Contrails

[Smoke2much]

This morning I was outside at dawn having a cigarette.  In the sky, heading into the rising sun were about 15 contrails of aircraft in formation heading south east.

I have no idea what sort of aircraft they were but since the 1940's this area has been home to US bombers.

During WW2 people in east anglia watched the 8th airforce heading to the continent at dawn, they counted them back on their return.  Many of those crews never came home.  God willing the planes I saw this morning will all stay safe.

It is chilling to see a reminder of this latest conflict in mankind's long and bloody history so close to home.

Will

[Craig.]

i would say it might have been the B52's returning home but since they were heading south east that wouldnt make sense. Are there any in active service there now?? bearing in mind they fly two by two formation, or at least have every time i have seen them, so that would mean 16 contrails maybe one wasnt

[Smoke2much]

I didn't do an accurate count, fifteen implied "more than ten, less than twenty."  They could well have been flying NW I wasn't watching that closely and to be honest I did't realise the significance of what I was seeing until I got back inside.

They were flying in two's, the last two contrails were visible alone for a few minutes after the others had dissipated.  Thanks for explaining why.

Will  

[Craig.]

could have been a fleet of 747's flying formation:)

[Smoke2much]

You're right.  It could have been anything.  I started this thread after being awake all night.  It could have been high level clouds or avenging angels.  I haven't bothered to ask the US embassey yet LOL.

Joking apart it was probably nothing but it could have been B-52's heading out or back.

Will  :o

[Craig.]

could have been angry skunks aafter a rather nasty curry

[Smoke2much]

Thinking about this seriously I don't think B-52's have any need to fly to where they're going to, from where they're flying from, over where I was standing when I was standing there.

So it was probably funny looking clouds.

Will

[Craig.]

huh

[Smoke2much]

I meant that Norwich probably isn't on the flight path of a B-52 flying from wherever they are based to Iraq.  In addition they probably wouldn't fly over at about 5.00 AM anyway.

That should make a little more sense.

Will

[Blade]

Norwich in England? Well it would make sense, there are B-52's and B-1B's at Fairford and Lakenheath doing bombing missions on Iraq.