Black Hawks over London

**cheesypoptart** · 05-11-2009, 18:29

As I crossed Waterloo Bridge mid-afternoon, I saw a Blackhawk fly in from the NW over Westminster, then do a 360 just south of the Eye, then fly off to the east down the Thames. Last I saw it, it was heading West again further south. Anyone have any idea what a US BH - the fancy version with a refueling probe - would be doing here?

**Victorian_Major** · 05-11-2009, 18:32

The heli lanes. Tourism for aviators - or a chance to fry students with poor map reading skills.

**Bravo_Zulu** · 05-11-2009, 18:37

The Revolution has begun

**Trotsky** · 05-11-2009, 18:37

Blackhawks are not uncommon over central London, I saw one take off from Chelsea barracks a few years ago

**llech** · 05-11-2009, 18:42

Thats nothing we've had Apache's flying through our valley here in North Wales for two days running. One even fired a shamoolie.

**terroratthepicnic** · 05-11-2009, 18:44

Blackhawks and Chinooks are always flying over London. Occasionaly you may see some Lynx, and the other week I am sure I saw a Puma flying above the Thames.

**Circus_Pony** · 05-11-2009, 18:54

Best I saw were a brace of Mil-24 HIND-D "escorted" by a Sea King back in the '90s. Turns out they were Czech and on the way to RIAT. Gave me a turn i) that they were "here" and ii) that some-one thought a 1969-vintage Sea King was up to the task of pacing them!

**4(T)** · 05-11-2009, 19:06

Lets hope its the start of a coup.....

**troopie** · 05-11-2009, 19:16

A couple of months ago I saw a Blackhawk come in from the north, hover above a reservoir in Enfield for several minutes, then fly off south towards the City. Couldn't see any markings, but it had a refuelling probe.

**MadKev** · 05-11-2009, 19:39

Refueling from the Stealth air tanker over the reservoir, bloody show-offs they are.

**Victorian_Major** · 05-11-2009, 21:34

Originally Posted by troopie

A couple of months ago I saw a Blackhawk come in from the north, hover above a reservoir in Enfield for several minutes, then fly off south towards the City. Couldn't see any markings, but it had a refuelling probe.

Holding in the Lea Valley awaiting permission to cross London City airport...