Trooping the colours flypast.

[Dan D'Air]

Saw Atlas, C17 and Hercules OTT Northampton about 1120hrs, heading East. Only saw 1xC17, but I was exiting Morrison's at the time!

[Tonka2010]

Atlas, C-17 and Voyager have all flown over Great Yarmouth, did wonder what was going on.

Marc

[Fastwalker]

Well,just watched it on the BBC and i can safely say it was the most appalling camerawork i have ever seen.

[milky_01]

Typhoon departures for QBF

ZK313/W - Ground abort

ZK343 unmarked - Triplex 101- 105
ZK307/307 code only - Returned to Coningsby replaced by ZK366/Unmarked.
ZK311/N code only
ZK325/325 code only

ZK366/Unmarked - Air spare.

Cheers

Kevin

[Unknown74]

Good to see someone else noticed that Fastwalker, and the Commentator was almost one plane behind in his commentary.

[mustang5861]

Totally underwhelmed by the flypast: 20 service aircraft, Reds x9, and two Hurries and a Spit (not the other way round, as the Beeb claimed); but, as was pointed out earlier, the RAF is a very pale shadow of its former self. Here's hoping there will be an all-out balls-to-the-wall effort come April 2018.

M

[gyvespa]

The BBC.
They actually showed some planes this year, a year or two ago they cut to a commentator who didn't have a clue then finished the 'feed' before all the aircraft had flown over.
This years coverage was marginally better by comparison :-)

The rule of thumb is anything involving Aircraft or Motorcycles on TV will probably be rubbish.

Glad I didn't go to Southwold, they looked as if they went south of Aldeburgh this year.
I did see the C17 with its little friend go past my house though.

[paullangford]

I don't think they should have put it on at all, with over 600 displaced people and god only knows how many dead people in a tower block pretty close to the flightpath.
The desparate search for loved ones while someones birthday celebrations are flying overhead didn't sit well with me.

[Fives]

Obviously bucking the trend on this forum, I enjoyed the actual event (didn't watch on tv though).

The county of Middlesex does not normally see anything 'off route' because of the Heathrow area understandably, so when a C-17 and 146 pass to my left rather low and then another string of aircraft (including Tornado and Typhoons) overfly to my right it's enjoyable:)

It sounds great too!!

[Vulcanone]

Given the number of private helicopters that usually run into London daily along the stretch of road running upto the A40 from Shepherds Bush either going to/from Battersea.

I can't see how one flypast of so few RAF Aircraft makes much difference, and that doesn't include the odd airliner cutting corners over that part of London going into LHR.

Just a thought.

T

[paullangford]

Given the number of private helicopters that usually run into London daily along the stretch of road running upto the A40 from Shepherds Bush either going to/from Battersea.

I can't see how one flypast of so few RAF Aircraft makes much difference, and that doesn't include the odd airliner cutting corners over that part of London going into LHR.

Just a thought.

T

Hi Vulcanone,

I understand what your angle is, but this situation is a bit different.
There was a celebration going on overhead while a major tragedy is still unfolding underneath, a celebration that could have been cancelled or moved onto a different date.
I found it disrespectful. It was like conga working its way through a funeral procession.............. or someone talking through a minutes silence.
The flights you're talking about are normal daily stuff...................this wasn't normal daily stuff.
If the event was an atrocity like the Westminster Bridge massacre, then yes, lets carry on as normal and stick two fingers up to the terrorists................but this weeks event was something else, it could have caused a riot.
There's alot of understandably unhappy people about, they've already stormed the council offices.

[Vulcanone]

Respect your thoughts Paul, but they still trooped the colour on the ground and fired the gun salute in Green park as well. Don't think there were any protests at that?

T

[paullangford]

Respect your thoughts Paul, but they still trooped the colour on the ground and fired the gun salute in Green park as well. Don't think there were any protests at that?

T

This is true, and there was a minutes silence to be fair, but alot of people on the ground at Latimer Road wouldn't have seen that, but would have seen the flypast.
Anyway, just my thoughts, and I respect yours as well Vulcanone

On another slightly different point, I read on here I think that the Harriers weren't allowed to participate in flypasts over the Capital, due to being single engined and having a rather short glide slope if that engine failed.
I'm wondering how future flypasts would look when the F35B comes into service, would they be allowed in London flypasts ?

[Vulcanone]

Think it is indeed true that the Harriers had the gliding ability of a brick without engine power. As for the flying wheely bin, pass I expect they will find someway to get it over there.

Most importantly however... Next year is the last full year of Tornado ops, so hopefully they can get a 16 ship up???

Time will tell

T

[lambo1784]

I was at North Weald and what little there was was barely visible,according to locals it seemed much further south than previous years.
Many suggestions to have some USAF involved after all I believe they are taking part in flypast in Paris so why not here.
No 135 or E3 this year a very poor show.

John in Seaford

[plmc135]

I don't think they should have put it on at all, with over 600 displaced people and god only knows how many dead people in a tower block pretty close to the flightpath.
The desparate search for loved ones while someones birthday celebrations are flying overhead didn't sit well with me.

I wonder what the sentiments would have been like if the disaster was close by to Fairford and had occurred just before RIAT. Would there have been calls to cancel it?

[markranger]

I was there and think it was better they showed the aircraft instead of the shear lack of people (Compared to previous years)
That were there.
With what's gone on on the last few months despite the " we must go about our lives as normal" I honestly think people do not want to be in large crowds at the moment.
Real shame.

[paullangford]

I don't think they should have put it on at all, with over 600 displaced people and god only knows how many dead people in a tower block pretty close to the flightpath.
The desparate search for loved ones while someones birthday celebrations are flying overhead didn't sit well with me.

I wonder what the sentiments would have been like if the disaster was close by to Fairford and had occurred just before RIAT. Would there have been calls to cancel it?

My sentiments would be exactly the same, if Marston Meysey or Kempsford had been burnt to the ground with massive loss of life..............watching an airshow overhead within the same week wouldn't sit well with me either.

[Thunder]

I don't think they should have put it on at all, with over 600 displaced people and god only knows how many dead people in a tower block pretty close to the flightpath.
The desparate search for loved ones while someones birthday celebrations are flying overhead didn't sit well with me.

I wonder what the sentiments would have been like if the disaster was close by to Fairford and had occurred just before RIAT. Would there have been calls to cancel it?

My sentiments would be exactly the same, if Marston Meysey or Kempsford had been burnt to the ground with massive loss of life..............watching an airshow overhead within the same week wouldn't sit well with me either.

Totally agree with you Paul, I was surprised that the flypast went ahead as well. Plmc135 are you saying that if a tradegy on the scale of Grenfell happened next to Fairford you would expect RIAT to carry on as normal?

[Pete Da Bear]

I think, given the circumstances, a pass from the Red Arrows would have been sufficient. The actual fly past was not that great and wouldn't have been missed, any chance of upset would have therefore been negated.
I hope that MOD/RAF pull out all the stops though for 2018 the RAF centenary year. Wishful thinking but it would be nice to start a flypast with BBMF including Lancaster and Dakota and maybe extra spitfires and hurricanes from Duxford and Biggin Hill. Training aircraft, at least one of each ( Prefect and Phenom if available as well), Wokas, pumas and squirrels. Then the heavy lifters and shifters in pairs. Electronic warfare section and then four ships from every Typhoon and Tonka squadron with F335 flight by OCU ( 17 Sqn ? ) all topped off with the Reds. Oh and not forgetting that each lead aircraft of each formation would be in squadron markings and a special anniversary livery. I can but dream. Whatever we get, I hope there will be no circumstances like the present. Somebody with the correct skills for filming aviation events and a fully briefed and knowledgeable commentator would also be most welcome. I'm old enough to remember the late great Raymond Baxter and his commentaries on such events.
On a serious note condolences to all those affected by the tragic events at Grenfell Tower.
I've not seen mention yet of the fast approaching Notting Hill Carnival, August Bank Holiday weekend. Surely his will have to be cancelled. Not just as a matter of respect but also the local authority and emergence services will still be dealing with the aftermath of the tragic event.