the weather was variable (Iraqi - sunny and shi-ite) but I stuck it out on the wet days until the heavy rain was due - the forecasts were surprisingly accurate and we got back to the car just before the really heavy rain started and saw a good selection, only thing I thought I would see but didn't was F-15s. Some tried late on Tuesday afternoon but the weather kept them out(I was at Corris Craft centre by then avoiding the rain but by the time they were calling it was brightening up but not enough.
Monday was the busiest day with about 20 passes, mainly Hawks and some Texans - it was Labor Day so no USAF action. The surprise amongst the Hawks was a flight of 4 Qatari ones, I didn't realise until I looked closely at my photos! I managed to photograph 3 of the 4, I just wasn't prepared for how quickly the aircraft go through, I was using fast burst to maximise my chances but only achieved around 40 shots per pass if I followed right through so around 5 seconds per pass!
I'm now in awe of the people who come up with some of the photos I've seen on here
enough waffle, Monday....
first up was a sighter for practice, an RAF Hawk
ZK020 BAe Hawk RAF Cad East, Mach Loop 05-09-2022 7446. by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickrthen the flight of 4 Qatari Hawks arrived,
ZB131 BAe Hawk RAF Cad East, Mach Loop 05-09-2022 7477. by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr
ZB134 BAe Hawk Qatari Air Force Cad East, Mach Loop 05-09-2022 7507. by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr
ZB132 BAe Hawk Qatari Air Force Cad East, Mach Loop 05-09-2022 7489. by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickrand we had a few Texans through as well
ZM341 Beechcraft Texan RAF Cad East, Mach Loop 05-09-2022 7651. by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr
ZM327 Beechcraft Texan RAF Cad East, Mach Loop 05-09-2022 7695 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickrand more Hawks to finish off the day
ZK027 BAe Hawk RAF Cad East, Mach Loop 05-09-2022 7775 by Andrew Goldsmith, on FlickrTuesday started dull and humid, rain forecast later in the day. Thanks to the Lakenheath grrapevine for all the updates and excitement as ~F35s were apparently on their way. That humid air meant one thing.... SNAFU (no, not what you're thinking), Situation Nice, All Fluffed Up
And they were......
19-5476 F-35B USAF US Force Cad East, Mach Loop 06-09-2022 7829. by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr
19-5476 F-35B USAF US Force Cad East, Mach Loop 06-09-2022 7943 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr
19-5476 F-35B USAF US Force Cad East, Mach Loop 06-09-2022 7902 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr
19-5476 F-35B USAF US Force Cad East, Mach Loop 06-09-2022 7929. by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr
19-5476 F-35B USAF US Force Cad East, Mach Loop 06-09-2022 7938. by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickrthe F35s went round twice which doubled my chances - thanks guys! after that there was just an A400 which went through the Bwlch and on to Bala thus only a distant view and a pass by a pair of RAF Hawks, this ones about to stab the guys on Cad West...
ZK025 BAe Hawk RAF Cad East, Mach Loop 06-09-2022 7988. by Andrew Goldsmith, on FlickrWednesday produced a couple of flights of RASF Hawks again and a C.130 in the distance that decided to go along Lake Bala rather than the loop unfortunately, a civilian helicopter which crossed the Cad pass and another early finish due to an incoming storm
ZK036 BAe Hawk RAF Cad East, Mach Loop 07-09-2022 8158. by Andrew Goldsmith, on FlickrThursday was quiet, poor weather keeping aircraft away until early afternoon when the FC jungle drums alerted us to an Osprey on it's way to Wales and even better it came in and did two loops of the loop - Yay!
09-0042 CV-22 Cad East, Mach Loop 08-09-2022 8355. by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr
09-0042 CV-22 Cad East, Mach Loop 08-09-2022 8381 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickrand second time round it was far lower and out of sight of those like me who kept well back from the cliff edge as it went through the pass
09-0042 CV-22 Cad East, Mach Loop 08-09-2022 8507c by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickrand for the rest of the afternoon we waited in vain but nothing happened until we had packed up everything and were just moving off when two Hawks came through, cameras were safely in the bags and padded all round with jumpers and towels just in case of a fall so no chance of pics but we'd got a few of the Hawks by then!
We stayed at Stabal cottage on the farm next to the track up to Cad East and it was an excellent place to stay nicely kept and with everything provided even milk in the fridge when we arrived Rhian and Huw are excellent landlords and I'd recommend the location.
One last anecdote, we went up to Cad East (and Bwlch) for a reconnaissance on Sunday morning and had forgot to cancel the Sat Nav the evening before. As We went through the gate into a field full of sheep the sat nav voice said 'Please make a U turn now' how do I do that? I wondered - I dropped my trousers and the ewes turned and ran!!!
thanks for looking, C&C welcome
there are many more pics in my flickr album. https://www.flickr.com/photos/125470545 ... 349868226/
Andy
