Military Flyover
 

We were floating between Parker and Rattlesnake islands on Thursday (7/7) enjoying the sunset, when these two planes flew down the broads, fairly low. Pretty cool!

They Were Awesome!
 

Thanks MJM! I was hoping someone snapped a shot! I thought for sure they were military planes, but it happened so fast to truly see them well. I was inside at the time and really didn't hear them until they were right in front of the camp. They must have been pretty low for me to see them looking straight out over the lake. It was quite exciting to see them fly by and I'm so glad that I didn't miss it. Thanks again for the great pictures!

C-130 Hercules, manufactured by Lockheed-Martin.

Great reliable and safe. Primarily used as a cargo plane but have been adapted to many uses like, a gunship (Puff), electronic surveillance, CG Search and Rescue, Hurricane Monitor and many others.

Thousands have been manufactured since they went into production, I believe back in the 50's.

Really great pictures too. I especially like the first one.

My father flew KC-130s in Viet Nam. They're quite versatile and they're still in use today. At first glance they remind me of a B-17.

Very low down Alton Bay
 

Saw them as well flying south down Alton Bay maybe 100 feet off the water. Thought they must have known someone in the area and gave them a flyby.

There are a few different letter designation for the C-130s. The "K" designation means it is a tanker/refueling platform.

First Flight August 23, 1954. Some were used for helicopter in flight refueling. The early "gunships" carried 4 side mounted 20mm Gatling guns. :D On the lead plane you can see the NEW Six bladed propellers of a Super Herc. :)NB

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-130J_Super_Hercules

About two afternoons ago, an orange & white Coast Guard J-Hawk helicopter flew out over Timber Isl and then disappeared low behind Gov Isl. Maybe it was headed for Sawyer's to get a big supply of the raspberry ice cream?

Coast Guard to Sawyers: Alert standby while we lower a rescue swimmer to pick up up that raspberry ice!!! .. ;)

Beautiful shot. What great timing with the background.

"Over" Bar-B-Que Dinner...
 

That evening, I heard that now-familiar sound of big engines echoing off the hillsides. :)

I happened to be seated facing NNW, and pointed out two of them flying very low over Mirror Lake and then—approximately—over Swissvale.

:look:

Could you, would you, send me the best files of those pics that you have please? Pretty please? If you don't mind. I have shown those to a few friends of mine in the Guard and they would like them for the office and desktops.
Hey if they liked them that much ya know they are great pics.

Thanks.:D

pgsmgs@aol.com

MJM you must be in this pic

Very cool!
 

I would say one of those tiny whitish specs is us! Cool! :)

Don't mind the airplanes. The Marine Patrol is just borrowing a couple of AC-130's to ramp up enforcement on the lake. :D Their boats might not be able to catch you, but their Air Support WILL! :D

Local divers should have some new wrecks to check out in the near future. LOL They'll even have a new game. Name That Round. If the diver can guess what round sunk the offending boat, they win a prize. Was it the 20mm, 40mm, or was someone really bad, and get the 105mm treatment? :laugh:

Great pictures. I'm jealous!

Any time I see a military aircraft flying around, I have to stop and watch. It's been ingrained in me since I was a child of 10 or 11. My shiny objects come in olive drab. *chuckle*

Flew over in WWII planes
 

I've had the opportunity to fly over Lake Winnipesaukee in both a B-17 and B-24 with the windows over and the wind blowing by my face - absolutely amazing!

Air Show
 

Every time there is an air show at Pease National Guard base; there are a few 'exhibitionists' that like to treat the veterans on the lake.

I heard it started when Lt Cmdr J A St Louis of Laconia was being honored for his service as a Naval test pilot during WWII and after. He had severe cataracts from high altitude testing without pressure suits in the days.

He was my Dad's best friend and I was able to hear many of his stories as a pilot. I salute the gallant and brave pilots of the past as well as the present. :patriot:

Does anyone know if we can expect something similar this weekend (Sunday) for the race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway? Do they typically fly over the lake?

Collings Foundation
 

These are the people who tour the country with a B-17 and B-24, as well as other assorted WWII aircraft. Check out their schedule. They were in Laconia late last September. They usually stay in each place 2-3 days. :) NB

http://www.collingsfoundation.org/cf_schedules.htm

EDIT: There is only One "Airworthy" B-24 and Eight "Airworthy" B-17s in the world today. The B-17 "Liberty Belle" (NOT Memphis Belle") crash landed and burned less than a month ago and was destroyed. No one was injured.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...7.photogallery

N.B.;

Are there any airworthy B-29s left??

Dan

YES: There is ONE "Airworthy" B-29 left, named FIFI. :) NB

No they circle over the Concord area before the race, fly over the race, then head home. It's usually a KC-135R from Portsmouth and two F-16's from Burlington.

Pease Airshow Aug 13/14
 

Don't forget, the Pease Airshow is Aug 13 and 14 and the USAF Thunderbirds will be there this year. We went last year and it was a nightmare. I think because it had been soooo long since they had an airshow in NH, they needed to get the bugs out all over again. The lines were absolutely insane, even by airshow standards. I did two enlistments in the Marine Corps, most of which on a air station (El Toro, Miramar, Kadena AFB) and I have never seen lines like we did at Pease last year. It is also probably a testament to the sentiment the public feels towards the Military right now.

Anyway, it was a good show, performance wise, and I hope it will generate some lake view fly overs.

HCG

Governor's Island rescue!!!
 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tidewatermuse/39252554

Ok ok, so maybe this Coast Guard J Hawk is not hovering over Governor's Island, but it looks just like the one that flew above Timber and Governor's Islands, then headed low towards the Laconia Airport (which is in Gilford) or somewhere, last week.

I don't know about planes over the race but if you want to see some nice private planes go to Laconia Airport to check out the drivers transportation this weekend.

There were four fighter jets circling around the Concord area this afternoon. I wasn't able to get outside in time during the first pass which was most visible so couldn't tell type type.

Snip From a video from Loudon today
 

Son # 2 had pit passes today. He took a video with his cell phone, but I can't figure out how to post it. So this is a "snip" from the video.

He is very familar with military aircraft from his time in Key West and believes they were F-22 Raptors. Shape looks right, but I'm no expert.

Attachment 5106

RG said they came over the island again today. Only a couple hundred feet north of where they came over the other day. Maybe they have a new favorite route. Although she was waiting for them this time, she said they are just too fast to get a picture.

Too bad you didn't marry a fast woman.