WAH-64 Over Milton Keynes ["I just saw a..."]
WAH-64 Over Milton Keynes ["I just saw a..."]
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Discussion

Graebob

Original Poster:

2,172 posts

236 months

Tuesday 21st February 2012
quotequote all
Apologies for what is essentially another "I just saw one of these and don't know why it's here" thread, but here goes.

About 15 minutes ago I saw an Apache flying over the south of Milton Keynes (about 400 yards from Red Bull Racing actually biggrin) and wondered what it's doing around these parts? We sometimes get Chinooks but I've never seen an Apache in this area...

I could add that it was travelling west > east

Edited by Graebob on Tuesday 21st February 12:29

Fat Albert

1,462 posts

210 months

Tuesday 21st February 2012
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It was probably going home to Wattisham from somewhere...perhaps Shawbury?

Boatbuoy

1,975 posts

191 months

Tuesday 21st February 2012
quotequote all
They are a regular sight directly over my parents house which is just to the North of RAF Henlow, and about 15 miles due East of MK. When I used to fly ATC gliders out of Henlow there wasn't much room to go to the South due to the controlled airspace around Luton Airport, and there isn't much room between Luton and London below. I've seen the Apaches going over East to West or vice versa, and I've always assumed that they were transitting between Wattisham (Suffolk) and Middle Wallop (Hampshire) skirting round the top of London and Luton. I guess that your one might have simply taken a track over MK where as they probably normally pass on the South side.

You could write to Clarence House and ask if the Ginger Ninja could explain, but they might get a little suspicious of your intentions. On second thoughts, don't do that!

Graebob

Original Poster:

2,172 posts

236 months

Tuesday 21st February 2012
quotequote all
It was a nice sight, I recognised by the sound before I could even see it that it wasn't the usual buzzboxes straight away. Nice to know that if I keep my ears peeled I might see another smile Thanks for the info!

smack

9,773 posts

220 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2012
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Graebob said:
It was a nice sight, I recognised by the sound before I could even see it that it wasn't the usual buzzboxes straight away.
There is quite a bit of helicopter traffic around my way, mainly S-76 type kit with a few times a day Mil passing by, especially if I am around during a weekday. Chinooks pass by a few time a day, and every so often a Merlin or an Apache, and every once in a while a Lynx. The RAF/AAC toys do stand out sound wise!

hurstg01

3,219 posts

272 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2012
quotequote all
the noise didnt end with a 'bang' did it?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2104745/Ap...

wink

Boatbuoy

1,975 posts

191 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2012
quotequote all
hurstg01 said:
the noise didnt end with a 'bang' did it?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2104745/Ap...

wink
Oooops!

Not Ideal

3,054 posts

217 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2012
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Big oops! It catch it with the undercarriage..??

eccles

14,365 posts

251 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2012
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Typical Daily wail rubbish. It hit the wires, wire cutter did it's job and standard practice after a wire strike is land as soon as is practicable. They chose a soft field and the wheel sunk in, so hardly a crash! rolleyes

I believe Jimmy Doherty may have something to say though, it's parked in one of his fields.

Edited by eccles on Wednesday 22 February 18:04

jonny142

1,804 posts

254 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2012
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smack

9,773 posts

220 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2012
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jonny142 said:
Nice closeups there!

eharding

14,648 posts

313 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2012
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Unlit helicopter night operations in the area subject of a NOTAM, but the incident appears to have taken place outside of the specific published extent of the exercise....

NOTAM EGTT-H0306/12