Paddy's Day in the Loop

[Frank]

What better way to spend your national day than going to another country and photographing their military aircraft flying at low level...

Went to the Mach Loop on March 17th, St. Patricks Day, in the hopes of seeing copious amounts of flying action, while there was action it wasn't exactly copious! Had a single Hercules C.5 come past once followed by two passes from an F-15 Strike Eagle with a single pass by an RAF Hawk to end the day.

By all accounts the F-15 was lower than normal, this was only my second time in the Loop and everyone I've ever spoken to about the F-15's remarks that they always come in high, however this guy came in at the same level as me so he can't have been too high. The Hawk pilot also took the time to wave. Thanks for that!

Anyway, on with the pictures, more can be found here


Regards,

Frank.

[SteveRendle]

All excellent Frank but 4 & 11 stand out for me

I must try the Mach Loop myself, But worry about weather and lack of activity

To be honest it's probably easier for you to get there than for me from Cornwall

Regards

Steve

[corkspotter]

Evening Frank,

Amazing shots, mad jealous!!!!

Regards,

Paul

[Stanly]

Great shots Frank - the missing guys were probably doing Paddy's Day fly-pasts at community events.......

[Frank]

Hi Guys,

Thanks to one all for the feedback, you're ever so kind!

Myself & Joe McDermott along with my brother Mark headed off to Wales on Tuesday evening. We flew from Dublin to Manchester where we eventually* picked up our hire car and drove for just over 2 hours south to Wales, checked into the hotel, had a few bevvies and made for bed.

(*The car hire company booked my car at one of the various Manchester airports in the USA!)

Myself and Joe got up early, had a few cups of tea each and made for the Bwlch which was only a few miles down the road from the hotel. When we got there there was fog and drizzle everywhere. Eventually this burned off and myself and Joe started climbing. The rest as they say, is history.

Took the piccies, climbed down, collected my brother and made the 2 hour return trip to Manchester.

Steve, I wouldn't say it's easier for me to get there, I had to drive for nearly 2 hours across Ireland (I live near the west coast), fly, then drive for over 2 hours to get to the Loop. We stayed in a hotel called the Llew Coch (Welsh for Red Lion) in a town called Dinas Mawddwy.

I would recommend anyone to visit the Loop at least once, I'm not exactly the healthiest specimen of a human being but I made it up, without Joe having to carry me too. From Ireland it is relatively easy to get to, you can get a ferry to Holyhead or fly to Manchester, the hotel is nice and cheap too, if you skip the breakfast they will put together a packed lunch instead that you can take up the mountain.

And in case any of you were wondering what my brother was up to, he was taking some landscape shots and you can find one of his Wales pictures here. He's the one with the real photo skills.


Regards,

Frank.

[CK]

excellent shots.

[SteveRendle]

Hi Frank

I have just put it into RAC route planner out of curiosity. And from my village in Cornwall to Dinas Mawddwy is 466 km and journey time of 6hrs 25min. (247 km in a direct line)

But your right it has to be done and from Cornwall I think it will call for a week's holiday in the Spring

Steve

[Frank]

6.5 hours.... that's a long drive. I suppose at least I was able to get a break from driving at the airport.

I've only been there twice but I think it's a great spot, I'm going to try and get back there for a week in April.