Blackbriar 8,568 Posted January 16, 2018 Report Share Posted January 16, 2018 So..... I'm out today, beating for a shoot that used to be local to me. We're having a lovely day, in the winter sunshine of a Buckinghamshire morning, when we hear a helicopter approaching. A Chinook passes over, at maybe 500 feet, so I look up to admire this wonder of engineering. Immediately, I notice that it has no roundels, markings or identification numbers - just plain black. To cut a long story short, a very enjoyable day comes t an end, and we're all in the farmyard, wishing each other well, when we hear another helicopter approaching. Someone jokingly says "It's the police, checking us out !" I look up, and see an unmistakable silhouette - "I hope they're not looking for us - that's an Apache !" Everyone looks up, and we can clearly see the this awesome machine, complete (apparently) with missiles and all it's additional firepower, circling in a radius of about a mile, before veering off and disappearing over the horizon. The thing is, that this bird also had no markings of any kind on it ! No roundels, no US flag, no ID numbers....... Tinfoil wearers need not reply, but what could two unidentified helicopters (clearly military !) be doing, buzzing at low level, over the Buckinghamshire country side ? Could it be something to do with the fact that RAF Brize Norton was roughly to our west, and Hanslope Park (GCHQ) to our east ? But why no markings ? Sensible ideas only, please ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rabid 1,936 Posted January 16, 2018 Report Share Posted January 16, 2018 Nothing new, we've been having a pair of unmarked apache helos come over virtually every day for 6 weeks or so, not seen them for about a week. one day in particular we had four over within minutes. not a single one had markings, but all were fully loaded, once i got a wave from the pilot, they were so low you could make them out plain as day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisJones 7,973 Posted January 16, 2018 Report Share Posted January 16, 2018 10 minutes ago, Blackbriar said: But why no markings ? Maybe flying to the shop for their decals? 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackbriar 8,568 Posted January 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2018 4 minutes ago, Rabid said: Nothing new, we've been having a pair of unmarked apache helos come over virtually every day for 6 weeks or so, not seen them for about a week. one day in particular we had four over within minutes. not a single one had markings, but all were fully loaded, once i got a wave from the pilot, they were so low you could make them out plain as day. That's how this was - they were so low, you could almost feel the downdraught ! It's the plain black that's got me intrigued ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackbriar 8,568 Posted January 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2018 And, before anyone says " reconnaissance"..........neither of these mighty machines is exactly incon-f***ing -spicuous ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLATTOP 3,655 Posted January 16, 2018 Report Share Posted January 16, 2018 (edited) RAF Benson nearby which is a heli base. Edited January 16, 2018 by FLATTOP Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisJones 7,973 Posted January 16, 2018 Report Share Posted January 16, 2018 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Blackbriar said: That's how this was - they were so low, you could almost feel the downdraught ! It's the plain black that's got me intrigued ! We see them conducting exercises on the drive in and out of north vegas. I assumed the black was some form of night camo for whatever exercises they were conducting although I'm now waiting for a YouTube montage from our alternative thinkers! Edited January 16, 2018 by ChrisJones Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ted Newgent 4,896 Posted January 17, 2018 Report Share Posted January 17, 2018 maybe someone was test driving this one https://www.aircraftcompare.com/helicopter-airplane/Boeing-AH-64D-Apache-Longbow/263 anyone got any loose change ?? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackbriar 8,568 Posted January 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2018 20 minutes ago, ChrisJones said: We see them conducting exercises on the drive in and out of north vegas. I assumed the black was some form of night camo for whatever exercises they were conducting although I'm now waiting for a YouTube montage from our alternative thinkers! Plain black in broad daylight atm500 feet ? Not very well camo-ed ! Whatever they were doing, they weren't avoiding being seen. I have to say that to see an Apache so close, it makes you realise how many Taliban sphincters it must have loosened ! Incredible machine ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socks 32,253 Posted January 17, 2018 Report Share Posted January 17, 2018 There will be no markings on an apache and they also wouldn't be carrying any hellfires that's for certain ..... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
THE STIFFMEISTER 14,553 Posted January 17, 2018 Report Share Posted January 17, 2018 Good Apache book called dressed to kill if your that way inclined Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jonjon79 13,340 Posted January 17, 2018 Report Share Posted January 17, 2018 Probably just a training run - maybe just checking out their kit by targeting different things on the ground etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackbriar 8,568 Posted January 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2018 8 hours ago, socks said: There will be no markings on an apache and they also wouldn't be carrying any hellfires that's for certain ..... Your knowledge of these things is greater than mine mate, and I can't tell a real missile from a fake one, but it definitely had them ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
greg64 2,560 Posted January 17, 2018 Report Share Posted January 17, 2018 9 hours ago, THE STIFFMEISTER said: Good Apache book called dressed to kill if your that way inclined apache by ed macy is another great read 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kanny 19,322 Posted January 17, 2018 Report Share Posted January 17, 2018 Special black ops.. Probably a downed flying saucer in the area 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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