Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum

Military Aviation => Modern Military Aircraft => Topic started by: Claymore on November 16, 2009, 03:43:23 PM

Title: Puma Formation
Post by: Claymore on November 16, 2009, 03:43:23 PM

Anybody see (or more to the point "hear") a formation of approx 7 x Pumas heading over Craigavon towards Lough Neagh?? :o

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Dave on November 16, 2009, 03:54:11 PM

I didn't hear or see anything in the weather here, will be interesting to see what was going on.
 
BTW, welcome to the forum!

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Chalkman on November 16, 2009, 04:02:02 PM

Didnt hear or see anything.

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Claymore on November 16, 2009, 04:07:29 PM

Was around 30mins ago.
I'm in Craigavon at the min out beside the M1, and they came from Lurgan direction across the M12/M1 and towards Lough Neagh.  I'd assume they were heading towards Aldergrove..
As I'm sure has been the same for others.. the one day that I leave the camera at home!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: casper on November 16, 2009, 04:11:41 PM

 :Welcome: Hi Claymore and welcome to the forum.

Didn't hear a formation but I'm pretty sure I heard a Puma earlier on.

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Angry Turnip on November 16, 2009, 07:17:15 PM

I saw them,they passed very low over Ballinderry then on towards Crumlin and Aldergrove.-
 
I suspect the Puma`s may be relocating to RAF Benson in England and this was a "Lap of Honour".
 
72 Sqn did a similar thing with a formation of Wessex Helicopters when they were disbanded.

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Blackbird on November 16, 2009, 08:07:14 PM

Quote from: Angry Turnip on November 16, 2009, 07:17:15 PM

I suspect the Puma`s may be relocating to RAF Benson in England and this was a "Lap of Honour".
 

 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :-X :-X :-X

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Nige on November 16, 2009, 10:50:45 PM

hello fellas, The formation was a rehearsal for a final flypast which will take place tomorrow, sorry guys,unsure of the exact time. The Pumas will be doing a flypast at Aldergrove and then departing for Benson.

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Claymore on November 16, 2009, 11:33:41 PM

Guys
Thanks for the confirmation that I haven't completely lost the plot.
Was beginning to wonder if I'd imagined the entire thing!!

Camera in the car for tomorrow just in case I happen to be around when they do the flypast.. but I get the feeling that the cloud cover might spoil any reasonable photo ops.

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Nige on November 17, 2009, 08:15:52 AM

Hi Guys,
Scheduled to pass over main runway at 9:15!!!!, sorry guys, just found out.
 

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Claymore on November 17, 2009, 08:17:31 AM

Great info Nige
Any idea what route they will take after Aldergrove??

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: casper on November 17, 2009, 08:57:34 AM

Such a pity they couldn't give this info to the genuine aviation community here. Would loved to have taken the day off work to see it.

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: RNASMU on November 17, 2009, 10:46:22 AM

Quote from: Claymore on November 17, 2009, 08:17:31 AM

Great info Nige
Any idea what route they will take after Aldergrove??

Flew over Lisburn  @ 9.20 am

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Nige on November 17, 2009, 02:51:22 PM

So low key it was unbelievable guys!. No announcements or nothing - Took off, formed up, one pass and goodbye !!. Would have been nice to have a proper farewell. I happened to be in doors at the time and because they were a little early I missed them passing the airfield. Nothing like the fantastic show put on when the 72sqn. Wessex departed a number of years back. Oh well !!

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Chalkman on November 17, 2009, 07:11:32 PM

Some info here...http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8364990.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8364990.stm)

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Angry Turnip on November 17, 2009, 07:21:09 PM

I believe there was nine Pumas this morning,pity they didnt fly around the local area a bit more-I didnt get to see them today :'( -anyone get a photo?

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Paultojo on November 17, 2009, 09:39:47 PM

Photo of todays Puma formation
 
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/Paultojo/IMG_2504.jpg)
 
Paul

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Murphology on November 18, 2009, 07:34:00 AM

A few more photos...
 
http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17983 (http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17983)
 
With thanks to Arthur Tee

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: casper on November 20, 2009, 10:44:39 AM

MOD story here

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/RafPumasUnitedAtBenson.htm

Title: Re: Puma Formation
Post by: Angry Turnip on November 21, 2009, 07:30:17 PM

All very low key and a bit sneaky actually!
 
Info should have been made available to interested groups like ourselves!
 
I have never heard of a flypast so early in the morning-very disappointing :-X