Waddington 15.7.22 - Chilean and an Ex Sentinel

[reaper493]

Afternoon,

3rd post from me in a week, not been a normal week by any standards.

Today we had the FaCh B767 returning to collect the Chilean aircrew. The B767 is parked on Alpha and is weekend stopping.
ZH103/106 are parked at an angle, presumably for a back drop to the Graduation today.

DSC_9756 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9759 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9762 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9764 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9796 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

Then we have ex 5sqd Sentinel R1 N694BD out on air test - original plan so I was told was a flight 12.45-16.30, but he was up before 9 and back before 10, unsure if it was a success or not, but the RAT was deployed on the nose.

DSC_9771 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9775 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9777 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9782 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9785 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9786 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9790 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9791 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

Also included a shot of ZH102/107 as they await scrapping - 101 is currently in the left of the Sentry Hangar.

DSC_9799 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

DSC_9800 by Mike Hiley, on Flickr

Thanks

Mike

[100arw]

but the RAT was deployed on the nose.

Well spotted.
P.

[awacsfan]

Lovely pictures - thanks for sharing them with us.

Please forgive my question but what ist this RAT on the ex Sentinel? I have never seen this before or I may have simply overlooked it.

[reaper493]

Think it stands for ram air turbine.

It's used for re starting something in mid air (not sure what - possibly the apu/electrics?) and has been tested on the previous two airtests of Sentinels as well.

[awacsfan]

Thanks Mike for your fast reply and explanation!

[Stug298]

Think it stands for ram air turbine.

It's used for re starting something in mid air (not sure what - possibly the apu/electrics?) and has been tested on the previous two airtests of Sentinels as well.

the ...RAT ...Provides hydraulic power in the event of a system failure...

[awacsfan]

@Stug298 - thank you very much for the additional explanation. I am happy to say I learned something new today!

[Woodford]

How many of the E3's are going to Chile? Not many left in airworthy condition by the looks of it.

[reaper493]

Just the 2, the rest will be scrapped on base - somewhere.

[paddyboy]

Hi Mike

Great catches there

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[reheat module]

Pending upon the nature of the Flight Test or Air Test, it may be a requirement WITHIN the test schedule to deploy the RAT. Some ac types can recycle the RAT, others I believe may only be reset on the ground.

[PA200]

Some interesting shots there especially with the RAT deployed.

reheat module wrote:

Some ac types can recycle the RAT, others I believe may only be reset on the ground.

The Hawk is one of the latter, if I remember right you move the stick back and forth for the RAT to retract.

[TopGun74]

767 looks really smart.

[GhostFlight91]

Very nice Mike

[Supra]

Excellent shots of the action at Waddo'. Close as I can tell the US registered Sentinels have yet to fly without the RAT deployed?

[reaper493]

The three Sentinels have all had one air test each prior to heading stateside, and all have deployed the RAT on the airtest so it looks to be standard procedure on it.

Believe the final two are potentially waiting on parts?

[saint1]

Nice pics of the Sentinel RAT just put a video of it arriving at RIAT and the odd noise the RAT makes in the video section.

[jsmith0894]

What a shame to see the E-3s slowly being dismantled. Seen a similar sight with the Nimrods way back when..