Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

[ffutures]

Yup - it's the Jubilee Flypast - didn't get the Red Arrows, but these are some of the shots I got of the slower aircraft from my back window. Picture quality isn't too bad considering it was peeing down with rain.

The really big flypast (I think 48 aircraft) was over Windsor last week, what London got (according to the TV) was a sort of stripped down version - two flights of propeller aircraft then the Red Arrows.

The first wave was a DC3 Dakota (I think) and a couple of other aircraft, which I couldn't identify (but major_clanger tells me are Beech King Air B200s):








The second wave was a Lancaster Bomber, four spitfires, and a hurricane:










Unfortunately the third wave, the Red Arrows formation aerobatic jets, didn't come this way - they usually continue to the south across London, while the propeller aircraft fly over this way to get them out of the way of the faster planes.

Comments

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

The aircraft alongside the DC-3 were Beech King Air B200s, used by the RAF as advanced trainers for pilots destined for multi-engine transports, and operated by 45(R) Squadron at RAF Cranwell.

As I understand it the reason for the rather small flyby is that we're due a much bigger one in 11 days' time for the Trooping of the Colour, and in the current climate doing two major flypasts in a fortnight is a little beyond us.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Another one? OK, thanks for the heads-up.

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the lanc and the spits looked like they were pretty awesome. Can't believe there are so few lancasters still in flying shape.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Not that surprising - it's a 70 year old aircraft.