By: TonyT - 30th March 2013 at 15:03
Yep the RAF have 3 or so, they were used in Iraq as well I believe, cheap platform with a long loiter capability.
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th March 2013 at 13:52
They’re probably on the look out for Sterling criminals too, Martin! 😮
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th March 2013 at 13:24
Abu Qatadar…………..
Planemike
By: viscount - 30th March 2013 at 00:24
Basically keeping an eye on suspected terrorist cell/drug cartels/organised crime for the intelligence services/specialist policing units. Not a great deal ever comes out about their specific taskings, however I bet in a few weeks there will be news of a series of dawn raids in the local press. Ever wonder how they knew that Abu Katarder (spelling very suspect) was using a mobile a phone that was not permitted under his parole terms?
By: hindenburg - 29th March 2013 at 14:49
That`s it bazv!!!…so…what is it doing?
By: bazv - 28th March 2013 at 22:35
Not one of these is it ?
By: viscount - 28th March 2013 at 22:34
There are several Diamond DA.42 aircraft used for ‘observation’ flights, supporting anti-terrorist and anti-drug law-enforcement forces in the UK. They have the ‘chin’ camera under the nose as described, a wide cabin section compared to the rest of the length of the aircraft, a T-tail; but the long wings with winglets are not mentioned in the description. While I would not describe the Twin Star as a noisy twin, the engine note is certainly different.
Mapping and environmental survey contracts around the UK are usually (but not exclusively) undertaken by Partenavia P.68 (Victors and Observers), Islanders, Navajo, Aztec or Cessna twins. These types certainly don’t match the description provided though.
One environmental survey aircraft your sighting wasn’t was a P.68 Observer – this one was flying circuits at Liverpool John Lennon today training. Ravenair at LJLA will shortly have 11 Victors & Observers, along with 4 Aztecs all equipped with vertical camera mount in the cabin and hatch in the cabin floor. From Chester APEM have an Islander, and 3 Victors/Observers, and they are not the only companies around the country involved in this work.
The only DA.42 Twin Star photo I can find that is my copyright, although not absolutely sharp, is this one at LJLA May 2010 – it is NOT one of the chin camera equipped ‘spy’ aircraft though.
“Bazv’s” link in the next post provides a much better shot of one of my candidate aircraft, complete with ‘chin’ camera housing.
By: Bmused55 - 28th March 2013 at 22:14
I’ve seen a Beech Kingair type plane doing the rounds, however, that has a short fuselage
By: Newforest - 28th March 2013 at 21:55
Several discrepancies in the descriptions there! 😀
Thought it would probably be a Beech product, but my searches are without fruit. 🙂
By: paul178 - 28th March 2013 at 21:54
I doubt it I have seen one flying about a couple of months ago around Bristol definately “T” tail
By: Bmused55 - 28th March 2013 at 21:46
Could this be the beast?
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March 28, 2013 at 8:57 pm