!The Eagles have gone, first batch of 6 departed as Reaper 1-6, the last 6 as Grim 1-6. After take-off clearance from tower and shortly before pushing it, I heard the comment from Grim01 "The Grims are blasting, dankjewel, it's been a pleasure and see you next time". Seems they enjoyed themselves and makes you wonder who's ass was kicked most....
GN8970, the Seaking has gone aswell to enjoy the weekend zu Hause after who knows how many testflights or calibration flights (think all has been calibrated...multiple times...).
The Tonka story:
ZD842/105 and ZA541/034 flew the morning mission as Aston01/02.
ZA456/023 and ZA367/002-KC-N flew the morning mission as Mitre 01/02.
ZD895/115 departed as RFR7161 and as expected did not return.
ZD842/105 departed as RFR7171 single ship take-off.
ZA541/034-ZA456/023-ZA367/002-KC-N departed as group RFR7172flight, individual callsigns however resp. RFR7174/7172/7173. Did not expect to see them again in view of their callsign but to my pleasant surprise late afternoon they returned all 4 to Leeuwarden under same RFR callsigns.
The best Tornado action today however was ZD747/095. This (new) 9 sqn Tonka arrived around 1600 local, and upon arrival took a straight downwind arrival as offered by tower. During the turn to finals however the jockey was either distracted and missed the rwy lighting or did not notice the difference between 240 and 270 on his compass, as he turned straight to finals on.....rwy27!! Tower was quick to point this out to them. Okay, one more try and after another circuit he hit the right tarmac at 24!! Don't be surprised to see this Tornie next week marked by the local boys as "runway misser" or someting like that!
Anyway, when it did eventually come towards 24, it came in with full sunshine on it and that needless to say thrilled your reporter on the spot. Navy500 came by for a fuelstop, this was Merlin HM1 ZH840/NL-38. After departure it set course south to EHVK, so it might be present at the Open Day on saturday.
Some action aswell by the local Vipers ofcourse, two teams of 4 Vipers on morning (Voodoos and Killers) and afternoon (Blades and Archers) missions. We are in need for JSF as the morningmission had 1 ground abort, the afternoon mission had 2 ground aborts. With Gripen NG it might have been 5 aborts despite of the 30 years difference in age....
In the end the total of 8 F16's could start "sniffing flankers" on bandbox but I don't know what the reason was for the aborts.
And L-02 came by as Diamond31. A short stop before proceeding.
As they say,
That's All Folks,
Greetz,
Jos