Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum

Military Aviation => Modern Military Aircraft => Topic started by: Jetex61 on June 13, 2013, 02:28:36 PM

Title: Strange aircraft
Post by: Jetex61 on June 13, 2013, 02:28:36 PM

Hi all
Took this picture yesterday as the aircraft was approaching City of Derry Airport. It stayed for a couple of hours and left in the direction of Belfast. I assume it's G8 connected, a US Government type, can anybody shed any light on it?
David

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/9024784595_2bc86cb10f_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jetex61/9024784595/)
What is this?? (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jetex61/9024784595/) by Jetex61 (http://www.flickr.com/people/jetex61/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Strange aircraft
Post by: smudge on June 14, 2013, 08:37:13 PM

Quote from: Jetex61 on June 13, 2013, 02:28:36 PM

Hi all
Took this picture yesterday as the aircraft was approaching City of Derry Airport. It stayed for a couple of hours and left in the direction of Belfast. I assume it's G8 connected, a US Government type, can anybody shed any light on it?

Cracking shot David!  Yes, it's a Pilatus PC-12, designated U-28 in USAF service.  In from and out to Mildenhall I think ( one of the guys will correct me if wrong ).

They wear that pseudo-civilian scheme but the truncated mil serial gives it away.

http://www.airframes.org/reg/n779pc (http://www.airframes.org/reg/n779pc)

G8 related indeed.

Title: Re: Strange aircraft
Post by: smudge on June 14, 2013, 08:41:26 PM

I hadn't noticed that dorsal antenna before; I don't think it's GPS rx ( they tend to be flush-mounted ) to perhaps it's SATCOM tx / rx.

Title: Re: Strange aircraft
Post by: Jetex61 on June 17, 2013, 08:05:29 AM

Thanks Smudge for the info, I would like to have seen who got off it! It is from 319th SOS, detachment at Stuttgart.
David