Weekender 2020 ~ Here we go again

Mr Gazza · 29-02-2020, 01:42 PM

Great work Mike..

I'm really looking forward to that.

I'm booked in to share with Dacs, and I have also booked a room for the Thursday night, so we can have a little ride down see the Mach Loop on Friday Morning. For those who don't know, The Mach Loop is a set of three valleys in mid Wales, where the RAF and USAF practice their low level flying. There are various viewing sites in the surrounding hills where you can have fast jets pinging past your ear at speed!!

It's a bit of a gamble as it's almost impossible to predict what, if anything will be flying, and this is totally weather dependant too. Mike, Grumps and myself are hoping to do this, so there's room for more, it will involve a little gentle hill climbing though. State your interest and we will set off together from the Rossett Hall Hotel on Friday morning bright and early..

Luddite · 29-02-2020, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Gazza

For those who don't know, The Mach Loop is a set of three valleys in mid Wales, where the RAF and USAF practice their low level flying.

That's so weird, Mr Gazza. I'd never heard of the 'Mach Loop' until about six weeks ago when this video popped up as 'Recommended for you' on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INcWJYFvSkQ

I can imagine it must be awesome to see them in real life.

Mr Gazza · 29-02-2020, 02:57 PM

Thanks for posting up that video Luddite, I watched it all the way through again and I will watch it some more. That guy has posted quite a few videos from the Mach loop and I think he has also been to Star Wars Valley in America, there is also a Scottish Mach Loop.

It takes it's name from Machynlleth at the end of one of the valleys and not the Mach speed scale as you might imagine, but it rocks.
I want to get to the hill in the videos where the planes enter the loop, and have the feeling of my oesophagus being ripped out of my ribcage as they go past on a 90deg bank, trailing ribbons from their wings... It's been a long time! Very few jet types at air shows since that helmet put the Hunter in at Shoreham. I lived within 10 miles of RAF Coltishal when the Lightnings were there and the ground shook when they scrambled vertically on after-burners... I need another hit!

29-02-2020, 04:13 PM

..I wonder if the Vulcan ever did the Mach loop? No that would have been worth seeing

Mr Gazza · 29-02-2020, 04:26 PM

Well they must have practiced their low level flying somewhere, as they switched tactics to terrain following interdiction and toss bombing when the opposition missiles became able to hit them at high altitude... My knee caps tremble at the thought of them thundering down the loop!!

29-02-2020, 04:45 PM

YouTube is our friend, only a couple of clips though

Grumpy · 29-02-2020, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Gazza

Well they must have practiced their low level flying somewhere, as they switched tactics to terrain following interdiction and toss bombing when the opposition missiles became able to hit them at high altitude... My knee caps tremble at the thought of them thundering down the loop!!

Trip down memory lane Gazza!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AwNuOkdFKXY

BigOz · 01-03-2020, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Trip down memory lane Gazza!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AwNuOkdFKXY

I read the report on that Lightning crashing, it was in a bit of a state, including out of date ejector seat parts and fuel leaks.

http://www.caa.co.za/Accidents%20and...ports/8706.pdf

BigOz · 01-03-2020, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Gazza

Well they must have practiced their low level flying somewhere, as they switched tactics to terrain following interdiction and toss bombing when the opposition missiles became able to hit them at high altitude... My knee caps tremble at the thought of them thundering down the loop!!

I heard a story about the Vulcans returning from missions at Red Flag in the states with cactus stuck on the wingtips.

Mr Gazza · 01-03-2020, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOz

I heard a story about the Vulcans returning from missions at Red Flag in the states with cactus stuck on the wingtips.

Yep.. It's in the Book Vulcan 607 that Mike lent me. The story of the first Black Buck mission and more... Pilot with the cactus was Willis I think? Same chap who flew the first Vulcan all the way to The Falklands. Fantastic book.

Edit.. Dacs has just informed me that the pilot was Martin Withers, not Willis.
He also sent me a photo of his framed Vulcan portrait... Signed by Martin Withers... Class or what?

29-02-2020, 01:42 PM	#1
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,834	Great work Mike.. I'm really looking forward to that. I'm booked in to share with Dacs, and I have also booked a room for the Thursday night, so we can have a little ride down see the Mach Loop on Friday Morning. For those who don't know, The Mach Loop is a set of three valleys in mid Wales, where the RAF and USAF practice their low level flying. There are various viewing sites in the surrounding hills where you can have fast jets pinging past your ear at speed!! It's a bit of a gamble as it's almost impossible to predict what, if anything will be flying, and this is totally weather dependant too. Mike, Grumps and myself are hoping to do this, so there's room for more, it will involve a little gentle hill climbing though. State your interest and we will set off together from the Rossett Hall Hotel on Friday morning bright and early.. __________________

29-02-2020, 02:57 PM	#3
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,834	Thanks for posting up that video Luddite, I watched it all the way through again and I will watch it some more. That guy has posted quite a few videos from the Mach loop and I think he has also been to Star Wars Valley in America, there is also a Scottish Mach Loop. It takes it's name from Machynlleth at the end of one of the valleys and not the Mach speed scale as you might imagine, but it rocks. I want to get to the hill in the videos where the planes enter the loop, and have the feeling of my oesophagus being ripped out of my ribcage as they go past on a 90deg bank, trailing ribbons from their wings... It's been a long time! Very few jet types at air shows since that helmet put the Hunter in at Shoreham. I lived within 10 miles of RAF Coltishal when the Lightnings were there and the ground shook when they scrambled vertically on after-burners... I need another hit! __________________

29-02-2020, 04:26 PM	#5
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,834	Well they must have practiced their low level flying somewhere, as they switched tactics to terrain following interdiction and toss bombing when the opposition missiles became able to hit them at high altitude... My knee caps tremble at the thought of them thundering down the loop!! __________________

29-02-2020, 04:13 PM	#4
Moco1961 Guest Posts: n/a	..I wonder if the Vulcan ever did the Mach loop? No that would have been worth seeing

29-02-2020, 04:45 PM	#6
Moco1961 Guest Posts: n/a	YouTube is our friend, only a couple of clips though