Typhoon spotting in June

[Norwester]

Hi All,
I'm visiting Yorkshire, the Lakes and touring around Scotland with my family in June this year. Before I left the UK for NZ in the late 90's, I never got to see the RAF Typhoon fly. Now, I gather with the drawdown of the Tornado, I'm much more likely to see a Typhoon flying. But where is best?

Also, are there any good GA airfields in the North of England or Scotland that I can do a dual flight so I can appreciate the differences in weather and navigation procedures?

One last thing, any good aircraft museums I should checkout in these same areas too?

Thanks for any suggestions!

[Big Eric]

Lossiemouth (near Elgin) and Coningsby (Lincolnshire) are the 2 Typhoon bases, there's plenty of activity at both during the week and both bases are excellent for viewing and photography.

[N707ZS]

Try Durham Tees Valley for your flight there are three flying schools who all do experience flights.


If you are lucky you might also see a Typhoon but no guarantee like the other two places.

[Planemike]

The three museums that immediately spring to mind are:
East Fortune http://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-flight/
Usworth (Sunderland) http://www.nelsam.org.uk/default.htm
Elvington (York)

[chevvron]

You might see the occasional Typhoon at Leeming doing a practice div.

[Harry Wayfarers]

Coningsby (Lincolnshire)

And at Coningsby you might also get to see a Lancaster, Hurricanes, Dakota, Spitfires, Chipmunks ... You know all that boring stuff that flies too slow :)

[chevvron]

Didn't know Coningsby was in Yorkshire; that's where the OP wants to do his Typhoon spotting!

[Norwester]

Some great ideas so far.

Note, I've done Coningsby before, and although it's always good to see the BBMF I'll not likely get a pass to travel South of Yorkshire again.

But a recent fascination with the TSR2 could mean a quick solo trip to Cosford. If only.

[MATELO]

I'm visiting Yorkshire, the Lakes and touring around Scotland

RAF Spadeadam is pretty much central to all that. Easy access and a good viewing area.

Not sure how much action there is these days though. :(

[Duchess_Driver]

Aeroventure at Doncaster (likely sans tiffies tho....)

[Cymmon]

Yorkshire is next to Lincolnshire, so not a problem.

[snchater]

The BBMF Lancaster is at Duxford undergoing deep maintenance with ARC.
I think it is possible to arrange a viewing.

[darkbarly]

Worth a look

MachLoop.co.uk - The Mach Loop aka Machynlleth Loop. UK Low Level Flying by RAF Aircraft and Fast Jets (http://machloop.co.uk)

[Flying Palm Tree]

Pair of Typhoons over Epping at 18.42 heading SW at approx 600ft QNH?

[SATCOS WHIPPING BOY]

If you are coming to Yorkshire then certainly give the museum at Elvington (near York) a look, there is also a WW2 museum at Eden Camp (about 10 miles east of York). You could get a flight out of Sherburn Aero Club which is not too far away and, being in Yorkshire, you can sample all four seasons in one afternoon.

As for seeing Typhoons. You may be lucky and be in the area when a pilot graduation is on at Linton. More often than not that will include a Typhoon display. Alternatively, RAF Leeming is just up the way and often has them in on short visits.

As you trek north to Scotland, spend a day around Windermere in the Lake District; it gets its share of low level jets and a very short climb can have you looking down on them as they pass (especially Dunmail Raise).

Everyone raves about the Mach-loop but this has two drawbacks. 1) It is in Wales and 2) It is in Wales. Unless you drive like a nun on her driving test you are likely to go to jail for 10 years for going .1mph over the speed limit. :-)

Hope you have a great visit.

[Harry Wayfarers]

www.hawkertyphoon.com (http://www.pprune.org/www.hawkertyphoon.com)