Just like the Good Old Days

For decades, US Air Force transports crossing the UK often routed overhead London on their way to and fro from Europe and beyond

 

A couple of decades ago new routes were designated for them which mostly routed them around the Capital

 

Having departed Ramstein in Germany for the USA, USAF AMC's 'Reach 2116' - Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy 86-0020 routed down over the Thames Estuary, South of London via Dorking to overhead Southampton and on towards Lands End

 

However, prior to going 'Oceanic' they encountered a 'Navigation' issue and took up a holding pattern just West of Cornwall

 

In the end the crew elected to return to Ramstein, ATC clearing them on a reciprocal track though instead of back via the Thames Estuary, their route took them on a more direct track via Midhurst and then Dover and on - just like they used to do

 

It must be the first time in at least 30 years that I've seen a C-5 on that route

 

Here, strobing well in the gathering gloom the Super Galaxy has just passed Midhurst at FL290

 

Apologies for the poor quality but at 16:59 I'm still amazed that at some 20 miles distant, I found it in the gloom though I was helped by the fact that she popped a small trail just beforehand

 

276A5246

Done