View Full Version : Low flying in Wales with the RAF
Bluepete
19-10-10, 05:45 PM
After Chris posted about The Mach Loop in Wales on my "BP has a new job" thread, I have been planning on going and having a look. Mike fancied a ride, so two birds, one stone etc.
The weather was supposed to be glorious today, according to Metcheck's forecast last week, so time off was booked and plans made. Collected Mike from Ruthin at 10.00am and we had a cracking ride down to one of the Mach Loop's viewing spots called Cad West. It's near Dolgellau and a 15 minute walk up a hillside.
We arrived at the layby, having seen a lone Hawk near Bala and began getting out of bike kit and into hiking kit when suddenly, the air was split with the almighty roar of a Tornado screaming over our heads! We both whooped and hollered, bit like kids really.
We climbed up the hill, stopping often to enjoy the view (we told ourselves in between the puffing and panting!) when another pair of Tornados went over.
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0007-2.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0008-3.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0009-1.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0010-3.jpg
I was far too excited for an adult out in pubic, but come on, a Tornado only touching distance away! The noise is shocking, the energy from the 'plane is immense!
So we carried on up the hill to where we had a clear view East towards Bala and beyond.
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0033-1.jpg
The view the other way was captivating and constanly changing as the weather fronts blew through - and boy, did they blow!
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0030-2.jpg
At the best spot, we found a bloke and his lad all set up with a tent and a pair of mahoosive lenses! The Dad was an RAF official photographer and was happy to share pointers and locations for good shots.
We hung around for a few hours, chewing the fat, telling tall tales and snapping 'planes passing.
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0024-2.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0026-1.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0018-4.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0035-1.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0036.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0038.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0051.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0052.jpg
And finally, Mike posing!
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0055-1.jpg
Mike had my compact camera and managed a superb video of a Hawk passing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv5arkAfC_o
All in all, a cracking day out. Superb roads good company, amazing views of aircraft and Wales at it's photogenic best.
Pete ;)
Pete,
There is a site dedicated to low flying aircraft (mostly in Wales) recommended to me by a photographer I know who frequents the area (along with frequent visits to race meetings)
Try the site HERE (http://www.flylow-flyfast.co.uk/)for more info.
HTH
Specialone
19-10-10, 05:56 PM
Awesome, id love to be able to catch a few shots of them, big lense needed i think.
christopher
19-10-10, 05:59 PM
Nice photos and sounds like a good time was had, not jealous at all being stuck in work all day... :rolleyes:
edit: looks like you got lucky with the weather as well, was pouring down in Chester most of the day!
Some fantastic shots Pete, just a shame there weren't any Harriers due to them all being grounded at 10am :(
Incredible!... I SAID INCREDIBLE!
... cos he's now deaf ! :)
maviczap
19-10-10, 06:03 PM
Superb pics BP & Mike. Seen jaguar's fly like this in Scotland in the 80's
The Tornado's were featured in our local morning news, as RAF Marham could close?
But instead of calling them Tornado's the silly girl called them Torpedo's, not once but twice in seperate news bulletins. Silly mare
Respect to them pilots for doing this
Cottesmore is closing, Marham is staying open isn't it?
There's also talk that the Army could use Lossiemouth and Cottesmore as accommodation for the soldiers currently in Germany, so they (hopefully) won't stay closed for too long
maviczap
19-10-10, 06:22 PM
Cottesmore is closing, Marham is staying open isn't it?
There's also talk that the Army could use Lossiemouth and Cottesmore as accommodation for the soldiers currently in Germany, so they (hopefully) won't stay closed for too long
Don't know about Marham, missed tonights local news
When RAF Woodbridge closed, the army engineers moved in, Wattisham is now the home of the Army Air Corp, with those lovely Apache helipopers.
Saw one flying back to base today. I love em :smt051
I may have got that the wrong way around, I'm suffering with a head cold at the moment :)
I heard the article on the news saying that the Army still has 15,000 squaddies in Germany, along with their families, who are still there, 20 years after the end of the Cold War, simply because there's no room here for them - so the Army would be very interested in Cottesmore and Lossie, at least that would help keep the local economies going, one would hope
minimorecambe
19-10-10, 06:28 PM
Great photos there :D
maviczap
19-10-10, 06:33 PM
I may have got that the wrong way around, I'm suffering with a head cold at the moment :)
I heard the article on the news saying that the Army still has 15,000 squaddies in Germany, along with their families, who are still there, 20 years after the end of the Cold War, simply because there's no room here for them - so the Army would be very interested in Cottesmore and Lossie, at least that would help keep the local economies going, one would hope
Yes, they're meant to be coming home, although I think we do tank & battleground training over there
MOD owned land might also be sold off
metalangel
19-10-10, 06:54 PM
I think I had one of these go screaming overhead on either the M50 or A449 near Ross on Monday morning about 11am.
Geodude
19-10-10, 06:56 PM
Superb pics :)
Wideboy
19-10-10, 06:57 PM
mega cool!
Biker Biggles
19-10-10, 07:09 PM
Great pics.Reminds me of standing on a mountain by Loch Ness looking down at the passing jets and getting waves from the pilots.
Cymraeg_Atodeg
19-10-10, 07:09 PM
This is a common thing up the valleys. My dad has been racing along the A465 blue lights and two tones going looking down at a Jaguar coming up the side of the valley. It then turned and chased him along the road buzzing him at (he says) 50 feet... Nut jobs!
Cool! :smt119
Wouldnt mind a little hike in the valleys 1 day and a bit of plane spotting :) anyone in the know that could tell me how often they fly by? Im assuming not everyday and doubt they post it up on a notice board somewhere ;)
christopher
19-10-10, 07:17 PM
doubt they post it up on a notice board somewhere ;)
The MOD publish them online (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/AirSafetyandAviationPublications/MilitaryLowFlying/OperationalLowFlyingTrainingTimetable.htm).
Cymraeg_Atodeg
19-10-10, 07:19 PM
Cool! :smt119
Wouldnt mind a little hike in the valleys 1 day and a bit of plane spotting :) anyone in the know that could tell me how often they fly by? Im assuming not everyday and doubt they post it up on a notice board somewhere ;)
It isn't really "time-tabled" it is more if it is a clear day and they are in the area they will do low level runs as the valleys are good training routes
The MOD publish them online (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/AirSafetyandAviationPublications/MilitaryLowFlying/OperationalLowFlyingTrainingTimetable.htm).
#-othanks Chris lol
Bugger, they dont do weekends! :p
Cymraeg_Atodeg
19-10-10, 07:28 PM
The MOD publish them online (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/AirSafetyandAviationPublications/MilitaryLowFlying/OperationalLowFlyingTrainingTimetable.htm).
Well, shut my mouth! Doesn't that seem a bit silly though?
Suppose not much to be gained shooting down one plane...
Bluepete
19-10-10, 07:30 PM
That published llist apparently only refers to the very low fly zone. They fly every weekday on the Mach Loop, no flying at weekends.
Pete ;)
tactcom7
19-10-10, 07:53 PM
Well, shut my mouth! Doesn't that seem a bit silly though?
Suppose not much to be gained shooting down one plane...
They're trying to avoid horse riders getting thrown off and killed etc.
Pete - awesome photos, thanks for sharing.
MR UKI (1)
19-10-10, 08:48 PM
Awesome pics, I soooooooooo want to go there since seeing pics on Talk photography website! Another good site here with directions etc http://www.warplane.co.uk/essentialskill.htm
And this pic was taken up there also :-)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1289185/Navigators-gag-amuses-plane-spotters-fighter-jet-races-Snowdonia.html
MR UKI (1)
19-10-10, 08:51 PM
Oh and it can be a bit 'hit and miss' apparantly. Sometimes you can be positioned on one exit of the valley and they use the other exit, but adds to the excitement if one passes though :D
Luckypants
19-10-10, 10:11 PM
Super pics Pete, it was a great day, even though the weather closed in. ride home was fun though :smt040
It was truly awesome to be above the planes doing 500 knots banked over to fit between the hills, looking down on the crew! When the Tornado went literally over our heads as we were climbing the hill and only 50 odd foot above us (or so it seemed), the noise was immense and the ground shook!
Great idea to go Pete and all of you wishing to go - I'm definitely up for another day on a hill! :cheers:
Those pics are just terrific. I'd love to go have a geek!!!!!
beabert
19-10-10, 10:50 PM
Saw one last year, was standing on the elan valley craig goch dam and it shot over us out of know where, the sound was amazing.
missyburd
19-10-10, 11:03 PM
truly awesome pics, you lucky beggars! I remember when YC and I were hiking in the lakes a few years ago now, we were fortunate enough to have a jet thingmabob fly through the mountains we were in, the sound was phenomenal, reverberating of the hillsides. Fantastic pieces of engineering :)
xXBADGERXx
19-10-10, 11:31 PM
Great day out there guys , shame about Cottesmore and Marham , I have spent time on both of those bases .
BanannaMan
20-10-10, 02:48 AM
Wow!! The aircraft, the scenery, the roads!
Awesome gets tossed around quite often these days,
but that is, by anyone's definition, what is called a truely awesome rideout.
Amazing pics!! Thanks for sharing!
:thumbsup:
Luckypants
20-10-10, 08:59 AM
The MOD publish them online (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/AirSafetyandAviationPublications/MilitaryLowFlying/OperationalLowFlyingTrainingTimetable.htm). Those are the times are for flying in the Tactical Training Area to the south of the mach loop, they are allowed to fly much lower and faster there than elsewhere. Chris is right, they are published for the farmers, horse riders, etc to be aware in case they or their animals are spooked.
Flying on the mach loop is most week-days when visibility is over 5km. What you get to see is pot-luck, but you will probably get at least a few Hawks from Valley. The guy we met on the mountain had taken a week off to photograph from various points on the loop, so there must be enough traffic to make that worth it.
dizzyblonde
20-10-10, 09:05 AM
OOO likey, likey lots!!
I love the noise of proper close aircraft, blows out the old ear fluff :-)
My ears are still ringing from the Lancaster taxi run, in July!!
Speedy Claire
20-10-10, 09:21 AM
Great pics Pete, noise must`ve been deafening!
That reminds me of something i saw a long time ago back when RAF St Athan was an active base, they had an air show going on and one plane decided to turn round literally in my street talk about low level flying he must have been a couple of feet above the telephone poles.
I also know of a story that my grandpa told me one day when he was in the tower of bembridge airport during an air race going on, someone phoned up complaining that a plane just flew extreemly close to their house waving through the window, the response given was "well at least he waved".
There is a thread on Pistonhead aviation section dedicated to the Mach Loop.
There is some unbelievable photos in there. Some of the best ones are of the big aircraft like hurcules and nimrod... side door open, flying lower than the photographer.
Ooo, i may go there next year :)
I got some cracking shots of the Vulcan at an air show earlier this year. It really does show up how shallow your lenses are on your camera :)
Bluepete
15-11-10, 05:33 PM
I went back today, bit of a spontanious decision. Beautiful weather heading West. Ice from kerb to kerb around the Ponderosa area and so misty around Bala I couldn't even see the lake. Crystal clear from there up to the layby near Dolgellau and warm in the sun once sheltered from the wind.
Very few aircraft around, apparently, I missed lots of exciting stuff that went through in the morning.
Only one Hawk;
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0033-2.jpg
that went around and scared the runny poo out of me by going straight at me, then vertical right overhead!
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0036-1.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0037-1.jpg
I couldn't stay long so wandered down the hill back to the bike. Of course, that was the moment a dirty great Hercules thundered through the valley.
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/DSC_0049-1.jpg
Pete ;)
-Ralph-
15-11-10, 05:40 PM
that went around and scared the runny poo out of me by going straight at me, then vertical right overhead!
Hmmm, me thinks he saw you pointing a camera at him and decided you give you a show :D
Treacle
15-11-10, 10:29 PM
What a fantastic thread, cheers Pete. :-)
Bluefish
16-11-10, 06:17 PM
great pics pete, love the second last one of the hawk with the contrails :D
yorkie_chris
16-11-10, 06:20 PM
Have seen loads of planes around and about when out walking and stuff... one that sticks in the memory was in the lakes, a couple of tornados went over us, we were just crossing a dip in between a couple of hills and they had same idea. Near enough to raise dust off the floor!
Luckypants
17-01-12, 03:08 PM
Resurrecting this thread after this was posted on FB by one of my daughter's college friends
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402801_594090992827_309600147_2830093_1001060709_n .jpg
Taken from Cad West....
appollo1
17-01-12, 03:39 PM
Torandos are so last year......it is Typhoons now don't you know!!
We have the Typhoons here and they are not as loud as the Tornado thankfully but when the Typhoon takes off it tends to set the car alarms off in the car park!
Bluepete
17-01-12, 05:43 PM
I've been back many times since. There is something very therapeutic about sitting on a hill watching the view change as the clouds scud by.
There are some really talented photographers who go there, one of the best is this guy.
http://belmaati.zenfolio.com/
Pete ;)
Bluefish
17-01-12, 10:22 PM
wow, fab pics on that site Pete :smt045
davepreston
17-01-12, 11:17 PM
sick to death of the fecking things, typhoon, tornado, hawk, chipmunk, c130's and fecking f35's
noisey sh1tes must admit i have kicked 1 or 2 during a day
Grant66
18-01-12, 09:20 AM
They have F35s flying from there now?
They get less impressive the closer to working with them you get :) Especially when working anywhere near a runway.
Bluepete
18-01-12, 01:58 PM
Some of my efforts...
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6092/6283017683_bd94f4bea4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56319875@N06/6283017683/)
Hawk with rear seater hand up (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56319875@N06/6283017683/) by valandpetephillips (http://www.flickr.com/people/56319875@N06/), on Flickr
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6239/6283013815_e9f50da9af_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56319875@N06/6283013815/)
Hawk at Bwlch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56319875@N06/6283013815/) by valandpetephillips (http://www.flickr.com/people/56319875@N06/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6441221129_5d23ffe32c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56319875@N06/6441221129/)
Typhoon without blur (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56319875@N06/6441221129/) by valandpetephillips (http://www.flickr.com/people/56319875@N06/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6441058833_a75664d185_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56319875@N06/6441058833/)
Tornado at Bluebell (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56319875@N06/6441058833/) by valandpetephillips (http://www.flickr.com/people/56319875@N06/), on Flickr
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6101/6283672766_0ab12614a7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56319875@N06/6283672766/)
Eagle B&W (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56319875@N06/6283672766/) by valandpetephillips (http://www.flickr.com/people/56319875@N06/), on Flickr
Pete ;)
davepreston
18-01-12, 05:37 PM
yeah grant some testing being done after they found that little landing problem lol
The Idle Biker
18-01-12, 09:20 PM
Brilliant photos! Reminds me to go some Air shows this year. Now those guys have got the best jobs in the world!
MisterTommyH
18-01-12, 11:53 PM
chipmunk
Bloody hell - are there any of them left?
Are they flying all year round during the week? I feel a day off may be in order.
Specialone
19-01-12, 07:16 AM
Bloody hell - are there any of them left?
Are they flying all year round during the week? I feel a day off may be in order.
Yep, I'd love to see those too :)
Bluepete
19-01-12, 07:30 AM
They fly every weekday, but you cannot guarantee anything will come to the loop.
Have a look on www.fox2.co.uk
In the locations and get togethers secton, look at Wales for the viewing locations. The are a few in the loop area.
Pete ;)
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