Sunday 7 October 2007

Yeovilton - Friday 5th October 2007

A bright sunny autumn day at VL with 5 of the based Tutors busy in the circuit.





Tutor G-BYVK of 727 sqd


About midday JEDI 1 & 2 called up declaring an emergency - one aircraft had sufferred a bird strike. A few minutes later and two Harriers could be seen approaching 09.



ZG859 lands after a bird strike


The first to land was Harrier GR9A ZG859 "91A" wearing no squadron marks - I'm told a bird hit the canopy and then the intake lip whilst over Dartmoor. Upon landing it was met by a host of fire trucks.



Harrier ZD410 in 4 sqd 95 Years c/s

It's buddy ZD410 landed a few minutes later wearing special 4sqd tail colours celebrating 95 years of 4 sqd from 1912 - 2007.


I was also lucky to see a Commando helicopter force role demo - a large number of guests assembled out the CHF hangers and watched a gun fight with flash bangs and smoke. A pair of Sea King HC 4 helicopters appeared and fast roped troops to fight back. It looked to me as if one of these troops fell very badly from a great height. An ambulance arrived and it took maybe 30 mins before the casualty was moved - let's hope he is not badly hurt.

Meanwhile the two Sea King HC4 lifted a Land Rover and trailer - the pick up point was right near me on the Southern boundary and these two fly fast and low over my head.


Sea King HC4 ZD476 "WZ" comes in to lift a Land Rover



Harrier ZD410 departs Yeovilton


Mid afternoon saw Harreir ZD410 depart leaving it's bird hit partner ZG859 "91A" at VL


After the Commando demo display Squirrel ZJ278 "78" was brought out of the CHF hanger and departed to the South.


DHFS Squirrel ZJ278