Marham - F-35 Arrival 05/06/2018

[chevvron]

First four F35Bs due to arrive to join 617 Sqdn late afternoon 5 Jun direct from USA having been 'towed' across the Atlantic by a Voyager.

[brizewatcher]

Unless the plan has changed, they should be ZM145, ZM146, ZM147 & ZM148.

[rh226]

For anybody going up there to see them arrive, please be aware of the following:-

RAF Marham has been working with local landowners to secure parking areas for those wishing to view the arrival of the first F-35 Lightning aircraft. Subsequently, with the kind permission of the landowners, parking areas have been confirmed at the following locations: Paddocks at Eastgate Farm (Marham Road, off Chalk Lane), Hall Farm (at Crash Gate 6 on Chalk Lane just 20m from the A1122 junction) and also on the grass verges along White Road (off A1122), Barton Bendish. The landowners will be collecting donations at their respective sites for the charities of their choice.

Please note that this arrangement will only be for the day of the arrival of the aircraft. Anyone attending is asked to respect the property of the local landowners and to only use the designated viewing areas.

Keep following the RAF Marham Facebook page and Twitter @rafmarhammedia for any further information.

Credit SMAS Mailing List
 

[rh226]

Transatlantic Santa Maria and Shanwick NOTAMs have been published - see aviationforall.proboards.com/thread/10777/eastbound-shanwick-altrv-2018-raf.

Please note the evening arrival time based on the NOTAM.

[Jeff]

Not sure if this is old news


4 x VF35 RRR9511 eta 1930 filed southern route in over LND BZN MAM

[keefyboy]

Please remember that 617 Sqn was reformed back in April and all they are doing is returning to their home base. There will be lots of ZM's to bag this summer.

twitter.com/oc617sqn?lang=en

[keefyboy]

Local weather for Chippenham tomorrow predicts blue skies in the afternoon so I might catch them going up TR1 - thanks Jeff

[keefyboy]

Bob

I'm totally ignorant on this but do the jets normally follow the tankers to their home base? I only ever see the tankers on ADS-B and I was wondering if the jets, after their last top up, might just go full steam ahead to Marham and leave the tanker trailing literally?

[rh226]

Keith,

The jets usually leave the tankers around Lands End and head for home - so they could well be going over Bristol rather than Chippenham. They might even be high enough to trail, rather than at the Daventry RC height of FL230-240.

The tanker should descend and track to Yeovilton and then up TR1 passing over you at the usual "inbound to Brize" level.

Good luck for tomorrow. No, I am not going up there. They will be around for quite some time.

Cheers,

Bob

[graham]

Fingers crossed for clear skies over Devizes then. Should be back home by 1pm

[rh226]

Sorry, chaps. Post on FC says they have cancelled for today due to adverse weather (sea state?).

[keefyboy]

Thanks for the update Bob

Cheers
Keith

[rh226]

NOTAM posted for trying again tomorrow - same timings.

[rh226]

Wednesday 6th June 2018

Arrived safely doing an echelon run & break followed by VSTOL landing.  First one landing at 20.09BST.

Serials are ZM145, ZM146, ZM147 and ZM148.

Apparently, someone said they saw them from Mildenhall - blowed if I could.  Never mind, they will be around for a while - and probably in the RAF100 flypast.

[brizewatcher]

Didn't see a bloody thing in Chippenham.

[rh226]

Oh dear!!

When they were reported over Warminster, Ollie, you should have shot outside instead of typing your question and posting it.

[rh226]

Anyway,whatever you like to call them....

F-35
Lightning
Fugly……….I'll leave that to you to work out

Dave...……Darned Awful and Very Expensive

Panther....Unofficial nickname at Nellis AFB

.....they are now here to stay.

[keefyboy]

Well I saw the tankers one behind the other but missed the jets too. Heyho - we have years to see these jets and, as you say Bob, a good chance of seeing them over the Palace!

[graham]

The A400 went right over the house here but no sight or sound of the F35s