25TH MAR: Shoulda Woulda Coulda

[Lloyd H]

Note to self, never listen to Neil on where to go
After a lengthy discussion in the Bwlch car park about where to go, between the Snakepit/West switchover or Bwlch top all day we duly opted for the latter. Wrong decision it would seem, mainly due to a single paraglider operating in the vicinity of the loop meaning Monster 1 & 2 ended up skirting the western edge routing Welshpool-Bala and then diving in to Cad. Much to our dismay.

It could've been a lot worse though, I've finally got some F-15E shots from the Bwlch that I'm happy with. It only took me 6 years to get that iconic head on strike eagle shot with ribbons

Sorry for the amount of shots... And yes, I have milked the two F-15E passes for all their worth!

1.
208 Squadron Hawk T1 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

2.
494th FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Raider21' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

3.
494th FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Raider' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

4.
494th FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Raider21' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

5.
494th FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Raider' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

6.
494th FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Raider21' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

7.
494th FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Raider21' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

8.
494th FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Raider21' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

9.
494th FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Raider21' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

10.
494th FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Raider21' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

11.
494th FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Raider21' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

12.
494th FS F-15E Strike Eagle 'Raider21' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

13.
Objects May Appear Closer Than They Are by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

14.
29(R) Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon T3 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

15.
29(R) Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon T3 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

16.
29(R) Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon T3 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr

17.
29(R) Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon T3 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr


Thanks for looking

[boff180]

12 is nothing short of

[Russ]

The Strike Eagle shots are certainly worthy of said "milking." Brilliant.

[CH79]

Wow, agreed 12 is stunning - full of detail! The head-on ribbon shots are also excellent!
Cheers,
Chris

[n0143773]

Before scrolling down to the replies, i'd already earmarked number 12 as the best of the bunch! Seems i'm not alone!

[CJS]

Gotta agree with 12

But I do like the last one too

Can I ask a(nother) stupid question?

....thanks...

The F15s appear to be carrying weapons, the Tiffies don't. I can't imagine a QRA bird would be allowed to go and play in the Mach Loop (and I don't even know if US F15s are ever used for QRA anyway?)

So are the Eagle's weapons dummies? If so, why?

Thanks
Chris

[Richard E]

Gotta agree with 12

But I do like the last one too

Can I ask a(nother) stupid question?

....thanks...

The F15s appear to be carrying weapons, the Tiffies don't. I can't imagine a QRA bird would be allowed to go and play in the Mach Loop (and I don't even know if US F15s are ever used for QRA anyway?)

So are the Eagle's weapons dummies? If so, why?

Thanks
Chris

Chris

Yes, the F-15E is carrying single drill versions of the AIM9L and AIM120 missile and an ACMI (Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation) pod which seems to be the normal training fit for Lakenheath's Strike Eagles.

The Typhoon is in 29(R) Squadron's markings (the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit) so may well be on a conversion flight that does not necessitate any weapons other than the single drill AIM132 ASRAAM that Typhoons always seem to carry.

Lloyd - a top draw set of pictures.

[Lloyd H]

Gotta agree with 12

But I do like the last one too

Can I ask a(nother) stupid question?

....thanks...

The F15s appear to be carrying weapons, the Tiffies don't. I can't imagine a QRA bird would be allowed to go and play in the Mach Loop (and I don't even know if US F15s are ever used for QRA anyway?)

So are the Eagle's weapons dummies? If so, why?

Thanks
Chris

Chris

Yes, the F-15E is carrying single drill versions of the AIM9L and AIM120 missile and an ACMI (Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation) pod which seems to be the normal training fit for Lakenheath's Strike Eagles.

The Typhoon is in 29(R) Squadron's markings (the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit) so may well be on a conversion flight that does not necessitate any weapons other than the single drill AIM132 ASRAAM that Typhoons always seem to carry.

Lloyd - a top draw set of pictures.

Seems to be a fairly standard loadout for the F-15Es as well.

Thank you guys

[Paultojo]

Class

[DanH]

A brilliant set all round but I have to agree with the rest that #12 is definitely the highlight. #3 is superb as well.

[smacken]

Carry on milking - awesome set

[Lloyd H]

Thanks!

[stevebrodie]

12 is amazing and 17 is a superb shot, 13 - not sure i could stand that close to the edge when panning without falling off

[The Doctor]

Amazing shots, but I wouldn't really expect anything else to be honest. Have to agree, #12 is a stunner.

Just out of curiosity, what sort of focal length would people suggest for bwlch?

[Lloyd H]

300mm on a crop body sensor is perfect, although you could probably get away with a 200mm.

Thanks both

[Wissam24]

Number 12 for sure!

[tonka02]

Number 12 and I voted on that shot on Airliners.net yesterday.

[Chucky]

#12 for me, great stuff