Why are these buzzing us?

[Hunky Dory]

Well, whilst sitting having my dinner tonight, I hear a very distinct rumble coming towards us and do the usual thing of popping outside to take a look and eventually two of these appear flying side-by-side and very slowly.

I am just north of Stafford and have never seen anything this exciting before, much less travelling together and so slowly. Any particular explaination, or just run of the mill and I've not been paying attention?

[ecsrobin]

Run of the mill I'd say, at Stafford you have the tactical supply wing who provide fuel at their helicopter landing site.

[anonymous-user]

Yep,

RAF Staff was the local RAF Station to our ATC unit so we used to have weekend camps there every year. Heli's (including MH-53s) in and out quite a lot, especially late at night.

Now we have pairs of Apaches over the house transiting to Salisbury Plain from (I think) a FARP at Hullavington.

[Boatbuoy]

To answer the first half of your question, it is - as Coanda states - a WAH-64D Apache Longbow (Apache). Normally operated in pairs by the British Army. Quality bits of kit, it's what Captain Wales (Prince Harry) gets paid to chug around in; git

[Simpo Two]

At Wattisham too I think?

Not as fun as the Lightnings that used to be there...

[Boatbuoy]

Yes, they are based at Wattisham and Middle Wallop.

[W8PMC]

See these quite often when i'm in my office Nr Stowmarket in Suffolk. Am lead to believe an Apache base is fairly nearby. Fantastic looking heli's

[Simpo Two]

W8PMC said:

See these quite often when i'm in my office Nr Stowmarket in Suffolk. Am lead to believe an Apache base is fairly nearby.

Yes, Wattisham!

[FunkyNige]

They must be trying to get their flying hours in while the weather is nice as I saw a couple zig zagging across the A1066 in South Norfolk as I drove home this evening, not sure where they came from though (maybe Simpo knows....).

Also saw a couple I didn't recognise earlier, presumably army as they were flying very low, obviously in a pair and the proximity to Wattisham, they were like chunky Lynxes but not Pumas.

[ecsrobin]

Wattisham is the home of the apache, the only other apaches is a small amount at middle wallop. As for your chunky lynx, it could be the lynx "halfords edition" aka wildcat

[FunkyNige]

ecsrobin said:

Wattisham is the home of the apache, the only other apaches is a small amount at middle wallop. As for your chunky lynx, it could be the lynx "halfords edition" aka wildcat

I'll try and get a better look if they go past again, looking at the Army Air Corps website they only operate the Lynx, Wildcat and Bell 212 of that size and I would've thought I'd recognise those.

I was also wrong about getting in the flying in nice weather, it's currently raining and there's a pair of Apaches going round in circles out the window.

[W8PMC]

Simpo Two said:

Yes, Wattisham!

Thanks. Knew i wasn't going mad

[Cheeky Jim]

There were a couple trundling around outside my office in Camberley yesterday early evening... we are right next to Sandhurst, so that might have something to do with it?

[Hunky Dory]

Thanks for the education, folks. The things you learn from the internet about what's on your door step!

[tuffer]

They fly over my house like that several times a day.....ace.

[jontysafe]

We are pretty near middle-wallop and every night without fail there is a helicopter going over around 8pm and coming back around 11pm, I am sure it's the base commander (if that's the right term) off for a few jars in his local and then bimbling back again. I know that's complete tosh but would be great if true.

[Pixel-Snapper]

I saw 4 in a group then 5 minutes or so later 2 more flew over my house (Hinckley/Leicestershire)on Saturday 7th Sept I thought that they might be gearing up for Syria or something.

I guess I just got a bit over excited then.