View Full Version : The Future of RAF Scampton
Vulcannav
27th Nov 2008, 19:34
Latest rumours indicate that RAF Scampton will close in 2014. Can anyone
add any details?
SirToppamHat
27th Nov 2008, 19:44
I think you need to do a search. There were a couple of threads on here recently following the news.
STH
spheroid
27th Nov 2008, 20:58
About bloomin time..... How on earth the RAF can justify an entire airbase to house 9 second line aircraft is beyond me.... Scampton is a complete boondoggle and should be closed right now.
exscribbler
27th Nov 2008, 23:07
Yes, do that and put the money towards a carrier... :E
http://www.terrane.co.uk/ProdImg/EB6514_1_Large.jpg (javascript:popUp('imageFull.asp?ImageName=EB6514_1_Zoom.jpg ',470,570,'no'))
Can't Hover
28th Nov 2008, 10:27
If Scampton did exist purely for the Reds it would indeed be quite an extravagance. However Scampton doubles as the Relief Landing Ground for RAF Cranwell and the many training aircraft stationed there: the Cranwell circuit hasn't the capacity to fulfill all the training requirements of such a large number of aircraft so Scampton is used to provide and extra circuit area.
FCWhippingBoy
28th Nov 2008, 11:52
I must be part of the Reds if they are the only thing at Scampton :confused: That being the case, have I been turning up to the wrong building for the last 3 and a bit years? :ugh:
Contrary to popular belief, there are a couple of other units that got stranded here when the A6 "lets do Scampton, no Leeming" debacle happenned!
Latest "plan" is that the Reds will move to Waddington by 2011, and the CRC/1ACC will be moving to Coningsby by 2014.
I have no idea what plans there are for MMU.
Op_Twenty
28th Nov 2008, 18:27
Surprised that we havn't closed it already, we've closed everything else havn't we?
Pure Pursuit
28th Nov 2008, 22:03
Now, if anyone dares to ask if there is enough money to move the Reds...
spheroid
29th Nov 2008, 07:49
However Scampton doubles as the Relief Landing Ground for RAF Cranwell
Please....! Come on boys.... I'm sure you can justify this folly better than "its a relief landing ground"
Why does Cranwell need a relief landing ground? How many times last week was Scampton used as a relief landing ground..?
As for the cost....it will be cheaper to move 9 aircraft to another base rather than keep this one open
Lancelot37
29th Nov 2008, 09:49
>> Surprised that we havn't closed it already, we've closed everything else havn't we? <<
This pathetic Labour Government will close down this country.
spheroid
29th Nov 2008, 21:02
No they won't but the sooner they close down useless airfields the better
Tim McLelland
30th Nov 2008, 13:33
As mentioned, this topic's been covered in previous threads. RAFAT are moving to Waddington. The timescale seems open to question - my hunch is that they might well move by the end of next year as accommodation has supposedly been under construction for many months already.
Pure Pursuit
30th Nov 2008, 18:05
Tim,
your 'hunch' is way out, as is the accommodation rumour. Accommodation of the a/c is a far bigger issue than that of the personnel.
The reds are going to have to be dragged across to Waddo & it won't be next year!
L J R
30th Nov 2008, 20:11
So if the Reds go to Waddo, where will the Reapers go, and what about those other twin turbo things that have attracted a little banter of late, least of all the RC-135s...
Tim McLelland
30th Nov 2008, 21:52
Well maybe my hunch will be wrong, but all I know is that it's Jase Hawker that said this, so I'm inclined to stick with my hunch, thanks all the same;)
midsomerjambo
2nd Dec 2008, 15:43
If it does close, does that mean the A15 will have to be straightened? If so, good news to all the Roman engineers who can stop spinning in their graves :ok:
goudie
2nd Dec 2008, 16:08
If they straighten the road it will render the station badge obsolete. The bow represents the bend in the road and the arrow is the Vulcan. I was led to believe it was designed by the Wg. Co. Admin when the station re-opened in '58.
Roadster280
2nd Dec 2008, 16:14
But then there wouldn't be a station, and so no need for a badge....
aw ditor
2nd Dec 2008, 16:19
Thought parts of Scampton were "listed"?
Tim McLelland
2nd Dec 2008, 16:21
This matter came-up some time back. As far as anyone can determine, there are no plans to adjust the A15, regardless of the airfield's status. There was an urban myth buzzing around that suggested the MoD would be obliged to finance the re-routing of the road if they abandoned the station, hence their reluctance to leave. But there doesn't seem to be a shred of evidence to support the notion.
adminblunty
2nd Dec 2008, 18:49
Spheriod, RLG, oh please. What about Waddington, Coningsby, Barkston Heath, Cottesmore, Wittering.
Roland Pulfrew
2nd Dec 2008, 19:07
adminblunty
Brilliant. Good joke! It is a joke? :uhoh: Isn't it??? :\
philrigger
3rd Dec 2008, 08:27
;)
I believe that the Reds are due to move into the hangar that has already been vacated by the Regt Sqn.
Not sure when but I believe it to be by next summer.
Pure Pursuit
3rd Dec 2008, 15:03
Chatting to the RAFAT techies in the mess, it would appear that the regt hangar is not suitable for purpose. Plans are being drawn up for a 'new' hangar, no doubt at great cost, hence the likelyhood that the team will not move next year.
Either way, they are not in a rush to go!
The A15 issue will not come up as the unit will be going into care & maint with RAFAT still operating overhead several times a day.
pr00ne
3rd Dec 2008, 16:28
Hangar at Waddington not suitable?
Isn't it IDENTICAL to the one they currently occupy at Scampton?????
Roadster280
3rd Dec 2008, 16:56
Care & Maint?
How about actually exercising some "care" and performing some "maint" this time :)
Pr00ne,
No, it is not identical - it's on the other side of the airfield, near the A15.
Tim McLelland
3rd Dec 2008, 18:15
That's gotta be today's smile - a hangar that isn't suitable. A shed is a shed...:p
That's gotta be today's smile - a hangar that isn't suitable. A shed is a shed...:p
That's what the kipper fleet guys thought when they tried towing an MR2 into a Lossiemouth hanger during Bolthole way back in the late 80's.
The hangars at Kinloss and Lossiemouth look the same, but Kinloss has a cutout to stop the canoe being ripped off, Lossiemouth doesn't.:O
Pure Pursuit
4th Dec 2008, 07:10
Same size, same colour however...
The integrity of the building is what they were talking about. Might be complete bollox mind you, the guy who told me was wearing a blue flying suit. Call the fashion police! :eek:
SirPercyWare-Armitag
4th Dec 2008, 07:35
Not just about a "useless" airfield though is it? Cant keep closing down airfields and moving people and kit into "superbases" when there is insufficient infrastructure to support.
Scampton shouldn't close until Waddington and Coningsby are given extra Mess and Married quarters to compensate for the influx of personnel :=
Scampton shouldn't close until Waddington and Coningsby are given extra Mess and Married quarters to compensate for the influx of personnel :=
Families Quarters are not much of an Issue with Scampton,as most of them have been sold, many years ago.
spheroid
4th Dec 2008, 19:26
Scampton shouldn't close until Waddington and Coningsby are given extra Mess and Married quarters to compensate for the influx of personnel
Sod that....they can go out and buy their own house the same as everyone else has to.