What did I see today?

[erdnase]

Whilst driving around the northern end of Loch Lomond today, I saw a plane flying really low that made me stop and go "wow!".

All I remember is that it was big, black, and had two engines on each wing - I think they were propellers. I thought immediately that it was a military plane, given the Faslane base nearby - but that doesn't have an airstrip afaik.

It was really low, and did two circles of the area. The first time, I was waiting on my friend to come out of the pub (the Drovers, if anyone knows the area). When she came out, I was all excited and describing it to her, but it had vanished by then. I think she thought I was making it up.

A few miles up the road, we saw it again, almost on the same loop. Again, it was stunning looking - and sounding. Does anyone know what I might have saw? It was very low, slow and black, which makes me think it was a military plane. I know nothing about planes, but it put me in mind of a B-52 for some reason.

I'd love to read about it on Wiki, but can't find anything like it so far.

[mybrainhurts]

Low Flying stehawk...

Probably...

[Fabric 2.2]

Sure it wasn't a Hercules? Frequently see them very low around the Trossachs. Not sure if anyone uses black ones though!

[bobthemonkey]

Bear?

[mybrainhurts]

bobthemonkey said:

Bear?

Doubt it...

Don't look very aerodynamic to me...

[dudleybloke]

you've spotted a secret CIA rendition flight.

dont be suprised if you end up wearing some nice orange overalls!

[ninja-lewis]

Farfetched but perhaps the BBMF Lancaster

[erdnase]

I think it could have been a Hercules! I may have thought it was black because it was silhouetted against the sky.

I'm off to read up on them and their antics in that area

Cheers guys!

[Eric Mc]

A Hercules would be the most likely answer.

The BBMF Lancaster is probably in the middle of its winter hibernation at the moment.

[anonymous-user]

erdnase said:

I think it could have been a Hercules! I may have thought it was black because it was silhouetted against the sky.

I'm off to read up on them and their antics in that area

Cheers guys!

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/E8267D27-0F65-482B-BC4D-5780CD359F3D/0/olffebruary10.pdf

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/A5728B90-B8E9-412C-...

[erdnase]

pablo said:

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/E8267D27-0F65-482B-...

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/A5728B90-B8E9-412C-...

Excellent stuff! Can I expect a visit from some scary men, after viewing that?

[perdu]

erdnase said:

pablo said:

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/E8267D27-0F65-482B-...

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/A5728B90-B8E9-412C-...

Excellent stuff! Can I expect a visit from some scary men, after viewing that?

I wouldnt think so for one minute

er

do take a toothbrush with you if you go out though, never know when you'll need it

[erdnase]

I'm amazed at the collective knowledge of Pistonheads!

I gave a vague description of a plane I spotted yesterday - and today, I have the plane type, photos, and a link to their official timetable for flying over that area.

Have this picture of a low flying Hercules as my way of saying thank you!

perdu said:

erdnase said:

Excellent stuff! Can I expect a visit from some scary men, after viewing that?

I wouldnt think so for one minute

er

do take a toothbrush with you if you go out though, never know when you'll need it

Excellent. I'm sure I'll be fine.

BRB - someone at the door...

Edited by erdnase on Friday 19th February 20:59

[D4VE 3LL]

Thats a cracking shot.

Im guessing the timetable you've seen is the TTA (tacticle training area) where there allowed down to about 150ft, these are very rarely used na dyour more likely to see one outside of these times, just a 100ft higher. Get yourself on a hill with a camera

[erdnase]

D4VE 3LL said:

Im guessing the timetable you've seen is the TTA (tacticle training area)

Yep, it was the links that Pablo posted a few posts up.

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/E8267D27-0F65-482B-...

[Nicholas Blair]

Saw one over Kingussie the other day, must have been at 200ft - very impressive.

[spitfire-ian]

A regular over my parents house in Norfolk

[anonymous-user]

spitfire-ian said:

A regular over my parents house in Norfolk

One of Mildenhall's MC-130's.

[D4VE 3LL]

Very nice. Is there a radar or something in the nose?

[Eric Mc]

All Hercules that you will see today feature that radar bulge - although there are various permutations of it on some of the more escoteric versions. However, the very earliest Hercules variants initially didn't feature the radar.