Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: tunnie on 07 July 2016, 10:39:17

Title: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: tunnie on 07 July 2016, 10:39:17
Over the past 3 weeks or so, I've seen a Douglas DC-3 fly over head.

It's has it's D-Day paint job, with black and white stripes. I always hear it first and never have time to grab the decent binoculars. It's still a great sound and great to watch, but does anyone know anything about it?

Like the Vulcan and other vintage aircraft, is it's flight path released in advance? I'd like to be ready with the binoculars next time it flys over Camberley  :y
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 July 2016, 10:41:40
The Dakota and the rest of the BBMF flight advertise their flight schedules on line, flight paths I have no idea about sadly.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/

Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: zirk on 07 July 2016, 10:45:07
It will file its flight plan like any other Private or Commercial Aircraft normally a few hours before its scheduled to fly.
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: tunnie on 07 July 2016, 10:45:19
Thanks  :y :y

Looks like the Dakota is off to Rempstone Steam and Country Show on Saturday, perhaps will fly over head. Sods law I'm not at home this weekend, grrr.
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 July 2016, 10:51:56
Given its based at Coningsby (Lincolnshire) and Rempstone is near me, its not likely to go to close to yourself  :y
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 July 2016, 11:03:32
Seems a good site for info:

http://www.egxwinfogroup.co.uk/?p=1067

Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: Nick W on 07 July 2016, 11:05:05
Over the past 3 weeks or so, I've seen a Douglas DC-3 fly over head.

It's has it's D-Day paint job, with black and white stripes. I always hear it first and never have time to grab the decent binoculars. It's still a great sound and great to watch, but does anyone know anything about it?

Like the Vulcan and other vintage aircraft, is it's flight path released in advance? I'd like to be ready with the binoculars next time it flys over Camberley  :y

It's probably the one based at Dunsfold.
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 July 2016, 11:35:35
Most of the BBMF aircraft seem to carry FLARM now, and some use ADS-B, so you can keep an eye out for them on Flightradar24 and glidernet.org.
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 July 2016, 11:49:13
Also worth mentioning that all flypasts and displays, and often complete routes, certainly in the case of the red arrows, are publicised as NOTAMs (Notice To AirMen).

These are cryptic in text form unless you're used to having to comprehend them, but there's a site here that plots them on a map:

http://notaminfo.com/ukmap

Sometimes you'll see a complete route, but otherwise, you'll see points marked as "FLYPAST BBMF ACFT" with a reasonable indication of the time. If you find them all, you can get an idea of the likely route, bearing in mind that they often follow line features such as roads and railway lines, and that they will be keeping such features on their left while following them.

An idea of roughly where they'll be when combined with spotting them on flightradar24 should allow you to be prepared for their arrival.
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: alfie on 07 July 2016, 14:36:44
The B17 Flying Fortress flew over my house last sunday,what a nice surprise that was,must have been going back to base after displaying at Swansea.
                          Alfie
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: tunnie on 07 July 2016, 15:57:26
Thanks All  :y :y

Thinking about the directions it was heading, it would well have come from Dunsfold  :)
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: biggriffin on 07 July 2016, 17:11:05
Er, the noise is usually a giveaway, not exactly stealthy them war-birds :o
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 July 2016, 17:21:44
Er, the noise is usually a giveaway, not exactly stealthy them war-birds :o

Except for them Stealth ones.  :P  ;D
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 July 2016, 17:26:40
Ahh, yes, that'll be the model powered by the famous "quiet" model 14 cylinder air cooled radial engine. ;)

The one that only renders people permanently deaf at 100 yards. :D
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: Nick W on 07 July 2016, 17:40:50
Ahh, yes, that'll be the model powered by the famous "quiet" model 14 cylinder air cooled radial engine. ;)

The one that only renders people permanently deaf at 100 yards. :D


Don't B17s(and DC3s and others) use P&W 1820s? Which are 9 cylinder engines. Still bloody loud though.
Title: Re: One for the Plane Experts
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 July 2016, 21:16:51
I think they were built with both engines, but it matters little. About as subtle as a hell's angel's funeral. ;D