Lancaster Flypast: Ladybower/Derwent/Howden, May 2013?

[dr_gn]

Just a quick heads-up for anyone close to the Peak District:

I think there is a flypast planned for Thursday 16th May for the BBMF Lancaster over the Howden/Derwent/Ladybower dams. Not sure what time.

I've always missed these events in the past, but I'll try to get out there for this one. With it being the 70th anniversary of the raids, there could well be more RAF aircraft involved.

Ta.

[dr_gn]

Dunk130TC said:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/displayinfo/

D

I did have a quick look on there, but couldn't find anything.

I found a suggestion on a random website (that I can't find now) that there is something planned. I'd have thought so since it is a big anniversary.

[dr_gn]

IanMorewood said:

Have pictures from last time she flew over but will try and keep the date free to see her over the towers again.

What is access to the Fairhomes car park area like? In fact I'd be interested to know what access is allowed in general to the dams area?

I was planning on parking perhaps at Strines and biking up to Whinstone Lee Tor for a good view of the aircraft banking away (presumably to the left), to avoid Win Hill.

[dr_gn]

IanMorewood said:

Parking within a couple of miles of the dams last time was a pain in the bum, lots of police, lots of bollards and loads of traffic. Restrictions where limited to marked footpaths only and there where a lot of people walking so riding a bike would have been tricky. Parking up on the Strines and shooting/viewing down into the valley could be a good idea if you have a good scope/binos/lens although you will miss the chance of the iconic between the towers view.

I can't think of a good "above" viewing place for between the towers, at least not one that's close.

Strange there's nothing on either the BBMF or Peak District websites so cose to the event (assuming there is one).

[dr_gn]

Upatdawn said:

Ledaig said:

Odd that they would tell us about this but not a flight over the dams.......

probably trying to avoid a rush up there

Then again what's the point of a flypast if nobody's there to see it?

[dr_gn]

GreatGranny said:

I know the area pretty well after living in Sheffield for over 20 years.
Anywhere with 2-3 miles will be heaving so either get there very early or be prepared for a walk.
Strines is probably a 2 hour walk over the tops.
You could park near Hagg Farm and walk to the western side but its quite wooded that side so viewing may be a problem.

Strines might be a 2 hour walk to the dam wall itself cross-country, but it's probably only 45 mins on a bike by road/bridleway (depending on how many people are on the bridleways).

To get to the Hagg Farm side from Sheffield, you'd have to pass through the most congested area, and parking would probably be a nightmare (if there are no spaces left, or no parking allowed, then what do you do?), so there would seem to be little point from a hassle point of view.

It all depends on where parking is allowed and as you say, how early the traffic builds up.

Mountain biking would seem to be a good option. I'll have a recce session on Sunday morning.

[dr_gn]

GreatGranny said:

Sorry yes Hagg Farm is ok only if you are coming from Glossop direction.

I was just about to suggest mountain biking but not ideal for some people.

Even parking Bamford or Thornhill and cycling along the eastern side of Ladybower and Derwent would be an easy route, nice and flat :-)

Yeah, or Bamford, or even Hope would be OK too - there's a bridleway over the hill to the A57, then up to the Hagg Side ridge. Might be even better then the Strines idea, but despite having been biking in that area for nearly 15 years I can't remember if there's a good vantage point above and in the vicinity of the dam wall (on either side). There are plenty of good views at the A57 bridge end of the dam, but they'd be a fair distance from the aircraft I think. Maybe just stand somewhere on the perimeter track near the towers and be done with it?

[dr_gn]

IanMorewood said:

Sheffield side if you get the right spot on Pike Low you should be able to see the towers on Howden Water pretty well. You would need a decent zoom lens to take quality photo's.

It's the Derwent dam wall they fly low over usually I think. Howden is the first of the three dams in the valley. There is a Pike Low adjacent to the Howden dam wall (presumably that's the one you mean?), but the summit must be more than 1/2 mile from the flightpath.

[dr_gn]

There's an on-board video from the Lancaster doing a flyover of the dams somewhere on YouTube.

[dr_gn]

GreatGranny said:

dr_gn said:

Yeah, or Bamford, or even Hope would be OK too - there's a bridleway over the hill to the A57, then up to the Hagg Side ridge. Might be even better then the Strines idea, but despite having been biking in that area for nearly 15 years I can't remember if there's a good vantage point above and in the vicinity of the dam wall (on either side). There are plenty of good views at the A57 bridge end of the dam, but they'd be a fair distance from the aircraft I think. Maybe just stand somewhere on the perimeter track near the towers and be done with it?

Pretty sure on the east side its pretty clear, i know on the west side its densely wooded with only the occasional view down to Derwent.

I'm always too busy trying not to fall off to look at the views :-)

I'm off for a lads weekend next weekend staying in Hathersage and I was planning on doing a MTB route around Ladybower and Derwent on the friday.

i will make sure I take notice of the views this time.

I'm just about to head out there now mountain biking - I'll try and find some potential viewing places.

[dr_gn]

IanMorewood said:

Sheffield side if you get the right spot on Pike Low you should be able to see the towers on Howden Water pretty well. You would need a decent zoom lens to take quality photo's.

Yup, I think you're right - although the summit of Pike Low is a long way from the wall. You would get a clear view from about 1/3 of the way up, just above the small plantation in the vicinity of Jubilee cottages. That's where I'll be heading, although it will be a bike/walk expedition. ETA I found a photo of the view:

Edited by dr_gn on Monday 22 April 08:49

[dr_gn]

http://dambustersblog.com/category/bbmf/

"The BBMF has at last announced that there will be a Lancaster flyover at Derwent Reservoir (the Ladybower Dam) on Thursday 16 May between 1300 and 1315. However, access will be severely restricted – no tickets are being issued, parking is severely limited, and the roads will be closed if they become overly busy. See here for full details. The Lancaster flyover will be followed by modern day Tornadoes from 617 Squadron.
The aircraft, which are expected to comprise the Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane (although this is not specified), will then fly on to Chatsworth at 1320 where, the RAF is keen to tell you, there is plenty of parking (costing £3 per vehicle) and opportunity to take pictures. This may well be the better option unless you are willing to spend a lot of time either hiking cross country to the dam or waiting in very long traffic queues".

[dr_gn]

frodo_monkey said:

Glad to see some people are interested in our flypast - I'm a backseater on the Dambusters and we're really proud to be able to celebrate our history like this. I was down practicing today and (jet serviceability dependant) we'll bring a pair down the dams run tomorrow afternoon before nipping into Scampton. Can't give more specific timings I'm afraid but we'll do our best to pitch up and wave

Definitely interested, and thanks for your contribution. I'll be taking a day off work and walking a few miles to get a good vantage point. I'll wave - look out for me on the hill on the left of the wall

BTW, just an FYI for anyone else going: there is a nice little museum in the Ladybower dam wall west tower dedicated to the dams raid - well worth a trip after the flypast (if it's open).

[dr_gn]

How many passes do the aircraft usually make?

[dr_gn]

frodo_monkey said:

Two of us down there today at about 2:15pm, anybody on the ground? I was in the one with the tailart...

Give us an hours notice next time and I'll slide over there and watch...

[dr_gn]

V8LM said:

dr_gn said:

frodo_monkey said:

Two of us down there today at about 2:15pm, anybody on the ground? I was in the one with the tailart...

Give us an hours notice next time and I'll slide over there and watch...

I think he did...

frodo_monkey said:

we'll bring a pair down the dams run tomorrow afternoon before nipping into Scampton. Can't give more specific timings I'm afraid but we'll do our best to pitch up and wave

Fair comment, but worth a try.

[dr_gn]

frodo_monkey said:

Can't really do either of those I'm afraid... A jet should be popping through the Dams on Monday (not me though) and then the flypast proper is on Thurs

Are you flying on Thursday then? If so, can you tell us how many passes over then dam wall you'll be making? Thanks.

[dr_gn]

Right, day off work booked, planning on getting to Cut throat Bridge car park at 10:30 and walking to Pike Low.

ETA more info:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/news/index.cfm?storyid=...

[dr_gn]

mcdjl said:

dr_gn said:

Right, day off work booked, planning on getting to Cut throat Bridge car park at 10:30 and walking to Pike Low.

Did biking up that side not work out? The tracks look like they might give good views from the map which was going to be my plan.

Currently plan B is take the bikes, which is great for getting from the car to the Dam wall, but you can't then take them up the hill: it's a) steep, and b) a footpath. It would be a question of chaining them to a tree and leaving them.

Then there's the uncertainty of how close we'll be able to get: at 10:30, will Fairhomes or the car parks on the Fairhomes road be already full? If they're not, then it's fine, just walk up the hill. If they're shut it's at least an hour of walking.

[dr_gn]

Mutley said:

Question for those who know the area, which side of the dam will be best to view/take photos from?

East side in terms of sun position I think (noted this a couple of weeks ago while biking out there).