View Full Version : West Freugh Closure!
donaldson996
28th Mar 2002, 20:21
Just a quick thanks to all who phoned thanking West Freugh for the service over the last 60 odd years. I bet Linton and to a lesser extent valley will miss us. No more **** ups (sorry night stops) in Postpatrick. Out of interest what will happen if someone has a problem on the West coast? The MOD might end up regretting letting us go if someone has a problem in the area and is looking for somewhere to land! £3.5 million a year might not seem much if a fast jet was lost in the area!
Green Bottle
28th Mar 2002, 21:27
Well that ******s up 16 Bde's Exercise programme!!
Dogstar
28th Mar 2002, 23:09
What a huge shame. Many memorable night stops, a couple of dets and a few lunch stops (not to mention the odd scotch pie!!). What a brilliant change from landaways to RAF bases Is this a definate closure, if so when will it happen?
Green Bottle: West Freugh go in to care and maintenace shouldn't effect the exercise plot, as we can still re-activate WF, just the same way we go to Sculthorpe, Keevil, Watton, Hullavington etc.. .. .Best bit is, as "safety staff" we still egt to live down in the Crown, Port Patrick. Yipee!. .. .But I do agree it is a small cost for a nice little airfield that serves a useful purpose as a div.. .. .See you all in July on Ex EAGLES STRIKE (or have I just given away vital information to the enemy???). .. .MATZ
Green Bottle
28th Mar 2002, 23:23
Excellent,. .. .So does that mean no more extortionate landing fees etc. One government agency ripping off another budget and the like.
donaldson996
28th Mar 2002, 23:59
well said!!!
WasteofSpace
29th Mar 2002, 19:54
Is the range closing or just the airfield? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" />
donaldson996
29th Mar 2002, 21:20
Just the airfield is closing. most of the staff are being kept on to keep the range up and running. I really don't think that QuinetiQ really know what the are going to do with the place yet but they seem to think that the range can still be used. I guess its just watch this space for the moment.
Chilli Monster
29th Mar 2002, 23:22
Donny. .. .Drop me an e-mail with what everyone's doing. How long before we can't get you on the phones.. .. .The big question - are you getting your course next year now <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . .. .CM
solotk
2nd Apr 2002, 22:58
Just out of interest, does anyone know if there are any old aircraft wreck targets still extant on the range there?
Tony
Genghis the Engineer
14th Apr 2002, 17:08
The range is a bay, it seems unlikely.
I had many happy outings to the Freugh whilst a Trials Officer at BDN, and it was a very useful facility. I can't for the life of me see the logic in closing the airfield and keeping the range open - there were always a lot of benefits in a protracted trial of being right on top of everything - presumably a/c will now be based at Warton?
My complements to the staff there for the service we used to get when I was involved.
G
Droopy
14th Apr 2002, 20:20
Genghis; you may know something I don't but there's simply no space at Warton with all the other developments going on. Allegedly.
Genghis the Engineer
15th Apr 2002, 18:50
Nah, I'm an exile to the happy grounds of civil aviation who simply looks round the door from time to time.
I just assumed that Warton was the nearest place likely to have the infrastructure to operate a weaponed-up trials aircraft and support team. If not there, then where?
G
Vectoredthrust
16th Apr 2002, 08:42
Valley is an option although not best suited for contractors.
I have also spent many happy detachments to Wet Freugh over the years. We always had good service and it was always popular (especially the Crown) with engineers and aircrew. Thanks for all your help.
VT
Genghis the Engineer
16th Apr 2002, 12:58
VF, do I take it that you were either a TP or a Trials Officer? Just wondering if we may have done any trials there together. I was mostly up there on Jag work between 93-96.
Vectoredthrust
16th Apr 2002, 15:01
GtE (I assume you mean VT not VF) I was a FTE with BAE (nom de plume gives a clue as to a/c type) and visted the Freugh regularly 82-91 and 97,98. Used to work on Jags 79-81 though.
Now in civvy mode, for my sins.
Genghis the Engineer
16th Apr 2002, 16:02
Sounds like we failed to crossover. Mind you I don't think we ever had much to do with Warton FT, most of my advice came from Aerodynamics because we usually got dumped with the jobs (like CRV-7) that Warton didn't want to do itself so deliberately priced themselves out of the market.
G
GhostWhoWalks
16th Apr 2002, 21:27
Excellent range! Great support team! It worked! I'm not surprised. :(