behind that a grey AW.101 which had a non folding rotor head (presumed Italian).

7T-WVD was out at the western end of the main ramp from late morning till 4pm at least. It was rotors running mid afternoon, but never flew. It's out again today (Wednesday) in the same location.

[simongrigor]

The Exeter Kingair today (20th) disembarked about four or five who drove off in a people-carrier, with what looked like overnight bags. So maybe a night-stop somewhere for them prior to the delivery tomorrow?

[Malcolm]

The Exeter Kingair today (20th) disembarked about four or five who drove off in a people-carrier, with what looked like overnight bags. So maybe a night-stop somewhere for them prior to the delivery tomorrow?

7T-WVD was again rotor running at about lunchtime, but again I don't think it actually flew. Would've thought a check flight or two would happen before it cleared off home again.

[mjcmerlin]

Wednesday 20th

ZZ102 moved from flight test to production minus all rotors etc
As said above the only other helicopter seen was the Algerian AW101

[Judwin71]

Wildcat ZZ415 WHE04 departed approx 1030L, returned at 1730L

[mjcmerlin]

Thursday pm

ZZ107 AW101 MK612 flew as WHE01
ZZ109 AW101 MK612 Flew AM as WHE01
ZZ535 Wildcat HMA

Apache arrived by round in a bag of loaded by the bottom build shop

ZZ415 + 1 RETURNED late pm

Friday

7T-WVD AW101 VVIP ground runs
ZZ109 AW101 MK612
ZZ535 WILDCAT HMA

[Judwin71]

AW101 7T-WVD flying this afternoon as WHE02

[mjcmerlin]

Tuesday 26th
7T-WVD AW101 VVIP Flew as WHE02 1st flight after overall
Mk4a moved from Production to spray shop no serial or code new tail fitted
2-GIGI A109E Departed to Oxford


Wednesday 27th

7T-WVD AW101 VVIP Flew as WHE02 put back in shed approx 1330
ZZ107 AW101 MK612
ZZ109 AW101 MK612
ZH864\70 Merlin aew Flew as WHE06 AM & PM
ZH583 Super Lynx flew as WHE03

[Kevin Brewer]

Noted during a very brief visit this afternoon, c.14.30 Norwegian AW-101 Mk.612 ZZ109 departed as WHE02.

Earlier, Merlin AEW (ZH864 / WHE04 I think)) was seen flying to the south of Yeovilton.

At Yeovilton itself, just one Merlin on the line, HC.4 (ZJ129)/N performed an engine test and was then put away again. In addition to the usual Tutors and Wildcats, Globemaster C.1 (ZZ171) went OTT at 3500 feet. Apache AH.1 ZJ1224 'AAC488' made a brief visit, possibly in connection with an unidentified example sitting on the Visitor's pan which, according to a local, had gone U/S on attempted departure last night. It was still present with rotors tied down when we left at 14.15. As we were leaving, Apache (ZJ207) 'PNTHR 80' was on finals, but I didn't see whether or not it landed. Serials in brackets and callsigns courtesy of ADS-B.

Anyone have an ID for the Apache on the ground please?

HTH

Kevin

[Malcolm]

Thursday 28th May 2020
Visible from the lockdown bedroom window today have been :

ZH864 Merlin AEW2 - Flew AM
ZZ109 Merlin for Norway - Flew PM
ZR363 Merlin HH-101 Ceasar. Grey c/s with roundals but I can't see a code on it. Rotors running @ 17:45L but doubt it'll fly today.

Cheers
Malcolm

[GT3ZZZ]

Anyone have an ID for the Apache on the ground please?

HTH

Kevin

See here:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=189957&p=1188055#p1188055

[Kevin Brewer]

Many thanks!

[Cessna954]

7T-WVD AW101 VVIP positioned to Exeter late yesterday afternoon to clear customs and departed back to Algeria this morning.

Neil

[Judwin71]

New thread started for Summer 2020, for period June to August.
Best Wishes to all who contribute.
Keith