French tanker @ Dublin

N7777G

French AF C-135FR 738 arrived in Dublin shortly after midday. It is parked overnight on the west apron and is reported due to depart @ 1030 on Sunday.

http://flic.kr/p/anYbax

http://flic.kr/p/anYaLt

irlrobins

Does the drogue normally extend that far out when not in use?

Where was she heading after Dublin?

cyrusdvirus

irlrobins wrote: »

Does the drogue normally extend that far out when not in use?

Where was she heading after Dublin?

Good spot. I wouldn't have thought so. Could that be WHY she came to Dublin?

N7777G

N7777G wrote: »

French AF C-135FR 738 arrived in Dublin shortly after midday. It is parked overnight on the west apron and is reported due to depart @ 1030 on Sunday.

http://flic.kr/p/anYbax

http://flic.kr/p/anYaLt

It departed this morning @ 1112 - heading home to Istres Le Tube.

EchoIndia

irlrobins wrote: »

Does the drogue normally extend that far out when not in use?

Where was she heading after Dublin?

The French aircraft have the drogue permanently attached as their fighters use refuelling probes. USAF KC-135s normally use just the flying boom itself, as their receivers have fixed receptacles on the fuselage.

donvito99

Superb photos, liked the one with air france cargo in the background.

irlrobins

N7777G wrote: »

It departed this morning @ 1112 - heading home to Istres Le Tube.

Strange that it came to Dublin and not direct to France...

EchoIndia

This was a training flight involving a number of legs from and to base.

muppet01

does the drogue not usually retract fully int the boom??

EchoIndia

See reply 5 above.

muppet01

Get a now,thought it pulled in fully like VC10's Tri Starsetc, are they ex USAF?

irlrobins

EchoIndia wrote: »

This was a training flight involving a number of legs from and to base.

Thanks