Mallet Blow exercises ??

[Andyph]

Sounds like a series of near misses then Gareth. Thought there was a one way system instituted for LFAs which was put in place after the Eden Valley mid air between a Jaguar and Tornado in which John Watts was killed back in the late '80s?

no the LFA's don't work like that - apart from tight valleys and small gaps that are flowed it is a free for all during the day.

Ive put up a short video of Jags dodging smokey sams at wiley sike and setting the moor on fire here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVNRmjPQpRA

Loving the vids mate - I never saw the Wast Water ones before.
Yeap Jags bombing Wiley Sike and the FACs jumped in the Gazelle (Spindle) and tried to put out the fire.
Who would have thought Spade would burn - it's underwater!

Remember Otterburn burning too one Ex.

And an F-111 with a shockingly bad loft bomb set fire to Pembrey - landed well off the range limits -whoops.
Think It was the day before Brawdy show in 88 or 89

But have seen some amazingly bad bombs from F-111s.

At Donna a LN 111 dived at the beach (rather than along it.) aimed (I think) at the Nimrod nose cones - missed over and the bomb landed close enough to the dunes to be interesting.
never heard such a B0ll0cking over the radio...

And at Tain I saw a lofted bomb go the wrong side of the "do not go past this point" sign... whoops

Was it only 30 aircraft only allowed into an LFA at any one time ? I remember just after New Year’s Day when I was kid & seeing 25 aircraft of all RAF types all over the place in my local area in the southern part of LFA7 during 2 minutes, they came from every direction ! You’re lucky to see that many over a few years now!

30 was the limit for LFA7 - it varies for each LFA - I think for example LFA 17 (the Lakes) is 20 .

Did you go on the Highland Cardinal/ OSEX / Welsh Clerics gigs?

Was usually a Highland Cardinal as a FAC exercise near Rhayader for a week. Mainly for A-10s, Harriers Jaguars
Then OSEX (Offensive support Exercise) was larger and the Muds had to get through a CAP around Bala before heading to their targets-

The targets - rubber tanks were moved everyday and it was a bit of fun finding them during the first few attacks -

Russian Army T-72s advance in mid Wales by Andy Heap, on Flickr

The Lowdown 10 point guide to finding FACs and their targets is probably still good today.

1) Read the Notams - Note the general area
2) Get to area early
3) Drive around looking for targets or a mast on a likely hill while waiting for first attack
4) Hope the FAC is a) awake b) Got his radio on the right freq
5) Scan all the freqs you have with as many scanners as you can muster until you have the strike prim freq
6) Listen to the 9 line briefing given by the FAC to the attacking aircraft
7) Decode and drive to the target Co Ords in 9 line as fast as you can
8) Arrive just in time for first pass if 1-6 was done well enough
9) Chat to the locals if its after the first day they will be only too happy to moan about the mess they are making of their fields
10) If all else fails follow an Army Land Rover out of Ex HQ theres a good chance hes going to the targets or FACs

Having said that Andy and I once followed an Army Land Rover for about half an hour from Ex HQ only for him to lead us quite a way from the targets. Probably going for the gaffers breakfast :-)

I bet Andy remembers we were driving to the first attack of the day with the scanners on and an aircraft gave his position relative to the target, the cogs in our heads started to turn and we both said that means hes here just as the jet overtook us very low with a huge roar. Great times, even better when you worked it all out from limited info

Yeah it was like a treasure hunt finding them - not only working out where the targets were but where the IPs were and what would be the best location for the day.

Also back plotting the fighters to work out where the Bullseyes was for the MAGIC directed 500 series TADs

[Blackcat1]

Sounds like a series of near misses then Gareth. Thought there was a one way system instituted for LFAs which was put in place after the Eden Valley mid air between a Jaguar and Tornado in which John Watts was killed back in the late '80s?

no the LFA's don't work like that - apart from tight valleys and small gaps that are flowed it is a free for all during the day.

Ive put up a short video of Jags dodging smokey sams at wiley sike and setting the moor on fire here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVNRmjPQpRA

Loving the vids mate - I never saw the Wast Water ones before.
Yeap Jags bombing Wiley Sike and the FACs jumped in the Gazelle (Spindle) and tried to put out the fire.
Who would have thought Spade would burn - it's underwater!

Remember Otterburn burning too one Ex.

And an F-111 with a shockingly bad loft bomb set fire to Pembrey - landed well off the range limits -whoops.
Think It was the day before Brawdy show in 88 or 89

But have seen some amazingly bad bombs from F-111s.

At Donna a LN 111 dived at the beach (rather than along it.) aimed (I think) at the Nimrod nose cones - missed over and the bomb landed close enough to the dunes to be interesting.
never heard such a B0ll0cking over the radio...

And at Tain I saw a lofted bomb go the wrong side of the "do not go past this point" sign... whoops

30 was the limit for LFA7 - it varies for each LFA - I think for example LFA 17 (the Lakes) is 20 .

Did you go on the Highland Cardinal/ OSEX / Welsh Clerics gigs?

Was usually a Highland Cardinal as a FAC exercise near Rhayader for a week. Mainly for A-10s, Harriers Jaguars
Then OSEX (Offensive support Exercise) was larger and the Muds had to get through a CAP around Bala before heading to their targets-

The targets - rubber tanks were moved everyday and it was a bit of fun finding them during the first few attacks -

Russian Army T-72s advance in mid Wales by Andy Heap, on Flickr

The Lowdown 10 point guide to finding FACs and their targets is probably still good today.

1) Read the Notams - Note the general area
2) Get to area early
3) Drive around looking for targets or a mast on a likely hill while waiting for first attack
4) Hope the FAC is a) awake b) Got his radio on the right freq
5) Scan all the freqs you have with as many scanners as you can muster until you have the strike prim freq
6) Listen to the 9 line briefing given by the FAC to the attacking aircraft
7) Decode and drive to the target Co Ords in 9 line as fast as you can
8) Arrive just in time for first pass if 1-6 was done well enough
9) Chat to the locals if its after the first day they will be only too happy to moan about the mess they are making of their fields
10) If all else fails follow an Army Land Rover out of Ex HQ theres a good chance hes going to the targets or FACs

Having said that Andy and I once followed an Army Land Rover for about half an hour from Ex HQ only for him to lead us quite a way from the targets. Probably going for the gaffers breakfast :-)

I bet Andy remembers we were driving to the first attack of the day with the scanners on and an aircraft gave his position relative to the target, the cogs in our heads started to turn and we both said that means hes here just as the jet overtook us very low with a huge roar. Great times, even better when you worked it all out from limited info

Yeah it was like a treasure hunt finding them - not only working out where the targets were but where the IPs were and what would be the best location for the day.

Also back plotting the fighters to work out where the Bullseyes was for the MAGIC directed 500 series TADs

Yes my Yupi was used a lot in those days , as was my good old ordnance survey map , trying to plot targets

[Tiger-G]

Talking about bad bombs.....

I think it's time I dug out my "I was bombed by a buccaneer" story !! ( hopefully....some of you here were there to confirm it's true )

T'was a normal FAC exercise at Spadeadam, a bit further down the road than the usual place at WileySike me thinks ?? The range control caravan was set up there, the usual scruffy looking FAC guys directing aircraft onto the range to drop flash bang practice bombs onto target, and us spotters right there next to it all to photograph it. The guys directed some buccaneer's onto the range, at usual bucc height (or lack there of) and unfortunately one of the them mistook the range control caravan for the target !!!! .

I remember distinctly looking through my view finder as the bomb came off and whistled over my head, my brain not quite computing what had happened quickly enough, then looking just past the caravan to see smoke emanating from a small hole in the peat . Calm as you like, as the buc's disappeared in the usual spey engined made smoke screen, a few words were said by the FAC's over the radio about a chat on the phone when back at base, and everything carried on as normal !!

Thank fook the crew were about 20 metres off from a DH that day !!

You can imagine the hats on interview without coffee and bikkies back at station for the crew

[toom317]

Heard the Bucc story before and can understand how it happened. There was an old 50's style bin lorry on the range that was one of the targets. It was usually the main target and it was painted in large black and white checks. Unfortunately the FAC's caravan was also painted in large black and white checks, so thats probably where the confusion arose there. Mentioned earlier was the Jags setting fire to the range and the FAC's setting of in the Gazelle to put it out. I don't klnow if it was the same day but it happened one day I was there and I think a Lynx may have been involved as well. There were quite a few of us civvys there and I'm sure we were all thinking of lending a hand to put it out, as it required a flight in a helicopter to get to the fire. Anything for a free jolly.

Do they still do FAC training at Spade. Have been there on only a few occasions over the last 5 years or so, mainly for the Dutch helicopters. The now Red and White checked FAC cabin is in a right state. The last time I was there earlier this year, there were Swallows nesting in it.

[F3]

Sounds like a change of underwear may have been in order Tiger-G!
Loving hearing these tales from the Ranges. Keep em coming!

[adderman]

a few words were said by the FAC's over the radio about a chat on the phone when back at base, and everything carried on as normal !!

Sounds like a US ATC 'Got a phone number for you to call' edition.

[Andyph]

Talking about bad bombs.....

I think it's time I dug out my "I was bombed by a buccaneer" story !! ( hopefully....some of you here were there to confirm it's true )

T'was a normal FAC exercise at Spadeadam, a bit further down the road than the usual place at WileySike me thinks ?? The range control caravan was set up there, the usual scruffy looking FAC guys directing aircraft onto the range to drop flash bang practice bombs onto target, and us spotters right there next to it all to photograph it. The guys directed some buccaneer's onto the range, at usual bucc height (or lack there of) and unfortunately one of the them mistook the range control caravan for the target !!!! .

I remember distinctly looking through my view finder as the bomb came off and whistled over my head, my brain not quite computing what had happened quickly enough, then looking just past the caravan to see smoke emanating from a small hole in the peat . Calm as you like, as the buc's disappeared in the usual spey engined made smoke screen, a few words were said by the FAC's over the radio about a chat on the phone when back at base, and everything carried on as normal !!

Thank fook the crew were about 20 metres off from a DH that day !!

You can imagine the hats on interview without coffee and bikkies back at station for the crew

Used to happen a fair bit... hope you got a shot?

The usual FAC at Wiley Sike was a top bloke called Tristram if anyone remembers him - think he was TA?. Guess they dont do 'bombing' at Wiley Sike these days?

[Tiger-G]

Used to happen a fair bit... hope you got a shot?

The usual FAC at Wiley Sike was a top bloke called Tristram if anyone remembers him - think he was TA?. Guess they dont do 'bombing' at Wiley Sike these days?


"Tristram" that name rings a bell. I assumed they were all Special Forces, as they looked a bit unkempt, but it was a long, long time ago now

Does anyone remember "John the Post" ?? I'm sure he was a postie from Carlisle or Maryport ??

[PeteHemsley]

Ive put up a short video of Jags dodging smokey sams at wiley sike and setting the moor on fire here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVNRmjPQpRA

I was there that day and many other days throughout the exercise. amazing memories

[PeteHemsley]

Used to happen a fair bit... hope you got a shot?

The usual FAC at Wiley Sike was a top bloke called Tristram if anyone remembers him - think he was TA?. Guess they dont do 'bombing' at Wiley Sike these days?


"Tristram" that name rings a bell. I assumed they were all Special Forces, as they looked a bit unkempt, but it was a long, long time ago now

Does anyone remember "John the Post" ?? I'm sure he was a postie from Carlisle or Maryport ??

who doesn't remember him?! Also Pete (he used to go for a long walk every day from Wiley). Ken who was always dressed in smart RAF attire, ex observer corps. Ian from Hexham, always loved his enthusiasm. Graham from Newcastle, always informative. Alan, from the Ilse of Arran I think. Geoff, the bloke from Carlisle who was always a good laugh. Frank, my word, how can anyone not remember Frank?! He was From the Warton area and was our local Tarnish expert!

Being part of the "Thursday club" at Spadeadam was a huge part of my life and i'm grateful to have known everyone I met throughout my time on the range. I remember various Range commanding officers introducing themselves to our group and taking us on the range many many times.

[toom317]

Recognise a few of those names Pete, also Keith from Maryport(?), sadly no longer with us. Tristram was a top bloke, I think he rejoined the RAF as a reservist Air Traffic Controller and did a tour in the Falklands. There was also at one point, a Para Major FAC, Scottish bloke, looked a bit menacing at first but was good to talk to. We always got on well the the FAC's and I seem to recall a spotter who turned up and made bacon rolls for them one time. There were more than a few times we'd hear stuff on the scanner and let the FAC's know someone was trying to call them.

[F3]

Does anyone remember the mid air collision of 2 Harriers from 3 Sqn. which occurred on a Mallet Blow in the early '80/late '70s?

[DickFlute]

Hi Andrewn and all
Re...

Amazing log! I heard a few of those from the shack in Cheshire:

Mi 309 was a 2-ship (A&B), also used callsign "Vegas" which should mean they were 9Sqn jets.

Would love to see more logs from that period if you or anyone else has them.

Many thanks for the info on 'Mission 309', it's nice to get some clarification on that flight after all this time.

I, like many others it seems, have been greatly enjoying the first hand accounts of activity among the weeds on Otterburn range and elsewhere, but I thought it may be of interest to you and other readers of this wee thread if I posted some more logs from the Mallet Blow exercises I witnessed from Alwinton between 1989-1992.

First off...

Mallet Blow 89/2 - Otterburn: Wednesday 2nd August 1989 (pm session only 13:30-16:50)

"Mission ??" 15 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 3 (ATC c/s "Walnut")
"Mission ??" JBG-31/German AF Tornado x 2
"Mission ??" 14 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 4
"2TK336" AKG-52/German AF RF-4E x 2
"Mission ??" 3 Sqn/RAFG Harrier x 2 (ATC c/s "Nighthawk")
"Mission 338A-D" RAF Jaguar x 4
"Mission 340A-D" 9 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 4
"Mission 341A-D" RAFG Harrier x 4
"Mission 342A-D" MFG-1/German Navy Tornado x 4
"Mission 344A-C" JBG-33/German AF Tornado x 3
"Mission 345A/B" JBG-33/German AF Tornado x 2
"Mission 346" German AF Tornado x 1
"Mission 347A/B/D" RAF Tornado x 3
"Mission 348A-C" 31 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 3
"Mission 349A-D" 1st CAD/Canadian Forces CF-18 x 4
"Mission 350A-D" 1 Sqn/RAF Harrier x 4
"Mission 351" 16 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 3
"Mission 352A/B" RAF Jaguar x 2
"Mission 353A-C" 233 OCU/RAF Harrier x 3
"Mission 354A-C" 20th TFW/USAF ['UH' (rd)] F-111E x 3
"Mission 357B" RAF Tornado x 1
"Mission 358" Danish AF F-16 x 8
--------------------------------

Mallet Blow 89/2 - Otterburn: Thursday 3nd August 1989 (short pm session only 13:08-15:20)

"Mission 429A/B" 1st CAD/Canadian Forces CF-18 x 2
"Mission 430A-C" RAF Jaguar x 3
"Mission 431A-D" MFG-1/German Navy Tornado x 4
"Mission 432" 15 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 2 (ATC c/s "Walnut")
"Mission 433?" German AF F-4
"Mission 437" JBG-32/German AF Tornado
"Mission 438" 233 OCU/RAF Harrier x 5 (ATC c/s "Pagan")
"Mission 439A-C" 9 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 3
"Mission 441A-C" RAF Harrier x 3
"Mission 442A-D" JBG-32/German AF Tornado x 4
"Mission 445" 10th TFW/USAF ['AR'] A-10 x 3 (ATC c/s "Akela")

This may have been the session I alluded to in my earlier post when flying was suspended after the adjacent grassland was seen to be on fire following an attack on a target by A-10s; or at least that would explain why I left Otterburn mid-afternoon that day & was back at Newcastle Airport by 16:10, where I logged an F7F Tigercat (N6178C/JW-483) that had arrived for Sunderland air show that coming weekend.

Best wishes

[DickFlute]

Mallet Blow 90/1 - Otterburn: Wednesday 28th March 1990 (10:20-17:00)

Another tardy start to the day for your scribe in what appeared - retrospectively speaking - to have been a series of tardy starts (faulty alarm clock or maybe just decidely slothful behaviour on my part?) All of which nonsense means I don't know what may have rattled through the range under the presumed call signs of Missions 301 to 310 prior to my arrival.

Anyhoo, on with the rest of the day's activity...

"Mission 311" 1 TWU/RAF Hawk x 2
"Mission 312" 1 TWU/RAF Hawk x 2
"Mission 313" 17 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 1
"Mission 314" JBG-32/German AF Tornado x 1
"Mission 315" 54 Sqn/RAF Jaguar x 2
"Mission 316" 17 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 4
"Mission 317" 6 Sqn/RAF Jaguar x 2 (ATC c/s "Boxer")
"Mission 318" RAFG Harrier x 4
"Mission 319" 617 Sqn Tornado x 6
"Mission 320" 17 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 1
"Mission 321B" 13 Sqn/RAF Tornado x 1
"Mission 322" 13 Sqn/RAF Tornado x 2
"Mission 323" RAF Tornado x 2
"Mission 324A/C/D" 9 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 3
"Mission 325" SAOEU/RAF Tornado x 2
"Mission 326" 1 Sqn/RAF Harrier x 4 (2 in Arctic camo)
"Mission 327" 14 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 1
"Mission 328" 48th TFW/USAF ['LN'] F-111F x 4 (ATC c/s "Deuce 31")
"Mission 329" Esk-729/Danish AF Draken x 4
"3UK330" 10th TFW/USAF ['AR' (gy)] A-10 x 2 (ATC c/s "Macho")
"3UK331" 81st TFW/USAF ['WR' (pr)] A-10 x 2 (ATC c/s "Spur")
"3UK332" 81st TFW/USAF ['WR' (pr)] A-10 x 2 (ATC c/s "Couch")
"Mission 333" 48th TFW/USAF ['LN' (yw)] F-111F x 4
"2TK335" AKG-52/German AF RF-4E x 2 (Dep to Leck)
"Mission 336" JBG-31/German AF Tornado x 4
"2TK337" AKG-51/German AF RF-4E x 2
"Mission 338" MFG-1/German Navy Tornado x 2
"Mission 339" MFG-1/German Navy Tornado x 2
"Mission 340" Danish AF F-16 x 4
"Mission 341" RAF Harrier x 4
"2TK342" JBG-31 Tornado x 3
"Mission 343" 1 TWU/RAF Hawk x 6
"Mission 344" 6 Sqn/RAF Jaguar x 2
"Mission 345" TTTE/RAF Tornado x 2
"Mission 346" 6 Sqn/RAF Jaguar x 2 (ATC c/s "Cresta")
"Mission 347" 3 Sqn/RAFG Harrier x 2
"Mission 348" 31 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 2 (ATC c/s "Savage")
"Mission 349" 9 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 1
"Mission 350" RAF Tornado x 2
"Mission 351" 54 Sqn/RAF Jaguar x 2
"Mission 352" 1 Sqn/RAF Harrier x 4 (1 in Arctic camo)
"Mission 353" 13 Sqn/RAF Tornado x 2
"Mission 354" RAF Tornado x 2
"Mission 355" 17 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 4
"Mission 356" JBG-34/German AF Tornado
"Mission 357A/C" 20 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 2
"Mission 358" 617 sqn/RAF Tornado x 2
"Mission 359" RAF Tornado x 1
"Mission 360" 9 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 3
"Mission 361" Esk-729/Danish AF Draken x 4
"Mission 362" 15 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 4 (ATC c/s "Advent")
"3UK363" 10th TFW/USAF ['AR' (gy)] A-10 x 2 (ATC c/s "Swine")
"Mission 365" RAF Harrier x 4

And that was it for the day.

Best wishes

[DickFlute]

Mallet Blow 91/1 - Otterburn: Wednesday 17th July 1991 (09:05-17:20)

Up there in time for StartEx... for a change!

"Mission 301" 10th TFW/USAF ['AR'] A-10 x 4 (ATC c/s "Macho")
"Mission 302" AKG-51/German AF RF-4E x 2
"Mission 303" 27 Sqn/RAF Tornado x 4
"Mission 304" 20th TFW/USAF ['UH'] F-111E x 2 (ATC c/s "Chaps")
"Mission 306" 48th TFW/USAF ['LN'] F-111F x 3 (ATC c/s "Pall 41")
"Mission 307" 2 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 4 (all sand camo)
"Mission 308" 617 Sqn/RAF Tornado x 4 (ATC c/s "Saxon")
"Mission 309" TTTE/RAF Tornado x 2 (ATC c/s "Aston")
"Mission 310" 31 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 4 (ATC c/s "Voodoo")
"Mission 311" RAF Tornado x 3 (2 in sand camo)
"Mission 312" 13 Sqn/RAF Tornado x 4
"Mission 313" TWCU/RAF Tornado x 2
"Mission 314" 1 Sqn/RAF Harrier x 4
"Mission 315" 1 TWU/Hawk x 6
"Mission 316" 16 sqn/RAFG Tornado x 2 (both sand camo)
"Mission 317A/C/D" 9 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 3 (1 in sand camo)
"Mission 318" Danish AF Draken x 4 & F-16 x 4
"Mission 319" RAF Jaguar x 3 (all sand camo)
"Mission 320" RAF Tornado x 1
"Mission 321" RAF Harrier x 2
"Mission 322" 54 Sqn/RAF Jaguar x 4
"Mission 323" JBG-33/German AF Tornado x 3
"Mission 324B/C" JBG-34/German AF Tornado x 2
"Mission 326" AKG-51/German AF RF-4E x 1
"Mission 327" 41 Sqn/RAF Jaguar x 5 (all sand camo)
"Mission 328" 2 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 4 (all sand camo)
"Mission 329" 1 Sqn/RAF Harrier x 4
"Mission 330" 13 Sqn/RAF Tornado x 4
"Mission 332A-C" 9 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 3 (1 in sand camo)/(ATC c/s "RFR501")
"Mission 333" 1 TWU/Hawk x 6
"Mission 334" 31 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 4
"Mission 335" TWCU/RAF Tornado x 2
"Mission 336" Danish AF Draken x 4 & F-16 x 4
"Mission 337" 16 sqn/RAFG Tornado x 2 (both sand camo)/(ATC c/s "RFR626A/B")
"Mission 338" 14 sqn/RAFG Tornado x 4 (2 in sand camo)
"Mission 339" RAF Jaguar x 6 (4 in sand camo)
"Mission 340" 20th TFW/USAF ['UH'] F-111E x 2 (ATC c/s "Yankee")
"Mission 341" 617 Sqn/RAF Tornado x 4
"Mission 342" 48th TFW/USAF ['LN'] F-111F x 4
"Mission 343" 27 Sqn/RAF Tornado x 4
"Mission 344" RAF Jaguar x 3 (all sand camo)
"Mission 345" JBG-33/German AF Tornado x 3
"Mission 346B/C" JBG-34/German AF Tornado x 2
"Mission 347" 10th TFW/USAF ['AR'] A-10 x 2
"Mission 348" USAF A-10 x 2

And that was it for the day.

Best wishes

[DickFlute]

Mallet Blow 92/1 - Otterburn: Friday 3rd April 1992

A very low key Friday afternoon session - though probably to be expected that close to EndEx. I notice that British Aviation Review said the following about the exercise in the April 1992 edition:

"Exercise Mallet Blow' was severely hampered by poor weather..."

So perhaps the rest of the week was equally low key?

For what it's worth the following meagre pickings were noted...

"Mission 527" 81st TFW/USAF ['WR' (yw)] A-10 x 4 (ATC c/s "Gunhog")
"Mission 530" JBG-31/German AF Tornado x 5
"Mission 534" 31 Sqn/RAFG Tornado x 4 (ATC c/s "Voodoo")
"Mission 5**?" 2 TWU/RAF Hawk x 4 (ATC c/s "Hatchet")
"Mission 543" 617 sqn/RAF Tornado x 2 (ATC c/s "Vandal")
"Mission 544" 3 Sqn/RAFG Harrier x 5
"Mission 545" 81st TFW/USAF ['WR' (pr)] A-10 x 4 (ATC c/s "Rocky")

That was the last Mallet Blow I attended, and was maybe the last iteration of the exercise full stop as although 'Mallet Blow 92/2' had been expected to take place from 7th-11th September that year, South East Air Review reported at the time that it was actually combined with 'Elder Joust' and ran under the name of 'Northern Banner'.

I know I was never back up at Alwinton post April 1992, as the only aircraft I logged at Otterburn after that time were all British or foreign military helicopters on exercise there.

Merry Christmas or Bah humbug!

Best wishes

[T_J]

Does anyone remember the mid air collision of 2 Harriers from 3 Sqn. which occurred on a Mallet Blow in the early '80/late '70s?

Mallet Blow Exercises
HC Deb 30 March 1990 vol 170 cc329-31W329W
Mr. Jack Thompson To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for the years 1975 to 1989(a) the number of Mallet Blow exercises, (b) the number of missions in each exercise, (c) the types of aircraft involved in each and (d) the accidents involving low flying in each exercise.

Part answer

There have been two major accidents to low-flying aircraft involved in Mallet Blow exercises: a German air force Tornado aircraft crashed during Mallet Blow 86/4, and two RAF Harrier aircraft collided in mid-air during Mallet Blow 87/3.


More details at following link with missions flown and aircraft types.

https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hans ... -exercises

Six Harriers from 3 Squadron were tasked to attack a target from different directions on the Otterburn Range, Northumberland, as part of Exercise "Mallet Blow". Numbers 3 and 4 failed to keep separation and collided on the crossover. (XV790 was the #3 aircraft, XZ136 was the #4)

Both pilots were killed, one being a US Navy exchange pilot - Lieutenant John CARVER, USN. The other pilot - Flight Lieutenant David Robin SUNDERLAND - had ejected moments before impact with the ground but too late for the seat to complete its sequence

From

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=55536

[Blackcat1]

Sorry to go off topic but the rarest sighting for me in my locality were 4x Viggens escorted by 4 Jaguars, I think from 54 Squadron low level through the Usk valley between Brecon & Sennybridge whilst having a drink with my family outside the White House Hotel in Sennybridge ( cracking beer garden right on the main low level route) It was around 95/97 I think as I was drinking coke did anyone else see them in LFA7? Did they Loop!? No forum or social media in those days ! Thanks

[Andyph]

Sorry to go off topic but the rarest sighting for me in my locality were 4x Viggens escorted by 4 Jaguars, I think from 54 Squadron low level through the Usk valley between Brecon & Sennybridge whilst having a drink with my family outside the White House Hotel in Sennybridge ( cracking beer garden right on the main low level route) It was around 95/97 I think as I was drinking coke did anyone else see them in LFA7? Did they Loop!? No forum or social media in those days ! Thanks

wow that would have been awesome - I always thought the RAF should have got Viggens and just have a read of this about the RAF exchange pilot going low level - https://www.collectair.co.uk/pdf/interview-hr.pdf

Only super rare things I saw Low Level were Ohio A-7s which were with Harriers on deployment at Wittering

[Andyph]

Does anyone remember the mid air collision of 2 Harriers from 3 Sqn. which occurred on a Mallet Blow in the early '80/late '70s?

Part answer

There have been two major accidents to low-flying aircraft involved in Mallet Blow exercises: a German air force Tornado aircraft crashed during Mallet Blow 86/4, and two RAF Harrier aircraft collided in mid-air during Mallet Blow 87/3.



From

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=55536

and the Dutch F-104 - there is a memorial to it at Otterburn - Maybe it didn't crash during a MB? it was before my time