RAF: Big bang in Grimsby wasn't us
THE Royal Air Force has said none of its planes were responsible for what many have called a "sonic boom" over Grimsby.
As reported, the Grimsby Telegraph received many calls from residents who had heard what sounded like a large explosion at about 7pm on Wednesday.
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GOING BOOM: A plane creates a Sonic Boom.
Initial fears that there had been an explosion were quickly allayed and theories turned to the possibility of a sonic boom from a plane.
Initially, these suggestions appeared to be legitimate when it was revealed that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently carrying out a low-flying operation named "Exercise Lightning Force" in the area.
However, when contacted by the Grimsby Telegraph, Squadron Leader Nikki Stacey, based at Headquarters Air Command, said the noise had not been caused by an RAF aircraft, adding there was "nothing reported" from any of the forces' "fast jet units". Gareth Stringer, deputy editor of Global Aviation Resource magazine, said: "A sonic boom occurs when an aeroplane breaks the sound barrier and the noise that you hear is the shockwave of area around the aircraft.
"As far as I am aware, no aircraft should break the sound barrier within ten miles of the coast, but certain atmospheric and weather conditions can mean the sound of the boom can travel further.
"That could explain why something may have been heard inland.
"Being someone who's fascinated with aviation, hearing a sonic boom is something that I would find quite cool, but I can understand why people who didn't know what the noise was would be shocked.
"These things do happen and it is certainly not something that people should be scared about."
Although not confirmed, it appears that some kind of sonic boom is the most popular explanation held by residents who were startled by the noise.
Julie Glover, who lives in Laceby, said: "I heard a big bang and the whole house shook.
"I looked out of the window but all I saw was a plane flying over."
Emma Lingard, of Healing, was tending to her horse in Immingham when the bang occurred.
"I heard a loud clatter on the roof and some pheasants flew off, so I thought it was an animal," she said.
"I jumped and the horse jumped. I walked out of the stable and couldn't see anything.
"When I returned to the car, where my son, Tom, was, he said the car had shook.
"Whatever it was, it was strong enough to shake a parked car."
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by 2011scott
Saturday, January 21 2012, 12:15AM
“surely if you are flying below 300ft you would not show up on radar, espcially at high speed, so the RAF wouldnt know????”
by 2011scott
Saturday, January 21 2012, 12:08AM
“if you fly under 300ft do you not avoid radar detection?? especially at high speeds?? im sure it something around these lines, so then the RAF would may be not know anything of such an event??
just a thought??”
by AFSCMik
Friday, January 20 2012, 11:54PM
“headquarters air command? I think you asked the wrong person.”
by Glynnyboy
Friday, January 20 2012, 11:46PM
“Blimey someone stole my theory and gets 3 likes all i get is one dislike, charmin :(”
by NaFili
Friday, January 20 2012, 10:04PM
“I must add my two pennyworth
To lighten up the gloom
Suggesting a strange parallel to
That terrifying boom.
I remember, in the cold war days,
Some fifty years ago,
A similar occurrence which
Not many people know.
Through military bungling
On one dark and wintery day
A Russian missile was dispatched
And headed Britain's way.
The yanks went for the red telephone
But no one had a dime!
With luck, the Russians rang them up
Just in the nick of time.
Otherwise there'd be no one
Sat here to write this post
We'd all have just been laid there
Like a pile of wrinkled toast.
The Russians couldn't call it back,
The controller was a fool,
They said the best that they could do
Was drop it down on Goole.
The government agreed to this
And Goole's sad fate was sealed
But now that mystery flash and blast
Can safely be revealed.
The story didn't finish there
As you will understand
Our government was most upset
At the damage to our land
The town of Goole was a sorry scene
Of total devastation
And so a lawyer was dispatched
To seek some compensation.
And so, to avoid a global war,
The Russians make recompense
They gave in to the British demands
For thirty seven pence.
Rambling Sid”
by Juggernaught
Friday, January 20 2012, 7:25PM
“If it was a Sonic Boom, what could have caused it if it wasn't the military (RAF or USAF)? The shock wave we felt was never caused 10 miles out at sea, my wife said that she felt a partial vacuum (shock wave?). Isn't anyone concerned that there could be unknown supersonic aircraft overhead? Ok, it may be an American super plane such as "Aurora" which apparently doesn't exist, if it is something like this the military would deny any such knowledge anyway. It just intriguing that we have no explanation for something as extraordinary as a sonic boom! I'd like to think the RAF would know about supersonic aircraft in our airspace?”
by TheJonesta
Friday, January 20 2012, 7:18PM
“It worried all my chickens and they layed premature eggs. My wife stopped knitting and it caused the dog to howl none stop for a few minutes. It made a right blinking mess. the amount of newspaper i needed to wipe it all up. Not to mention the soot falling down my chimney.”
by Me_Out_Here
Friday, January 20 2012, 4:42PM
“No No No, It was I. I had just finished a plate of Beans on Toast and...........
I am so embarrassed that it has caused so much trouble.........
Give it 5 mins :-)”
by SavSquirrel
Friday, January 20 2012, 4:10PM
“I apologise too everybody but it was me, I'd finished my Walkers ready salted crisps and couldn't help it, it was immature i know, I blew the packet it up smashed my hand against it.
Normally it doesn't cause this much fuss but I should've know it wasn't safe with the 'Grab a Bag'.
Can't apologise enough I have learnt my lesson”
by Glynnyboy
Friday, January 20 2012, 3:59PM
“Sorry to get your juices flowing folks but also have a look at ... Ufo or Secret military aircraft on you tube , thanks”