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| The RAF - Pictures and News http://www.saairforce.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=10746 |
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| Author: | Tally-ho [ 01 Sep 2021, 13:44 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
Yes, we are grateful for it. However, the amount and accessibility of 'viewing areas' has decreased over the years. Sometimes due to farmers no longer wanting increasing footfall on their land, the RAF has also become less keen on this photography of things and stuff and the police (both military and civil) are increasingly a source of discouragement at fencelines. In many ways the invasion of everyone and his mate, using phone cameras, has spoilt the hobby for us old school photographers. Many phone snappy-snappers have no understanding of the ethics of the game and the manners that go with it. |
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| Author: | Tally-ho [ 03 Sep 2021, 12:37 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
What a splendid afternoon yesterday (Thursday 2 Sept) in the surrounds of RAF Waddington. No less than three passes by the latest version of the MQ-9 Reaper / Sky Guardian remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS), itself being chased by what I presume was a heliborne photoshoot opportunity. The MQ-9B will be known as the 'Protector RG Mk 1' in RAF service from 2024 - RG for Reconnaissance / Ground attack. I will post more pictures once I've done some sorting and editing. 
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| Author: | AT6C [ 03 Sep 2021, 17:35 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
Catch of the day! 
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| Author: | Tally-ho [ 09 Sep 2021, 09:22 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
As promised. The following is a summarized extract from respected sources: https://www.forces.net/news/raf-protector-what-aircraft-and-what-can-it-do https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/mod-signs-65m-contract-for-protector-aircraft/ The RAF is to have 16 of the aircraft, which uses a design built on the existing General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper drone system. The Protector RG (Reconnaissance Ground attack) Mk1, the British and RAF specific variant of the MQ-9B drone system, is designed to reach heights of 40,000 feet with a payload of up to 4,800lbs (2,177kg). It is due to enter service by mid-2024 and will be capable of being flown anywhere in the world while being operated by personnel located at its Lincolnshire home base. The UK's first Protector RG Mk1 aircraft completed its inaugural flight in September 2020, taking to the skies in the US for its first round of test flights. The new aircraft are advanced Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS). It should [will] enhance armed Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities. It will also be the first RPAS to be designed, built and certified, against stringent NATO and UK safety certification standards equivalent to manned aircraft, allowing it to operate in civilian airspace, according to the RAF. The Protector RG Mk 1 will be fitted with the battle proven Brimstone missile and laser-guided Paveway bomb systems and will use onboard sensors to avoid other aircraft. There are seven weapons stations on the drone, meaning a total of 21 Brimstone missiles could be carried. This means a significant uplift over the previously used Reaper, which could only carry four Hellfire missiles or two 500-pound laser-guided bombs. Protector can fly consistently for up to 40 hours and will be deployed across a full spectrum of operations. The fleet will also have advanced anti-icing and lightning protection, providing the RAF with the flexibility to operate in adverse weather conditions. The following pictures were taken by me when 'Droney boy' (local nickname) was being flown for a photoshoot over RAF Waddington. I tracked it on Flightradar24 as it flew out across the North Sea to the Dutch airbase at Leeuwarden in the morning and decided to chance my luck on its return to RAF Waddington. Heck, did I strike it lucky, watching three passes of the heliborne photoshoot, on the outskirts of Waddington. Result!  Camera-ship AS355 Squirrel and the Protector  Short finals into RAF Waddington  Note the RAF specific maritime Radar under the fuselage and the retractable undercarriage  Crossing the runway threshold |
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| Author: | Jolley Roger [ 09 Sep 2021, 10:23 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
Very cool. Is that an American registration, N190TC, or am I mistaken? |
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| Author: | Tally-ho [ 09 Sep 2021, 11:20 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
Thank you. American registration yes, until the system is taken into RAF service. It currently operates as the MQ-9B Sky Guardian, successor to the MQ-9A Reaper. |
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| Author: | Tally-ho [ 16 Sep 2021, 07:04 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
Battle of Britain Anniversary - RAF Typhoon fly's the flag over the iconic white cliffs of the English south coast. https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/ra ... niversary/  Credit RAF |
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| Author: | H1017412 [ 16 Sep 2021, 23:19 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
That's a fantastic paint job and photo! |
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| Author: | Tally-ho [ 17 Nov 2021, 18:25 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
RAF F-35B down in the Mediterranean : Pilot safe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59323895 https://theaviationist.com/2021/11/17/b ... 35b-crash/ |
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| Author: | Tally-ho [ 30 Nov 2021, 10:38 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
Further news on the RAF F-35 that crashed during take-off from HMS Queen Elizabeth, on 17 November 2021:- Herewith a video - reportedly leaked - easily obtainable on social media, showing the pilot eject from the F-35 as it leaves the ramp on HMS Queen Elizabeth. The aircraft seems to accelerate too slowly to sustain forward movement which fuels the rumours of a rain cover having been sucked in (ingested) into the engine. 'Lift is a gift, thrust is a must’ as the saying goes! https://youtu.be/Ojjp-FPZowQ There will be court martials, transfers and career changes on what seems gross negligence and ignorance of procedures by various personnel. Plonking £100m (One Hundred million Pound Sterling) of sophisticated hardware into the sea must have consequences. Unless there is foul play, sabotage ... not impossible. |
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| Author: | CheetahSupporter [ 04 Dec 2021, 01:57 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
Tally-ho wrote: Unless there is foul play, sabotage ... not impossible. In cases like this, I would go for Hanlon's razor.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor |
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| Author: | Tally-ho [ 04 Dec 2021, 09:02 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
Yes, point taken. Then again, you have the USS Bonhomme Richard incident - the enemy within your ranks. I am confident the truth will out, the aircraft has been located on the seabed and salvage will start soonest. |
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| Author: | Tally-ho [ 08 Dec 2021, 11:30 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
Update on RAF F-35 loss : 8 Dec:- Quote: THE wreck of a £100million jet which crashed on take-off from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier has been dredged up from the seabed. It came as a crewman onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth was arrested on suspicion of leaking sensational footage of the crash. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/16969853/ ... terranean/ Other sources are available all over the internet. Remember a pinch of salt and a sense of humour when reading media reporting of all and any kind. |
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| Author: | Dean [ 08 Dec 2021, 15:31 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
Thanks for the update. |
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| Author: | Tally-ho [ 27 Jul 2022, 20:21 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The RAF - Pictures and News |
As reported in a previous post, the RAF has retired its entire fleet of seven Boeing E-3D ‘AWACS’ aircraft. Two of the ex-RAF aircraft have been purchased by the Chilean Air Force, ZH103 and ZH106. The first departed its home base at RAF Waddington on Monday 25 July, routing via Lajes, a Nato Airbase on the Azores, and on to Chile. The second aircraft departed Tuesday 26 July, following the same routing. The Chilean Air Force sent a Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (tanker/transport version) number 999 (ex US Marine Corps) to pick up various items needed for maintenance of the ex-RAF aircraft. This Chilean Hercules arrived early evening on Tuesday 26 July at RAF Waddington. The two pictures show, the departure of the second ‘AWACS’, and the arrival of the Chilean Air Force Hercules. A lengthy day, spent airplane spotting from differing locations, having to second guess the tower and pilots as to which runway direction would be chosen. The all-day, light crosswind, meant that pilots were given the choice as to their preferred option. And then of course you the photographer must decide what kind of shot you prefer, and from which location …  RAF Boeing E-3D 'AWACS' ZH106 taxiing for departure mid-afternoon at 14:00 local  Chilean Air Force Lockheed KC-130R 999 on short finals early evening at 19:45 local |
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