Paphos Life

Over the past few weeks there have been quite a few flypasts by a pair of fast moving powerful sounding turbo-prop aircraft with twin tails. Completely unfamiliar to me, they have an almost drone-like appearance seen from Lofos, with very large props mounted unusually high. I tried to find out about them on other sources, without success; have any other members seen them, and better still, know what they are?
Jon.

Could it be something like this?



https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/p ... ment-says/

Thanks, memory man, you've nailed it!!
Jon.

Yes, they are V22 osprey used by the USA forces I was told that there is a US fleet off the coast somewhere

Thanks for that David. I do wonder what their purpose is?
Jon.

These strange looking VTOL aircraft are based on a US Carrier currently visiting in Limassol harbour.

kingfisher wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2024 4:01 pm Thanks for that David. I do wonder what their purpose is?
Jon.

The USS Wasp is already docked at Limassol port, and will soon be joined by the USS Oak Hill and USS New York in the region.

was linked to Cyprus’s readiness to assist with evacuations if necessary.

Thank you, memory man.
Jon.

Further to last post, have just seen and read the article in CM where the "humanitarian" nature of the exercise is emphasised. Whenever the US needs to deflect the populace from domestic woes it kindles a proxy war- I believe the total since 1945 is now around seventy. The usual reason given is to "bring democracy" to a region perceiced to be democracy-deficient, so at least it's a different excuse this time!
Jon.

Heading - UFO's - if you don't know your aircraft fully understandable question with various correct answers - and then finished off with a typical political post - REALLY - can't someone ask a simple question to get some simple explanation without going all political !!!!

Fair point, but I understand the word "thread" to imply the scope for some deviation from the original topic. Perhaps the rules need tightening- it seems to be very fashionable to curtail free speech!!
Jon .

kingfisher wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 5:51 pm Over the past few weeks there have been quite a few flypasts by a pair of fast moving powerful sounding turbo-prop aircraft with twin tails. Completely unfamiliar to me, they have an almost drone-like appearance seen from Lofos, with very large props mounted unusually high. I tried to find out about them on other sources, without success; have any other members seen them, and better still, know what they are?
Jon.

This photo was taken on 26 July when they were landing in the KEN Pafou army camp in Anarita, staying there with engines running around 15 minutes, taking off again and doing a loop around my house, then landing again. I've a couple of videos too.

Thank you Ams for excellent picture. Were you familiar with this aircraft prior to it landing near you, or if it was unfamiliar, were you surprised?
Jon

The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.

kingfisher wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2024 1:18 pm Thank you Ams for excellent picture. Were you familiar with this aircraft prior to it landing near you, or if it was unfamiliar, were you surprised?
Jon

I had never seen this type of aircraft before, it was a complete surprise - and noisy! I've seen them a few times since then though, they recently landed in the army camp again, again not for very long.

Some years ago I had US chinooks flying over the house and landing in the camp - that was even noisier. Normally we only get the very occasional Cyprus helicopter with some local dignitary visiting the camp, it's normally quiet.

I have a super zoom camera, which is why I managed to get good photos. I didn't know they were US planes till I spotted the 'marines' on the photo