Saw one of these fly over Nottingham at low altitude just a couple of hours ago.
I've found out that it's a Boeing Sentry AEW1, almost certainly one of seven such planes based out of RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. These craft are used for Airborne Early Warning purposes ("Aerial patrolling to provide timely information on an opponent's air activity and his potential to attack friendly territory or interfere with friendly operations") and also sometimes serve an Airborne Warning and Control System or AWACS role ("Modification of the AEW role where the aircraft can also provide control and direction of friendly defensive and offensive operations").
What it was doing flying right over Nottingham city centre at low altitude, I don't know. It could have been flying to another RAF base. Perhaps it was being deployed somewhere. Or maybe it was just training.
Crikey those are good photos.
Did you use your new camera? If so when did you develop the ability to fly at speeds rivaling military aircraft?
They're not my photos obviously. Although I did have a camera in my pocket, it didn't occur to me to take it out until the plane had disappeared. Obviously I'm still adapting to the fact that I'm carrying a camera around with me now...
Testing...
And again.