Any closet plane-spotters?

[Joey Shabadoo]

Nice surprise today, driving home I saw a Spitfire swoop down in a long banking turn before pulling a zoom climb, looping the loop and thundering down and away. I've only ever seen Spitfires doing flypasts, usually escorting a Lancaster but I was struck by the effortless grace and the real impression of speed. The pilot was clearly flying for the joy of flying. Only a few seconds but such a beautiful, beautiful machine.

 

[Brandane]

Interestingly, the organised flight tracks over the North Atlantic, which are nominally Great Circle (i.e. shortest distance) can vary quite a bit from day to day, depending on the winds.

For example one day a flight from Heathrow to New York might depart heading due west over the Bristol Channel and South Wales, and the next day head up north towards Manchester and Liverpool before turning westwards to start the Atlantic crossing.

Sometimes a good bit further north than that before crossing the UK mainland coastline. We regularly get Heathrow to east coast USA flights passing over Ayrshire.

Unfortunately, that was the case in December 1988 when Pan Am 103 was heading from Heathrow to New York. Had it been taking the "normal" route it would have gone down into the sea, rather than hitting Lockerbie. Crucial evidence would probably have been lost, but lives on the ground would have been saved. The fact that the departure had been delayed also meant it was not out over the Atlantic when the bomb detonated, as was the bomber's intention.

 

[Brandane]

Nice surprise today, driving home I saw a Spitfire swoop down in a long banking turn before pulling a zoom climb, looping the loop and thundering down and away. I've only ever seen Spitfires doing flypasts, usually escorting a Lancaster but I was struck by the effortless grace and the real impression of speed. The pilot was clearly flying for the joy of flying. Only a few seconds but such a beautiful, beautiful machine.

Where was that? There is a Spitfire due to do a display here in Largs on Sunday afternoon as part of the annual Viking festival. Maybe he was out for a warm up!

 

[Drago]

Nice surprise today, driving home I saw a Spitfire swoop down in a long banking turn before pulling a zoom climb, looping the loop and thundering down and away. I've only ever seen Spitfires doing flypasts, usually escorting a Lancaster but I was struck by the effortless grace and the real impression of speed. The pilot was clearly flying for the joy of flying. Only a few seconds but such a beautiful, beautiful machine.

Lately we've had those 2 sester spits flhing past here, the sort you can pay for a ride in. I'm not aware of anyone hereabouts offering the rides and don't know whay they're doing here, but here they are anyway.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Where was that? There is a Spitfire due to do a display here in Largs on Sunday afternoon as part of the annual Viking festival. Maybe he was out for a warm up!

By Cumbernauld aerodrome.

 

[stephec]

Where was that? There is a Spitfire due to do a display here in Largs on Sunday afternoon as part of the annual Viking festival. Maybe he was out for a warm up!

The Vikings had Spitfires?

I don't remember Kirk Douglas flying one. 😂

 

[Bromptonaut]

Lately we've had those 2 sester spits flhing past here, the sort you can pay for a ride in. I'm not aware of anyone hereabouts offering the rides and don't know whay they're doing here, but here they are anyway.

The 'Grace Spitfire' offers flights from Sywell:

https://www.warbirdflights.co.uk/?

 

[Grant Fondo]

Sounds a bit sad, but I love following real-time flights on Flight Sim 2020... something relaxing about taxiing with, and then following a random AA flight from JFK to Dulles

 

[Badger_Boom]

Nice surprise today, driving home I saw a Spitfire swoop down in a long banking turn before pulling a zoom climb, looping the loop and thundering down and away. I've only ever seen Spitfires doing flypasts, usually escorting a Lancaster but I was struck by the effortless grace and the real impression of speed. The pilot was clearly flying for the joy of flying. Only a few seconds but such a beautiful, beautiful machine.

We saw one over York on Sunday afternoon. It didn't appear to be displaying, although the pilot gently waggled his wings as he passed overhead.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

We saw one over York on Sunday afternoon. It didn't appear to be displaying, although the pilot gently waggled his wings as he passed overhead.

Probably just adjusting his massive balls

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Another Osprey over the Hill yesterday heading Hereford way

 

[Drago]

Saw this biplane today while relaxing in the garden.

 

[Beebo]

Saw this biplane today while relaxing in the garden.

View attachment 608215

How do you know the sexuality of the plane?

 

[oldwheels]

At just after lunch time today a convoy of I think 6 small helicopters passed overhead going in a NW direction. Five of them were identical greyish but the last one was red I think. Heading in the direction of Barra. Single small helicopters are not uncommon but a convoy of them is most unusual.

 

[Bobby Mhor]

At just after lunch time today a convoy of I think 6 small helicopters passed overhead going in a NW direction. Five of them were identical greyish but the last one was red I think. Heading in the direction of Barra. Single small helicopters are not uncommon but a convoy of them is most unusual.

They were Robinson R66..
Passed me overhead near Carronbridge yesterday and were heading to Inverness (?) FR24 said one flew there...so I assume.
Returned to the Glasgow area overnight . Stornaway was the destination today.
Originally from Northholt via Belfast then Cumbernauld (fuel stop?) then Inverness, Glasgow and Stornaway.

Edited to add, one at least has gone to Skye, Broadford area, they left Glasgow (area) then down to Prestwick (fuel stop?)before heading N.

I think (or FR24 told me)
@Brandane G-ILDA was one of your Spitfire..
been based at Cumbernauld for a few days before the Viking jolly, trips available from 2 grand I think...
comes up yearly...