Help wanted airfield location
 

Can anyone recognize the airfield where this pic (taken from the internet - credit to the unknown photographer) was taken? It is maybe 1983 whre Hunter T.7 XL600 belonges to the RAF Laarbruch Station Flight!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....4b71abd043.jpg

Looks like Prestwick?

Don't know how the tower looked like in the 80s but it seems to be different ...!?

It's definitely not Prestwick. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Back again! I'm pretty sure it's Newcastle, have a close look on Google Earth.

Hello RAFG

Looks like Newcastle Airport , as I remember 99% sure , just google " Newcastle Airport Our History " and see old b/w image ,
can't link still less > 10 posts

regards TFC

Does look like it.....good spot.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....017a6975c.jpeg

Agreed, it is Newcastle UK. NCL EGNT

What I remember from that era was that the hunters from 1 TWU went to Newcastle to act as MFF during an exercise - and pissed them off by leaving tramline groves in the taxiways from their pan to the runway.....

Looks like they haven't painted the buildings since the 1983 picture was taken........... :eek:

I was trying to figure out why Laarbruch would have had Hunter(s) but then I remembered that Laarbruch was Buccaneers and at Honington we had Hunters also except in camo paint scheme, Hunters were utilised for training crews on to Buccaneers.

One significant difference though, the Buccaneer was built like a brick toilet and could take the fast end arrester gear, the Hunter wasn't and could only take the slow end gear except that one day a pilot forgot that!

by leaving tramline groves in the taxiways

I presume that you mean damage caused by the gear and, if so, I am a bit surprised as the Hunter was not known for being harsh on taxiways/runways etc. In my 8 yerrs of flying this lovely aircraft and operating out of numerous bases I never experienced this.

HW Can you clarify your last post re 'arrester gear'? The RAF Hunters never had hooks so there was never an issue over which RHAG/PUAG to take. Do you mean the arrester barrier? Once again. for obvious reasons. the overrun barrier could have been the only option. I only know of one approach end barrier engagement and that was survived due to the brute strength of the F4. The subsequent circuit (at night) was quite spectacular due to the light show caused by the shredding bits of barrier being burnt by the F4's reheat. Why they didn't eject is another story.

Hunter T Mk8 for Navy had `ooks,but only for runway arrester gear...

Slightly confused here. Presumably the F4 in question was the Phantom not the Hunter F4?

My apologies. It was indeed an FGR2 Phantom of 92Sqn returning at night from Ramstein. The approach end barrier was unintentionally up and was 'arrested' by the undercarriage. The pilot, not realising what had happened, understandably reacted by selecting full burner to go round thus uprooting the whole barrier and carting it airborne into the night sky. Ejection was considered but.from what I recall. was discounted because the nav had a whole load of Hi-fi that he had just bought at the Ramstein BX on his lap. So the Hi-Fi probably saved an aicraft..

Thanks nipva. Quite a story. Could have been a very expensive hi-fi!

Was it a Bang and Outsen?

One more time looking for the location and for the date of these Jags of IISqn RAF Laarbruch. Photo from the internet, photographer unknown,
Bloodhounds in the background. Number Tailscode were used from July 1980 on. Anyone an idea?
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....05ebe22da8.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....d5135a2de4.jpg

maybe Wattisham?
C-Flight of 25Sqn (former Laarbruch) moved over in Oct.1981. Were the Bloodhounds built up there again?