French Alpha Jet visit

Subject: French Alpha Jet visit 2009-07-29, 06:22

The much postponed visit of the French Alpha Jets is now on the cards for arrival on 5th August and depart on the 12th, support aircraft will arrive with ground and additional crew in advance on the 5th and will arrive just as the jets depart on the 12th to recover the guys back to France.

Will fly mixed sorties with 208 and possibility of low fly although the Eisteddfod is in Bala during that time so may avoid that particular town.

As usual don't shoot the messenger, as this is the third amended date so far this year, down to shortage of hangar space at Valley mainly

Location : Shawbury Airfield Boundary - Half a mile

'French Air Force 6441/2' inbound through Lichfield Corridor as I type, sounds like a flight of two.

Subject: Re: French Alpha Jet visit 2009-07-29, 09:02

Just had FAF 6442 on 269.475 (about 5 minutes ago)

Subject: Re: French Alpha Jet visit 2009-07-29, 09:03

they are most likely on the 'every other week' trip to Baldonnel via Valley's Tacan, regular occurrence for the last 12 months

Location : East Yorkshire Spotter Watch Member : No

I was lucky to see one do a roller heading South at 16:40

Location : Anglesey Spotter Watch Member : no

Saw a pair flying overhead this morning to land. Plus their mini-c130 came in too

Subject: Re: French Alpha Jet visit 2009-08-05, 17:46

There are four on the ground and the C235 came in dropping off support crew and equipment and departed to return next week to pick up

Subject: Re: French Alpha Jet visit 2009-08-07, 02:00

As usual don't shoot the messenger, as this is the third amended date so far this year, down to shortage of hangar space at Valley mainly[/quote]

are the alpha jets being hangared or are they being left out over the weekend(unlikely but one can hope)

Location : Shawbury Airfield Boundary - Half a mile

Any one enlighten me of the Alpha Jet identities?

Seen a picture of E42/314-TA, at low level so assume thats one of them.

Shawbury had an influx of Valley Hawks carrying out radar approaches and overshoots on Wednesday (5th), assume this was part of the familiarisation flights for the the french crews?.

Subject: Re: French Alpha Jet visit 2009-08-07, 10:47

dubmasteruk wrote:: Any one enlighten me of the Alpha Jet identities?

The following where at valley today not sure if there are any more but these are the only one's that flew.

E42/314.TA
E28/314.AB
E45/314.TF
E103/314.UA

Location : Wales,UK Spotter Watch Member : No

Only 4 Alpha Jets are at Valley and my god they change crews and get back out quick and enjoying the Welsh weather and the valleys at the same time Cheers

Location : East Yorkshire Spotter Watch Member : No

Another forum reports E11 instead of E103 last Friday - was there a swap (or a mis-read) ?

Subject: Re: French Alpha Jet visit 2009-08-15, 07:13

Hi All,

E11 - 314UB Seen on 11th August, yes maybe there had been a swap,

Also seen

E28 314AB
E42 314TA
E45 314TF

Flyign in pairs using Gadget and Mafia Callsigns

Cheers

Steve