Kinloss - partial reprieve?
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We're now well below "critical mass" so therefore have no resiliency or redundancy in terms of airfields, aircraft, aircrew, groundcrew, etc. Each and every "slice" is now a cut in capability.
In the case of Lossie/KSS I'd guess that the long term requirement for another runway in that area has just become a whole lot more real with the closure of (RAF) Leuchars; hence the attempt to not fully close off all options - for now at least.
Longer term I'd expect KSS to drift off into history (as an airfield) once the safety case is either "revised" or binned altogether.
Sad times, as we all know.
In the case of Lossie/KSS I'd guess that the long term requirement for another runway in that area has just become a whole lot more real with the closure of (RAF) Leuchars; hence the attempt to not fully close off all options - for now at least.
Longer term I'd expect KSS to drift off into history (as an airfield) once the safety case is either "revised" or binned altogether.
Sad times, as we all know.
So tell me Finningley Boy, from where this pearl comes from?
If, however, the current GR4s are to remain at Lossiemouth and make a home for 3 squadrons of Typhoons as well, I'd have thought that a bit of a squeeze? Likewise, the idea of moving 2 more squadrons and an OCU into Marham in addition, would also be quite a shoehorning exercise.
I certainly don't think if the latter two scenarios are true that the Government has service personnel's interests at heart. I imagine the there'd be little room for all those involved. And certainly, Leuchars should not close if that were the case. Andrewn's comments are spot on, but again, money and politics are what its all about. I'm sure the army are looking forward to days ahead on the links at St. Andrews and the Universities to the pending mix of young squaddies and young female students!
FB
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I'm sure the army are looking forward to days ahead on the links at St. Andrews and the Universities to the pending mix of young squaddies and young female students!
FB, I think you missed the point earlier.
Leuchars as a weather or crash div will still negate the chance of roller training for OCU students as the FoG required for LUK is too high and the fuel weight causes problems for roller landings. Did you think I meant they wanted to do roller training at KSS?
Far too trivial a consideration for SDSR, but a vital one nonetheless.
I don't recall seeing in SDSR where it says that the Lossie GR4 wing will move to Marham.
Lossie airfield could quite easily absorb 3 more sqns. Whether the infra could or not is another matter.
Leuchars as a weather or crash div will still negate the chance of roller training for OCU students as the FoG required for LUK is too high and the fuel weight causes problems for roller landings. Did you think I meant they wanted to do roller training at KSS?
Far too trivial a consideration for SDSR, but a vital one nonetheless.
I don't recall seeing in SDSR where it says that the Lossie GR4 wing will move to Marham.
Lossie airfield could quite easily absorb 3 more sqns. Whether the infra could or not is another matter.
Last edited by just another jocky; 6th Aug 2011 at 20:13. Reason: spooling
JAJ,
I'm sure it has been stated that the GR4s will be concentrated at Marham, I'll bow to greater knowledge, but there are so many versions and takes on this SDSR saga that its sometimes difficult to grasp exactly what has been said, implied and cryptically hinted at. In my honest opinion, if the GR4s are remaining at Lossiemouth anyway, I'd leave the Typhoons at Leuchars. Its frankly absurd that there isn't room in the resources of this country to maintain 4 operating bases and deploy units rather more rationally instead of squeezing everything onto as few bases as possible.
Not a good idea, especially if the odd one out is to be turned into an Assualt course and Tank park!
FB
I'm sure it has been stated that the GR4s will be concentrated at Marham, I'll bow to greater knowledge, but there are so many versions and takes on this SDSR saga that its sometimes difficult to grasp exactly what has been said, implied and cryptically hinted at. In my honest opinion, if the GR4s are remaining at Lossiemouth anyway, I'd leave the Typhoons at Leuchars. Its frankly absurd that there isn't room in the resources of this country to maintain 4 operating bases and deploy units rather more rationally instead of squeezing everything onto as few bases as possible.
Not a good idea, especially if the odd one out is to be turned into an Assualt course and Tank park!
FB
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PIK, Yes, Prestwick is an option but they now frequently add the requirement for Mil aircraft to arrive with 20 mins holding fuel. Fully IAW with civvy rules but a crippler for mil aircraft that have v little fuel to begin with.
This is turning into a good scheme! Lets open up the airfields at Tain, West Freugh, Kinloss, Turnhouse, Montrose, Renfrew and Wick, kick the civvies out of Prestwick and Abbotsinch making them R.A.F. and F.A.A. again and divert all civvy flights to Leuchars!
Now what to do with Lossiemouth!?!
FB
Now what to do with Lossiemouth!?!FB
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Jim
True, but Hawks don't need a RHAG and generally dont carry lots of whizzybang stuff. Then you'll need somewhere secure to park them overnight, Kinloss has a load of sheds avbl for that with some blokes on the front gate with shooters. Instant support network at Kinloss, much faffing at Inverness, who will also no doubt charge. If the divertees are carrying directional ordnance there are plenty of safety arcs avbl in the north woods, with dog patrols.
Why not move some GR4's to Kinloss and just bus the crews over each day?
St Kinloss, anyone?
True, but Hawks don't need a RHAG and generally dont carry lots of whizzybang stuff. Then you'll need somewhere secure to park them overnight, Kinloss has a load of sheds avbl for that with some blokes on the front gate with shooters. Instant support network at Kinloss, much faffing at Inverness, who will also no doubt charge. If the divertees are carrying directional ordnance there are plenty of safety arcs avbl in the north woods, with dog patrols.
Why not move some GR4's to Kinloss and just bus the crews over each day?
St Kinloss, anyone?
Originally Posted by Finningley Boy
This is turning into a good scheme! Lets open up the airfields at Tain, West Freugh, Kinloss, Turnhouse, Montrose, Renfrew and Wick, kick the civvies out of Prestwick and Abbotsinch making them R.A.F. and F.A.A. again and divert all civvy flights to Leuchars!
Now what to do with Lossiemouth!?!
Now what to do with Lossiemouth!?!Join Date: Aug 2004
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Here's a thought.....
If you are having to keep the airfield open anyway, you could base some brand new maritime patrol aircraft there, say the new Nimrod MRA4......oh, wait a minute.......
