HEREFORDSHIRE may not have a major airport, but that does not mean our skies are any less interesting that those in more populated areas.
From historic Supermarine Spitfires, to impressive US Air Force B52s, these are some of the aircraft which have been spotted flying in the Herefordshire skies.
Jane Hufton spotted this C17 Globemaster circling over north Herefordshire in 2020.
The C-17 Globemaster III (Globemaster C-17) is a long-range, heavy-lift strategic transport aircraft that can operate close to a potential area of operations for combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide.
According to the RAF, the C-17 is capable of rapid, strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases anywhere in the world. The Globemaster’s load-bearing rear ramp and digitally controlled loading systems, combined with the skills of its crews and ground handlers, enable large, complex items of equipment, including Chinook helicopters, military vehicles and other heavy items of specialist kit to be loaded.
It can transport 100,000lb (45,360kg) of freight more than 4,500nm (8,334km) while flying at altitudes above 35,000ft
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front-line service with various military operators for many years.
During World War Two, more than 50,000 paratroops were dropped by C-47s during the first few days of the D-Day campaign in June 1944.
This picture was taken by Keith George as the plane, complete with invasion stripes, flew over Herefordshire in 2018.
Geoff Houghton captured this collection of Eurofighter Typhoons over Leominster in 2018.
Designed to be a highly agile dogfighter, the first production aircraft flew in 2003, and delivery of the first aircraft started during early 2004.
The RAF said it is capable of being deployed for the full spectrum of air operations, including air policing, peace support, and high-intensity combat.
Typhoons have flown precision attack missions in all their combat deployments to date, but their most essential role remains the provision of quick reaction alert for UK and Falklands Islands airspace.
This Hercules was snapped at Shobdon by Laura Shepherd in 2019.
The first production C-130A Hercules entered service in December 1956 and Lockheed went on to create a bewildering array of variants and subvariants for the US and foreign militaries, and civilian market.
Many years and design changes later, the Hercules is the RAF’s primary tactical transport aircraft and the current versions have been the backbone of UK operational tactical mobility tasks since they were brought into service in 1999. It is frequently employed to operate into countries or regions where there is a threat to aircraft; its performance, tactics and defensive systems make it the ideal platform for such tasks.
The Hawker Hurricane played a vital role in the Battle of Britain, but there are now only 12 airworthy Hurricanes left in the world.
Designed by the Hawker Aircraft Company in 1934, it first entered service in 1937, giving the RAF with a fighter 160kph (100mph) faster than aircraft then in service, with an increased fire power of eight machine guns.
The Hurricane and its partner, the Spitfire, played a vital role in battles during the summer of 1940, destroying more enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain than all the other air and ground defences combined.
This picture of a Hurricane and a Spitfire flying over Shobdon in 2019 was captured by Adam Edwards.
Once the most numerous of all British combat aircraft, the Supermarine Spitfire was critical in defeating Luftwaffe air attacks during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Entering service in 1938, it became a symbol of freedom during the summer months of 1940 by helping to defeat the German air attacks during the Battle of Britain, and was the highest performing Allied aircraft in 1940.
These USAF B52s were seen by Andrew Lodge burning fuel over Herefordshire before coming in to land at RAF Fairford.
The USAF B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions, capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and carrying nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability.
The B-52 can perform strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations, while during Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 percent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces.
It is also highly effective for ocean surveillance and can assist in anti-ship and mine-laying operations. In two hours, two B-52s can monitor 140,000 square miles of ocean surface.
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