Peripart
Antediluvian
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2005
- Messages
- 6,733
Here's an odd one.
I worked a bit late tonight, and at about 7.50pm was driving home through New Oscott, Birmingham. For those who vaguely know the area, I was passing the bloody great Tesco superstore.
Anyway, I was headed West-ish along the Chester Road, when I saw some aircraft lights up ahead. There were the red and green wing-lights, and some white landing-lights, too, and from the orientation of the lights I could tell that the plane was headed towards me. It would have been just over the nearest point of Sutton Park when I spotted it (half a mile or so).
I only gave the plane a second glance because it seemed to be flying very low compared to the usual air traffic in the area. Assuming that it was an airliner, I took it to be travelling at about 1000ft - pure guesswork on my part, I admit, but it seemd lower than I would have expected if it had been on approach to Birmingham Airport.
But here's the thing - I was travelling almost directly towards this plane (it would eventually pass just on my right), but it hardly seemed to be getting any closer. You know how it is: an airliner will seem to take while to approach, but as it nears, its apparent speed increases and then it's gone in a flash. This wasn't like that at all. At last, and bear in mind that I'm doing 30mph towards this aircraft, I drew level with it, and as the traffic was quiet, I was able to look out of the side window of my car as we passed. It was bizarre, and here's why:
I am convinced, as I sit here typing this, that this plane was travelling no faster than my car. I was able to take a good look, and although able to discern that it was not, after all, as big as a large airliner, it was no Cessna or other light aircraft. It was a fixed-wing craft, by the look of it a jet, and it was literally dawdling over the rooftops of a busy suburb, at a speed which would surely cause the lightest plane to stall.
The only thing I can think is that it was a Harrier jump-jet, and indeed the size and shape would be about right for that interpretation. But what on earth would a military plane like a Harrier be doing hovering over Sutton Coldfield on a Thursday night? Has anyone else seen anything of this kind, or should I visit an optician ASAP?
I worked a bit late tonight, and at about 7.50pm was driving home through New Oscott, Birmingham. For those who vaguely know the area, I was passing the bloody great Tesco superstore.
Anyway, I was headed West-ish along the Chester Road, when I saw some aircraft lights up ahead. There were the red and green wing-lights, and some white landing-lights, too, and from the orientation of the lights I could tell that the plane was headed towards me. It would have been just over the nearest point of Sutton Park when I spotted it (half a mile or so).
I only gave the plane a second glance because it seemed to be flying very low compared to the usual air traffic in the area. Assuming that it was an airliner, I took it to be travelling at about 1000ft - pure guesswork on my part, I admit, but it seemd lower than I would have expected if it had been on approach to Birmingham Airport.
But here's the thing - I was travelling almost directly towards this plane (it would eventually pass just on my right), but it hardly seemed to be getting any closer. You know how it is: an airliner will seem to take while to approach, but as it nears, its apparent speed increases and then it's gone in a flash. This wasn't like that at all. At last, and bear in mind that I'm doing 30mph towards this aircraft, I drew level with it, and as the traffic was quiet, I was able to look out of the side window of my car as we passed. It was bizarre, and here's why:
I am convinced, as I sit here typing this, that this plane was travelling no faster than my car. I was able to take a good look, and although able to discern that it was not, after all, as big as a large airliner, it was no Cessna or other light aircraft. It was a fixed-wing craft, by the look of it a jet, and it was literally dawdling over the rooftops of a busy suburb, at a speed which would surely cause the lightest plane to stall.
The only thing I can think is that it was a Harrier jump-jet, and indeed the size and shape would be about right for that interpretation. But what on earth would a military plane like a Harrier be doing hovering over Sutton Coldfield on a Thursday night? Has anyone else seen anything of this kind, or should I visit an optician ASAP?
