It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
a diamond-nine formation of Tornado F3s, led by Wg Cdr Peter Cracroft, OC of 111(F) Squadron.
Originally posted by spectre76
reply to post by Kukulcangod
The so-called "spheres" have been proven to be the "Red Arrows" behind what is otherwise nothing but sensational journalism. A still shot of ducks in flight would make them appear to be "hovering" as well I suppose.
Case solved.
[edit on 1-4-2009 by spectre76]
The Queen's birthday and RAF 90th anniversary flypast went ahead in fine weather, the biggest flypast since the Jubilee in 2002. Element 1 was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, with the Lancaster leading two Spitfires and two Hurricanes. The pilot of the Lancaster was Flight Lieutenant Mike Leckey, and one of the Spitfires was being flown by Group Captain Stuart Atha, Station Commander of RAF Coningsby and the Typhoon Force Commander. Element 2 consisted of a Hercules from RAF Lyneham, accompanied by two King Airs from 45(R) Squadron, based at the RAF College at Cranwell, the first time these aircraft have participated in the Queen’s birthday flypast. Element 3 was nine Typhoons, representing each of the four squadrons based at RAF Coningsby. The flypast leader was Wing Commander Johnny Stringer, Officer Commanding 29 (R) Squadron. Element 4 was led by a VC-10 from 101 Squadron flanked by two Tornado F3 fighter aircraft representing 43(F) and 111(F) Squadrons based at RAF Leuchars, closely followed by a Sentry AEW1 simulating in-flight refuelling. The Sentry was flown by Wg Cdr Stu Reid, better known as 'Bomber Leader' with the BBMF, training pilots to fly the Lancaster and the Dakota; this is his ninth season with the BBMF. Element 5 was a diamond-nine formation of Tornado F3s, led by Wg Cdr Peter Cracroft, OC of 111(F) Squadron. Element 6 (main pic): One of the RAF’s five C-17 Globemaster llls was flanked by two further Leuchars-based Tornado F3s. A sixth C-17 is expected to join the fleet imminently. Element 7 was a Nimrod MR2 from from 201 Squadron, RAF Kinloss, escorted by two more Tornado F3s from RAF Leuchars. Element 8: A Lockheed Tristar from 216 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton, was flanked by two BAe 125s from 32 (TheRoyal) Squadron, based at nearby RAF Northolt, Middlesex. Both types have served extensively in the Middle East, the Tristar refuelling other aircraft and transporting troops, and the 125s providing high speed transport for senior military personnel. Element 9: The final element was a sixteen-strong formation of Tornado GR4s representing all four of the squadrons based at RAF Marham. Among the formation was Air Commodore Phil Osborn, the Station Commander at RAF Marham until the previous day, and his successor, Gp Capt Colin Basnett