The first six Tornadoes arrived at Lossiemouth for their two week detachment on Wednesday 22nd. Serials as previously reported on SIS. The two aircraft delayed at Trapani arrived at Marham on 23rd and overnighted. They departed as expected today Friday 24th at 12.45Z transit Lossiemouth and now believed to have landed.
Yesterday 23rd C-130H 472 departed for LICT at 08.22Z leaving C-130H 1622 and 1624 on VASS with KE-3A 1812 on 15 sq ramp. Saudi Tornadoes were hangared early afternoon. Another C-130H expected today as yet unknown or arrival unconfirmed.
Depending on the weather and amount of time I will be visiting Lossiemouth Thursday morning to see the Saudi Tornado's.
Can someone give me an idea about the flying times of the Saudi's i.e what time they take off and when they return to Lossiemouth after their missions.
Absolutely no idea and nothing unusual with that. The local Bombing Range is virtually booked all week and is 5 minutes flying time. Apparently Typhoons are also coming to play so their sortie times will be no less than an hour but not surprised if they are over two. Their detachment only started today and no-one will know how long their flying times are until they do fly.
This Saudi detachment is a fully equipped and self-contained unit requiring only fuel and ATC so few people know what is going on. Until a pattern develops, security prevails.
Yup, they are staying until around that time just as the French arrive so you should see a good overlap. Next week Harriers on exercise I am informed.
Lossiemouth has to be one of the best bases in Europe for photos - see the Scramble Maps Guide which is very accurate. You bring a stepladder to one spot, you have tyre marks on your forehead! Don't park in the farmer's fields at runway 05 end but if you do not block the access, there is not a problem. Just bring a chair and earplugs.
Yup, they are staying until around that time just as the French arrive so you should see a good overlap
I will be at Lossiemouth on Monday the 10th of September, are you saying the Saudies will still be there then? We were already convinced we were just going to miss them, but now I am hoping! And which "French" are coming? I didn't see anything about a French delegation yet (might be my fault though.... )
According to a message on FighterControl the whole bunch will be leaving on the 10th. I've also read that there will be Harriers next week, but the French deployment is new to me as well.
On an ealier post, ir was suggested that the above might call back through Marham on the 10th of September.
I would have thought that they would make a longer leg, or all the way to Trapani if the weather was better than their arrival day.
However I would like nothing better than to see them (and I cannot get to Scotland) so if anyone can confirm the route/timings of their return that would be fantastic.
On an ealier post, ir was suggested that the above might call back through Marham on the 10th of September.
I would have thought that they would make a longer leg, or all the way to Trapani if the weather was better than their arrival day.
However I would like nothing better than to see them (and I cannot get to Scotland) so if anyone can confirm the route/timings of their return that would be fantastic.
Does anyone know as if the Saudies are vissible from the outside during the weekend?
Sorry for not responding to queries I created but have been away. Tomorrow there is a Families Day at Lossie and Monday 3rd Harriers of the Naval Strike Wing arrive for a week. There is a French AF support arrival end of next week for a presumed detachment at Lossie which will start when the Saudis depart. It is not known exactly what is going to be arriving but support is returning two weeks later apparently.
The Saudi Tornadoes are using one of the hangars on the southern side with the apron directly in front of that hangar. Hangar 20 is directly visible, when open, across the airfield from the northern viewing area at point 8 on the Scramble map. The apron in use is highly visible from the road north of point 4 but as previously advised - be careful where you park.
The Saudis are very elusive in transit flight. The Tornadoes were not clearly followed enroute north and the last two were not seen or heard at all to my knowledge. The Hercs and KE-3As seem to be departing and picking up airways at Perth then going south over Glasgow which explains why none of us on the eastern side have seen any support - see any map of Scotland.
If we do hear them going out and know which way they are going, shall post immediately on this forum.
Yesterday most Saudies (6 out of 8 ) flew a local mission, so they definately didn't leave yet. My guess is that they will indeed leave next Monday, but I am still trying to get confirmation on this. To be continued...
Got confirmation today that they indeed will fly their last operational missions coming friday, and then leave on monday.
Happy spotting! We will be there
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