Hi all,
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I have uploaded some pictures to Flickr and these can be seen at;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720308087411
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Having spread the word that another three Apaches had arrived at the former RAF Abingdon (now Dalton Barracks) this morning, a friend of mine made his way to Abingdon and I offered to show him where best to see them.
ZM704, 711, 720, 725, 726 were present yesterday morning, and ZM723 arrived yesterday afternoon after it finished doing the rather wet Coronation flight. This mornings trio were tracked on ADSB from Middle Wallop and the hex codes tied-up to ZM703, ZM719 and ZM724.
So with the two of us now at the airfield and viewing from Honeybottom Lane, we were surprised to see all nine Apaches crewing up. On a Sunday of a Bank Holiday weekend, whatever next!?
Around 3:30pm, the eight Apaches below all lined up along Runway 36 and all serials were captured on camera. I’ve included the hex codes and callsigns that were taken off ADSB.
ZM704, Boeing Apache AH.2, Gunship 1, 43C932, Army Air Corps (UD005)
ZM711, Boeing Apache AH.2, Gunship 2, 43C939, Army Air Corps (UD012)
ZM720, Boeing Apache AH.2, Gunship 3, 43C942, Army Air Corps (UD021)
ZM725, Boeing Apache AH.2, Gunship 4, 43C947, Army Air Corps (UD026)
ZM719, Boeing Apache AH.2, Hunter 1, 43C941, Army Air Corps (UD020)
ZM724, Boeing Apache AH.2, Hunter 2, 43C946, Army Air Corps (UD025)
ZM726, Boeing Apache AH.2, Hunter 3, 43C948, Army Air Corps (UD027)
ZM723, Boeing Apache AH.2, Hunter 4, 43C945, Army Air Corps (UD024)
The eight then departed to the South and the lone ZM703 lifted and took up a hover position just to the East of the airfield. We suspected that this might be acting as a camera ship and indeed it was. The eight Apaches turned back towards Abingdon and flew down Runway 36 in a loose formation. Quite a nice sight and sound.
ZM703, Boeing Apache AH.2, Demon 1, 43C931, Army Air Corps (UD004)
After just one pass by the mass formation, ZM703 then joined the back of the eight and they all headed off to the West. They were later sighted over Bristol and Keevil. Four were back at the airfield around 8:30pm tonight…..
There was no sign of the two Wildcats (ZZ512 & ZZ405) but somebody said these had departed earlier in the day…….the reason all these helicopters are here is for Exercise ‘Wessex Storm’ which is running from 24th April – 12th May.
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Best regards,
Grant Robinson
https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfordaviationgroup
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums