Strange aircraft over sligo!

[John K]

Or was it the whacky baccy?

[Turkey]

OK, I've had another good long look at the piccy, IF it's military, I stress the IF then my money is on the B1B.

[Fouga]

Quote:"it does look kinda like a U2 with those wings"

I never Said the U2 Story was True or False but you never really know so until we see some pictures then we can keep this as open and valid.

[Frank (Admin)]

Hi Guys,

Here are the pictures that buzz took, seems like it's a twin engine aircraft on account of the double contrail, possibly a biz jet?  It's definitely not a U2, the wings are way too short.






Anyone got any other suggestions?


Regards,

Frank.

[John K]

Yeah, that's what I thought when I saw the photo's, B1Bs have been based at RAF Fairford from time to time.

[Imshi-Yallah]

S-37 Berkut?
Repainted Jaguar?
Alpha Jets about the right shape and at least two of the operating nations have them in black.

With regards to the F-117a being invisble to radar, a seldom reported book on US military mispending (I read it in UCD library) quotes operational documents from the first gulf war that state the F-117 had to be accompanied by radar Jamming aircraft after its first few sorties.
It is also due for obsolescence when first F/A-22s come online.

[buzz]

At about sunset yesterday between 6.30pm and 8.00pm on 20/sep/2003 i noticed a plane with a long pronounced vapour trail making a sharp turn in mid air and then continuing on in same direction. the aircraft was travelling from due west to due east and at a speed higher than normal airliners etc.
I zoomed in on it with camera and it appears to be a black plane with short wings coming out at a sharp angle. No sound heard or lights visible. I saw it over Enniscrone Co. Sligo... a village between Ballina Co. Mayo and Sligo town. I have never seen a jet fly on that path before.  anyone else see it or have any clues why a black F-16 type plane had to make a turn like that or even why it was here...nearest airport is either Knock or Strandhill(SLG).
thanks

[Fouga]

Not a U2 Then? Heard a Story before that EINN Atc had a USAF aircraft wanting to pass thru Irish Airspace and ATC requested it's type and callsign and the Pilot would not give his Info out so he was Restricted from Entering Irish Air Space until he eventually had to give his callsign UNIFORM TWO...AKA.....U2.

[Claudel Hopson]

Small black plane short sharp swept wings, quiet jet. Sounds like f117a Stealth Fighter

[Bailer]

Buzz,

If you zoomed in on it with a Camera Why didn't you take some Photo's???

I'm sure they could clear this up.

And as for the U2 story complete and utter crap probably made up by a bored SNN ATC controller trying to make his job sound exciting.

1. The U2 would hardly be spotted by EINN as it doesn't carry a transponder. (Being designed to avoid radar detection )
2. It would not give it's Callsign as Uniform 2. (The Model of Aircraft??? get real!!) nor probably it's operational callsign it would give it's Reg NO . Ie N-21221 or whatever.

[buzz]

i have photos of it. can't seem to be able to post them up so i'll try sending them to frank for him to post them......its definately not a F117. it does look kinda like a U2 with those wings.

[Frank (Admin)]

Hi Buzz,

There is no picture upload facility on this board, you'll have to send them to me via the submissions page.

Send the pictures on and I'll have them online asap.


Regards,

Frank.