Military Aviation

A Lockheed C-130J Hercules (Registration: ZH868) makes a low pass over Roker Pier. The transport plane was on a training mission from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. Newspaper report: www.sunderlandecho.com/news/people/why-raf-hercules-plane-was-spotted-flying-low-in-sunderland-soaring-over-roker-and-seaburn-4071461 Based on data from FR24.com, the plane was flying about 100 metres asl at the time. The cargo ship 'Arklow View' is anchored in the background. PIP #1: Screenshot from FR24 showing flight path of the 'Herc' around Newcastle and Sunderland.

One of two AW-159 Wildcats that flew over Sunderland. As the screenshot in the PIP shows, the helicopters flew in from some distance offshore, possibly from a ship? The flight returned eastwards out to sea about half an hour later. The AW-159 is an upgraded version of the famous Lynx helicopter and is used by the British Army Air Corps and Royal Navy.