Unknown plane escorted over West Kent - Jets scrambled
Discussion
I have just heard what sounded like a sonic boom, nothing really definite in the news....
http://www.sevenoakschronicle.co.uk/Unknown-plane-...
http://www.sevenoakschronicle.co.uk/Unknown-plane-...
Try the other thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
telegraph breaking
Two RAF fighters triggered a sonic boom across a large area of South East England when they intercepted a foreign aircraft which was "causing concern".
The Typhoons were scrambled to escort a Russian-made Antonov An-26 cargo airliner from Latvia into Stansted Airport.
One Twitter user who monitors aircraft radio traffic claimed on Twitter: "I have just heard a warning go out 'if you do not respond to my orders immediately you will be shot down.'"
An explosion-like sound at around 16.40 on Wednesday was reported across a 50-mile radius of Kent and West Sussex and as far away as Hertfordshire and Essex.
A RAF spokesman said: "Typhoon aircraft were launched this afternoon from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft south of London which was causing concern to air traffic control authorities.
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"The aircraft was safely escorted to London Stansted.
"To fulfil their quick reaction role the Typhoons were cleared to travel at supersonic speed, any noise disturbance as a result of this is regretted.
"Essex Police now have the lead."
Twitter users from as far away as Dover on the south coast and Otford, in neighbouring West Sussex, tweeted about hearing the huge noise and windows shaking.
Paul Dunlop tweeted: "Massive explosion-like noise heard down here in Sevenoaks. Whole house shook. Can see people saying they heard it across Kent."
Cleyton Tierney wrote: "Huge bang shook the house, no idea what that was.
"Anyone else hear/feel it?"
Ben Basten added: "Who else felt the earth move and huge explosion in Kent 5 minutes ago? Is the world coming to an end? My house rocked."
A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shockwaves created when an object, such as an aircraft, breaks the sound barrier.
In April, 2012, a sonic boom was heard across five counties from Somerset to Oxfordshire after two fighter jets were scrambled to help a helicopter, after its pilot accidentally emitted an emergency signal.
Two RAF fighters triggered a sonic boom across a large area of South East England when they intercepted a foreign aircraft which was "causing concern".
The Typhoons were scrambled to escort a Russian-made Antonov An-26 cargo airliner from Latvia into Stansted Airport.
One Twitter user who monitors aircraft radio traffic claimed on Twitter: "I have just heard a warning go out 'if you do not respond to my orders immediately you will be shot down.'"
An explosion-like sound at around 16.40 on Wednesday was reported across a 50-mile radius of Kent and West Sussex and as far away as Hertfordshire and Essex.
A RAF spokesman said: "Typhoon aircraft were launched this afternoon from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft south of London which was causing concern to air traffic control authorities.
Related Articles
Four RAF Typhoon fighters will next week join Nato warplanes from Poland and Denmark in the Baltic states
RAF Typhoons scrambled to Russian bombers 23 Apr 2014
What is it like to fly a Typhoon fighter jet? 23 Jan 2014
360 degree look inside latest Typhoon jet 11 Dec 2013
Syria crisis: RAF sends Typhoon fighters to Cyprus 29 Aug 2013
Fawley refinery – post-war Britain's powerful triumph Sponsored by Esso
"The aircraft was safely escorted to London Stansted.
"To fulfil their quick reaction role the Typhoons were cleared to travel at supersonic speed, any noise disturbance as a result of this is regretted.
"Essex Police now have the lead."
Twitter users from as far away as Dover on the south coast and Otford, in neighbouring West Sussex, tweeted about hearing the huge noise and windows shaking.
Paul Dunlop tweeted: "Massive explosion-like noise heard down here in Sevenoaks. Whole house shook. Can see people saying they heard it across Kent."
Cleyton Tierney wrote: "Huge bang shook the house, no idea what that was.
"Anyone else hear/feel it?"
Ben Basten added: "Who else felt the earth move and huge explosion in Kent 5 minutes ago? Is the world coming to an end? My house rocked."
A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shockwaves created when an object, such as an aircraft, breaks the sound barrier.
In April, 2012, a sonic boom was heard across five counties from Somerset to Oxfordshire after two fighter jets were scrambled to help a helicopter, after its pilot accidentally emitted an emergency signal.
It would seem all is OK now.
The Guardian said:
A spokesman for Stansted airport said they believed that contact with the plane had been lost by air traffic controllers. The plane landed at 5.15pm at Stansted where police surrounded and checked it, as is standard procedure.
The all-clear was given at 5.42pm and the plane will continue to Birmingham, he said.
The all-clear was given at 5.42pm and the plane will continue to Birmingham, he said.
Channel 4 just played an alledged recording of the communication between the typhoons and the unknown plane. They were fully prepared to shoot it down.
Bet the typhoon pilots enjoyed themselves, fly supersonic and nearly get a chance to blow a plane out of the sky, bet the pilot of the unknown plane needed the toilet afterwards.
Bet the typhoon pilots enjoyed themselves, fly supersonic and nearly get a chance to blow a plane out of the sky, bet the pilot of the unknown plane needed the toilet afterwards.
t themselves.BlackLabel said:
I like the way he is suitably posh. Disappointed he didn't use the word chap 
I think I may have heard this earlier, I was sitting here nicely when I heard an almighty plane type noise which I reckon lasted for about 30 seconds.
Thing is I'm in essex and I thought that the sonic boom was exactly that, a boom? And not a lingering noise.
I was scrabbling to try and open the flight radar app but didn't have time.
Thing is I'm in essex and I thought that the sonic boom was exactly that, a boom? And not a lingering noise.
I was scrabbling to try and open the flight radar app but didn't have time.
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