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G7 Cornwall: Plane spotters report aircraft flying visits

Duncan Scobie Globemaster cargo planeDuncan Scobie
A US Air Force Globemaster cargo plane arrives in Cornwall ahead of the G7

Photographers and aircraft spotters have reported seeing a variety of planes and helicopters over Cornwall as the UK prepares to host the G7 summit.

Aircraft from the United States in particular have been in the skies above the county.

They have been seen landing at RNAS Culdrose, Newquay Airport, Carlyon Bay and St Michael's Mount, Penzance.

Onlookers admitted "some excitement" at the activity, with one reporting a sight they "never thought I'd see".

Among the aircraft seen have been Boeing C-17 Globemaster planes, at Culdrose, near Helston.

Kai Greet Sikorsky VH-3D helicopter in Globemaster cargo plane.Kai Greet
A US Air Force Globemaster delivers a Sikorsky VH-3D helicopter, which would be Marine One if Joe Biden were on board
Kai Greet Sikorsky VH-3D helicopter at RNAS CuldroseKai Greet
A Sikorsky VH-3D helicopter being tested in the air at RNAS Culdrose after being delivered by plane
Kai Greet V-22 OspreyKai Greet
The V-22 Ospreys are expected to accompany Marine One

The US Air Force Globemasters have been seen unloading Sikorsky VH-3D helicopters from the US Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), whose aircraft carry the American president, which has the call sign Marine One when the president is on board.

Other helicopters seen have included British Chinooks and V-22 Ospreys, also from the US.

The Chinooks have also been seen flying around the county's coast.

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Bex Yearworth tweeted the BBC about "some excitement" on Monday night in Mounts Bay as US helicopters "appeared to do a rehearsal landing on St Michael's Mount" off Marazion.

She added: "I'm not sure I'm going to get much work done in the next few days when this is the view from my desk" after viewing another landing on the mount on Tuesday morning.

Photographer Kai Greet, on observing a flight of two Sikorskys and three Ospreys on a familiarisation flight on Monday evening, said they had seen a sight that they "never thought I'd see".

Fellow photographer Duncan Scobie, who lives near Culdrose, said he was interested in the aircraft because "I love the shape and form. I'm in awe of engineering, it makes me happy."

American aircraft have also been seen flying into and around Exeter over the past few days, a police helicopter pilot tweeted, saying they had an "impressive arrival".

Duncan Scobie Chinook helicopterDuncan Scobie
British Chinook helicopters have also been seen flying around Cornwall's coast

The G7 summit is being held in Carbis Bay from 11 to 13 June.

The UK, US, Germany, France, Canada, Italy and Japan make up the G7, with leaders from Australia, India, South Korea and the EU also attending.

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