Reds in the Mach Loop!

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Niek84
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Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Niek84 »

Hi all,

This summer I made a fantastic trip to the UK with Remco (Kleintje Pils). First stop was the RIAT at Saturday. Sunday afternoon we left Fairford and headed for Wales to try our luck in the Mach Loop on Monday. And what luck we had...

It was my first time at the Bwlch, so I had no idea what exactly to expect. So, without expectations, I waited patiently for something to turn around the corner. Within two hours of our arrival a Hawk turned into the Loop.

1. BAe Hawk T1A XX189, RAF 19 (Reserve) squadron
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But then we got some really exciting news; a Red Arrow was heading our way! Indeed, after 10 minutes, a single Red turned at the Bwlch.

2. BAe Hawk T1 XX177, Red Arrows
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3.
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Still full of joy after this flyby, a guy with a scanner (thanks Ed!) told us a formation of Reds was about to enter the Loop!
Well, no words necessary I think:

4.
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5.
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6.
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7.
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Awesome!
But the day wasn't finished:

8. BAe Harrier GR9 ZG500, RAF 4 (Reserve) squadron with 20 (Reserve) squadron markings
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9. BAe Harrier GR9 ZD401, Based at RAF Cottesmore, 1 squadron with 20 (Reserve) squadron markings
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10.
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11. BAe Hawk T1W XX181, RAF 208 (Reserve) squadron
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12. BAe Hawk T1W XX167, RAF 208 (Reserve) squadron
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13. Well, you couldn't exactly overlook the guy with the green fluorescent jacket at the Bwlch :lol:
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And finally, one last Hawk:

14. BAe Hawk T1A XX324, RAF 19 (Reserve) squadron
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After this Hawk, it started raining quite a lot. After an hour in the rain, we decided to go back to the hotel. After all, our memory cards contained more than we had wished for!

Hope you like 'm! :wink:


Regards,
Niek
Last edited by Niek84 on 19 Aug 2010, 22:58, edited 3 times in total.
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sebah
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by sebah »

WOW! This are really good pictures! I love number 4. Good job! :scramble:
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Andras
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Andras »

Cool stuff Niek, nice catches!
Groet,

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Kleintje Pils
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Kleintje Pils »

Jowww Niek,

Great set of images (number 4 really rocks!) and yeah you're really spoiled by now :silly:
Remco Donselaar
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planespotters.nl
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by planespotters.nl »

What an awesome set of pictures you got there!
Number 4 is really great! :respect:
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm F 3.5-5.6
Canon EF 70-200 F4.0 L IS USM (New!)
Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II

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Niek84
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Niek84 »

Thanks everybody for the nice comments!

My favorite is number 4 too, what a moment that was! I was standing close to Ed (with the scanner) and when the formation got into sight there were some words on the scanner, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. It was clarified immediately by Ed by yelling: 'Smoke on!'. And right at that moment, the Reds put the smoke on... :worship:

Yeah, I'm very spoiled right now, but for once a year that's ok, don't you think? :wink: :lol:


Regards,
Niek
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Kleintje Pils »

Well, Niek told most of the story so far. We planned this day some 3 months before. After my first visit in 2009 I definately had to go back. We decided to go only one day, but we choosed a day with an increased change of activity being RIAT's departure day. 2 weeks before we would go the 'incident' with the GR4's crew happened and the traffic in the loop decreased to a minimum. We still decided to go on but on arrival at Sunday evening it was heavy rain with the tops of the hills in the clouds.

Next day we went early to the Bwlch car park where to find out someone already was on the hill. After the climb we heard from him (Ed) we might get the Red's coming through. Yeah right you've got too many beer mate! But it turned out to be true and it was fantastic! I only went up with 420mm on a 1D body so no zoom possibility during the Red's pass...

Enjoy!

1. Red10 came by for an inspection
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2. Ow yeah smoke on!
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3. Hey, why am I not in that backseat?
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4. Magnificent view :)
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5. Wow first RAF frontliner for me!
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6. Hey another one...
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7. Ow yes the normal Hawks were there too!
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Remco Donselaar
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Niek84
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Niek84 »

Well Remco, even without the ability to zoom out, you've got pictures that make me jealous! :-E:


Regards,
Niek
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Triple Nickel
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Triple Nickel »

2 weeks before we would go the 'incident' with the GR4's crew happened and the traffic in the loop decreased to a minimum
What kind of an incident was this?

Greetz, Ron
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Thijs »

The "i am with stupid incident"
Assume makes an ASS of U and ME.
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TAZZ
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by TAZZ »

Whow! Nice shots!
You were a lucky man!

:respect: :toppie:
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Triple Nickel »

The "i am with stupid incident"

o.k. I thought it was picked up very well withing the RAF....
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Kleintje Pils »

Hi Ron,

No unfortunately not. Although nothing was confirmed officially it seemed the RAF frontliners (Harrier, Typhoon, Tornado) were instructed to avoid places well known to photographers. Together with the grounding of the Hawks last week there were quite a lot of blank day's last 3-5 weeks. The Harriers that were seen in the loop were flown by the RN. Also a single Hercules entered the loop last week, being the only movement that day.
Remco Donselaar
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Mickey312
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Mickey312 »

:^o:

Not aimed at Remco, just thought it was fitting :oops: .

Great shots by the way, also in this thread :wink:
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Re: Reds in the Mach Loop!

Post by Kleintje Pils »

Apparantly the 'avoid' has ended, the Bwlch saw today a Tornado Special tail and a Saudi Typhoon. So get out there guys and show us some shots! :wink:
Remco Donselaar
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