MILITARIA

[SteveH]

Incredible scenes show RAF Chinook on training exercise in Snowdonia
They were operating out of the RAF Valley base on Anglesey

It came as the military carried out the nine-day Exercise Kukri Dawn this month. Three Chinooks from 28 Squadron, based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, were operating out of RAF Valley for the duration of the exercise to train in the unique environment offered by the Snowdonia National Park.

cont plus photos  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/incredible-scenes-show-raf-chinook-26570543

[SteveH]

A SERVICE was held at Llandudno War Memorial to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans.

Lance Cpl Evans, of Llandudno, died in a helicopter accident in Kuwait on March 21 2003. The 24-year-old was one of the first soldiers to die in the Iraq war.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23416624.20th-anniversary-soldiers-death-marked-llandudno/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The wartime concrete barges that can still be seen in North Wales at low tide
They were built to preserve the steel supplies needed to defeat the Nazis

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/wartime-concrete-barges-can-still-26601323

[SteveH]

For those interested, they might be able to track it on Flightradar24  https://www.flightradar24.com/53.18,-3.33/9

We are advised by our good friend Jack Hawkins that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight plan to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Op Chastise (Dambusters Raid) on the 16th May.

Attached are the details and a map of the proposed flight plan with the expected time over Fiskerton at 20.00 hrs.

It is hoped that some of our membership will be able to support this fantastic effort should you live within reasonable distance of the attached schedule of airfields.

There is a reference to the Lancaster flying over the RAF Museum Hendon and if that remains part of the schedule I will endeavour to find out the time and advise members who may live around the London area.

As I said, I'm sure it will be a wonderful tribute to all those who served with Bomber Command and I hope everyone who can visit an airfield will have a really enjoyable evening.

Robert McEneaney Secretary 49 Squadron Association.

From: "CON-BBMF Ops (MULTIUSER)" <CON-BBMFOps@mod.gov.uk>
Date: 18 April 2023 at 12:40:07 BST

Subject: BBMF Lancaster Flypast - Bomber Command Airfield Fiskerton

The timings for the Lincolnshire fly overs are as follows;

Spitalgate, Lincolnshire - 18:58
Fulbeck, Lincolnshire - 19:02
Swinderby, Lincolnshire - 19:04
RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire - 19:07
Lincoln- IBCC, Lincolnshire - 19:08
Skellingthorpe, Lincolnshire - 19:12

Scampton, Lincolnshire - 19:15

Dunholme, Lincolnshire - 19:16
Wickenby, Lincolnshire - 19:18
Faldingworth, Lincolnshire - 19:19
Ingham, Lincolnshire - 19:21
Hemswell Cliff, Lincolnshire - 19:22
Blyton, Lincolnshire - 19:24
Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire - 19:30
Kirmington, Lincolnshire - 19:31
North Killingholme, Lincolnshire - 19:32
Grimsby, Lincolnshire - 19:37
Binbrook, Lincolnshire - 19:39
Ludford, Lincolnshire - 19:41
Kelstern, Lincolnshire - 19:42
Strubby, Lincolnshire - 19:47
Spilsby, Lincolnshire - 19:51
East Kirkby, Lincolnshire - 19:53
Bardney, Lincolnshire - 19:58

Fiskerton, Lincolnshire - 20:00

Metheringham, Lincolnshire - 20:03
Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire - 20:05
RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire - 20:07

The plans to commemorate the anniversary will be subject to weather and serviceability caveats due to the nature of operating historic aircraft, and the timings published may be subject to change.

Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, Officer Commanding the BBMF said:
The Dambusters raid was one of the most audacious raids in the history of the Royal Air Force, and we at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight are proud to commemorate the bravery, dedication and sacrifice of all those involved.?


[SteveH]

Update on above, For those interested, they might be able to track it on Flightradar24  https://www.flightradar24.com/53.18,-3.33/9 this evening.

[SteveH]

Another update on above....

Lancaster flypast pays 80th anniversary tribute to Dambusters
The UKs last airworthy Lancaster bomber toured former RAF bases.

The only remaining airworthy Lancaster bomber in the UK took to the skies on Tuesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters raid.
The plane, one of only two Lancasters still in operation, flew over former air bases in Lincolnshire on the anniversary of the mission to attack German dams on 1943.

Part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), plane PA474 took off from its base at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire for a flypast over the RAF Museum at Hendon, London.

cont https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/lancaster-raf-lincolnshire-raf-museum-hendon-b2340199.html


Flypast over Lincolnshire RAF bases on Dambusters Raid anniversary
Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid

Operation Chastise was an attack on the German dams, taking place during the night of May 16-17, 1943, where 617 Squadron of the Royal Air Force carried out the raid which involved 133 aircrew and 19 Lancaster Bomber aircraft.

cont https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2023/04/times-for-lancaster-flypast-over-lincolnshire-raf-bases-on-dambusters-raid-anniversary/

[SteveH]

The Royal Navy's biggest warship was spotted off Anglesey - here's why
The aircraft carrier is preparing for a summer deployment in a show of strength against Putin

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/royal-navys-biggest-warship-spotted-26974423

[SteveH]

RAF Hercules retirement flypast: UK route and timetable

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has confirmed the final route for the Hercules ahead of its retirement flypast.
Visiting all four nations of the UK, the Hercules C-130J is a tactical transport aircraft that has been in service since 1966.

Described by the RAF as the "backbone of UK operational tactical mobility tasks", Hercules's defensive system makes it ideal for operating in regions where there is a threat to aircraft.

Now after the Hercules took its last operational flight on June 4 with the 47 Squadron, it's set to take a retirement flypast across the UK.

The flypast will be taking place on Wednesday, June 14 and will take over just over seven hours to complete.
Seeing it visit areas including Anglesey, Beverly, Colchester, Royal Wootton Basset, High Wycombe and Brize Norton.

10:00-Depart RAF Brize Norton
10:25-National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas
10:34-RAF Cosford
11:22- RAF Valley
11:48- FS Aldergrove
12:51-RAF Lossiemouth (with Typhoon escort)
14:08 -RAF Leeming
14:10 -RAF Topcliffe
14:23- Beverley
14:35 -RAF Waddington
14:38 -RAF College Cranwell
14:58 -Cambridge Airport
15:04 -RAF Mildenhall
15:15 -Colchester Garrison
16:22 -MOD Boscombe Down
16:25-Salisbury Plain (West Down Camp)
16:32- MOD Lyneham
16:36 -Royal Wootton Bassett
16:39-Defence Academy of the UK, Shrivenham
16:43 -Dalton Barracks, Abingdon
16:51- RAF Halton
16:55 - RAF High Wycombe
17:05 -RAF Brize Norton

Although the retirement flypast is taking place on June 14, the 47 Squadron and the Hercules will continue to deliver on operations supporting UK defence objectives until June 30 23.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23583080.raf-hercules-retirement-flypast-uk-route-timetable/

[DVT]

Wonder what the route is from Cosgrove to Valley, will it be down the Conwy Valley as it often flies that way ... if you stand on the top terrace at Bodnant you are virtually inline with the pilot - it's at 270ft!

I am there tomorrow so will have to keep an eye on the time!

[SteveH]

What a sad emotional day, seeing these lovely majestic Hercules C-130s on their final flypast to mark their retirement that's 56 years of Service with the RAF... Feel free to share!!

Visiting all four nations of the UK, the Hercules C-130J is a tactical transport aircraft that has been in service since 1966.

Described by the RAF as the "backbone of UK operational tactical mobility tasks", Hercules's defensive system makes it ideal for operating in regions where there is a threat to aircraft.

Now after the Hercules took its last operational flight on June 4 with the 47 Squadron, takes a retirement flypast across the UK.

No.47 Squadron will be stood down and its Standard laid up for a period at College Hall Officers? Mess, RAF College Cranwell, until reformed.

Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYXvo7moLZ0

[SteveH]

Flight in Lancaster Bomber. Bomb Aimers Seat 7 May 2023

A video from the lucky person selected to fly in the bomb aimers seat, a great experience..........

video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kFK_AZE9io

[SteveH]

Wellington bomber miracle marked at the North Wales site where plane was made
In the summer of 1943, Broughton factory workers made history by assembling a Vickers Wellington Bomber in less than 24 hours

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wellington-bomber-miracle-marked-north-27180362

[Helig]

This is a good article to read in conjunction with the last post about Broughton making the Wellington bomber in World War 2:

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/wartime-factorys-bomber-builders-reunited-1897148?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button

Someone I once worked with, now deceased, told me that when this factory was built a number of men died by drowning as the land on which it stood was waterlogged. It is close to the River Dee estuary and used to flood at times. I haven't been able to verify this. The person concerned was old enough to know however.

[SteveH]

Helig, A good find and very interesting, thanks for that.

[SteveH]

RAF parade in Llandudno on July 9th 2023.

video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soq2BhjQdlY