I have lived here many years. I've never observed big propeller planes flying overhead. Until just recently. I have seen at least 3 different types of 2 and 4-prop airplanes. These have been flying in 2, 3 of 4 plane formations. And what makes this really different is that they always fly over our community at a very low altitudes (maybe at about 1000 ft.) even though they are a long way from an airport.

Recently yellow arrows have also been placed on the BACKS of traffic signs along the Interstate. I've heard on a radio talk show that such were also sighted in other areas of the country. Does anyone know who placed them and for what purpose?

-- b (b@b.b), December 10, 1998

Answers

Where are you? What, uh, large bases, etc., are near you?

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 10, 1998.

I've run into this report off and on over the last, oh, I'd say four or five years, in one variation or another. Funny thing is, despite all of the shortwave radio hoohah, I've never been able to get anyone to provide any sort of detailed descriptions of the aircraft involved.

Folks, if you see an unusual airplane, you might try going to the library and checking a book called JANES' ALL THE WORLD'S AIRCRAFT...or JANES' MILITARY AIRCRAFT to see if you find anything similar.

as for the markings, most likely they're keyed to either the county or state master road maps so that the maintenance crews can tell who is responsible for which signs, and when they were put in place.

Arlin [who is now seeing this same rumor go by for at least the seventh or eigth time...]

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), December 10, 1998.

Hmmmm

I don't usually buy into the 'conspiracy' stuff, but this past year I noticed that many of our street intersections have been sprouting BIG numbers painted on the street, best viewed from the air. I assumed that they were for hurricane traffic control.

Hmmmm....

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), December 10, 1998.

Arlin,

I have seen these propeller planes. THREE types of multi-engines. It's not a rumor. What difference does it make what kind they were? I don't have time nor interest to research Jane's.

Why would they appear on the scene so suddenly? Why are they ALL flying so low? Why would they fly over our town when there is miles of desolation all around here. It's like they wanted to be noticed.

-- b (b@b.b), December 10, 1998.

The 4 engine turboprops are almost certainly C-130's. The 2 engine prop (actually 2 props 2 small jet engines) might be C-123's. These are cargo planes/troop carriers. Used to do a lot of low level drop missions in them. (Loud and scary when close to mother terra!!)

-- RD. ->H (drherr@erols.com), December 10, 1998.

Go check with your state film office under state government. One of the studios are probably filming in your area. Colored arrows are usually indicative of filming activity for cast,crew, and vendor reference to the shooting location. Follow the arrows you may even have a run in with Brando or Nicholson.

Cheers

-MC

-- MC Davey (UFOskyBlue@aol.com), December 10, 1998.

b. -

the reason it makes a difference is that by figuring out what types of aircraft you're seeing (and especially if you can get the tail markings, wing markings, and especially fusillage numbers - which function similar to license plates for aircraft) it's possible to get a better idea of who and what might be involved.

My first thoughts were similar to R.D.'s - probably C-130's, or some such. A couple of other alternatives include one of the historical aircraft restoration groups like the Confederate Air Force (headquartered in southern Texas - they have a number of 4 engine types, all the way up through a B-29), or you could be dealing with training flights for slurry bombers (the folks who drop foam on forest fires) or other similar possibilities, all of which would include low level flight practice, sometimes in formations.

just my 2 cents' worth, Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), December 10, 1998.

There were 4-prop planes with pods hanging between engines.

There were planes with big bulbous front ends when viewed from below.

There DC-3's, I think.

-- b (b@b.b), December 11, 1998.