Mach Loop - Wales

[Graham Haynes]

Promised Carolyn I'd post some photos from my trip to the Mach Loop low-fly area in Wales. Day 1 (yesterday) was a blank due to the ash cloud sitting right over us but today was much better!

Spent yesterday at a point known as the Bwlch but decided to give Cad West a try today. A slow start but improved in the afternoon. Weather was variable and the light was really poor when the F-15E made his two passes. Scenery is fantastic but the climbing is a killer! 
Harrier GR.9

Harrier GR.9

A bit high this one.....Tornado GR.4

Beechcraft King Air

F-15E

Harrier GR.9


Will return to Cad West tomorrow!

Graham

[James Wheeler]

Some nice shots there Graham. Hope the weather improves for you.

Doing combat training in the King Air were they?

Did you get any waves from the pilots?

[Graham Haynes]

Thanks James. Yes, praying for much better light tomorrow so I can drop the ISO a notch or two and get rid of some of the graininess. Forecast does look promising at the mo.

No idea what the King Air was doing...possibly a bit of sight-seeing! He was bounced by a pair of Harriers at the entrance to the loop though!

Had a couple of waves from the backseater in the Eagle.
Cheers.

Graham

Some nice shots there Graham. Hope the weather improves for you.

Doing combat training in the King Air were they?

Did you get any waves from the pilots?

[SoundmanJohn]

Great shots, Graham. What kit were you using?

John

[rrmerlin]

As the King Air has RAF markings, it could possibly be for familiarizing new pilots with the course layout or possibly a transition flight for upgrading pilots to a new aircraft.
David

[paul b]

 

   Interesting photos Graham, looks like a great way to spend a day sat on a hillside, look forward to the next batch. 

             Paul   

[Graham Haynes]

Thanks John. I am using a Canon 40D with a 100-400IS L Series lens.

Graham

Great shots, Graham. What kit were you using?

John

[Graham Haynes]

Hi David,
The King Air replaced the Domine in RAF service and is used to train Navigators. It was most likely on a navigational training exercise in the Mach Loop as it also came through today.
Regards.

Graham

As the King Air has RAF markings, it could possibly be for familiarizing new pilots with the course layout or possibly a transition flight for upgrading pilots to a new aircraft.
David

[Graham Haynes]

It has its moments Paul. For about 10 hours of sitting on a hillside we only had about 10 mins of excitement! We also had to sit through rain, sleet and snow! It is worth it though, to see and photograph frontline jets doing what they do best....fast and low! 

Graham

 

   Interesting photos Graham, looks like a great way to spend a day sat on a hillside, look forward to the next batch. 

             Paul   

[Graham Haynes]

Here's an update from Day 3 of sitting on a remote hillside in Wales. A lot less activity than yesterday but a single pass from a Typhoon more than made up for this!  

Typhoon



The same King Air as yesterday


Several Hawks came through the loop today. They were grounded yesterday due to volcanic ash being found in the engines of two of them.



Hope to have even more success tomorrow!  

Graham

[Graham Haynes]

Well here is the pick from my last day up in the hills. Decided to head to Corris Corner today and ended up staying all day as I couldn't face the prospect of two climbs in one day! We don't get hills and mountains in Suffolk and I've discovered muscles I never knew I had!   
Not an exciting day really with only Harriers and Hawks coming to play. The highlight would have to be a couple of passes from Hawk T.2 ZK026.















Will be heading back home tomorrow but can't wait to return to the Mach Loop next year.
Cheers.

Graham