Farewell "RAF Kinloss" - end of an era.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: UK
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First posted to Kinloss in 2006, PVR'd in 2012. Only frontline posting but surely the best there is to have. happily employed outside now but miss the crew spirit, banter and laughs and it's such a shame to see so many people got rid of before their time. Why couldn't they have called it 'Nimrod Barracks'?
Power to the Hunter.
Power to the Hunter.
Alba Gu Brath
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Merseyside
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First tour as a wet behind the ears LAC. Whilst it was never the busiest airfield in the RAF it was certainly one of the most interesting. Frequently felt that the station was actually doing something rather than just training for something that would never happen, whether it was SAR, fisheries patrol or sub hunting.
Add to the mix a very suitable local tavern in the shape of the Crown & Anchor and you had a very enjoyable two years for a young chap.
Farewell RAF Kinloss. It was fun.
Add to the mix a very suitable local tavern in the shape of the Crown & Anchor and you had a very enjoyable two years for a young chap.
Farewell RAF Kinloss. It was fun.
My tours at Kinloss were briefly on 206sqn.(Soggie Goss's crew) followed by Trg Sqn in the Sim then 120sqn. with the VR all as AEOp. Called it a day in 94 as it was interfering with my bidline bids and costing too much. We bought our first house in Wyvis Drive in Nairn and my (then new)better half transferred from Big European Airways at LHR to Scottish (Jock)Airways -Highland Division in Glasgow and commuted home to Inverness most evenings. I also lived at Waterbeach in the fifties as a youngster when it had all sorts of wonderful machinery which probably started my interest in all things with wings - and I learned to fish and row in and on the Cam.
On reflection, lovely countryside, lovely distilleries, some great trips, fun while it lasted and above everything some really good colleagues and lasting friendships.
On reflection, lovely countryside, lovely distilleries, some great trips, fun while it lasted and above everything some really good colleagues and lasting friendships.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Fife
Age: 87
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During yesterday's golf in St Andrews, we were entertained by a couple of fly-bys by the Red Arrows, once as a big 10, then as 2 vics of 5; they then landed at Leuchars, I think.
I wondered whether they had been up for a flypast at the Kinloss closure, but have seen no mention of them in the news; anyone know why they were here?
I wondered whether they had been up for a flypast at the Kinloss closure, but have seen no mention of them in the news; anyone know why they were here?
"120" early sixties, Mk3 Phase2 grossly underpowered at Max. AUW and Griffon 57 unreliable', Big Harry, Pop Gladstone of Culloden fame, Courtney Mil's father as a great Boss', Winter of 63/64 diesel freezing in tanks, the Angel's dram from the then open Forres distillery, Cuban problem in 62', etc.etc.etc. ......... .
I hope the Pongo Engineers don't wreck it!
I hope the Pongo Engineers don't wreck it!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Australia
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First posting after training, spent a total of 11 years at Kinloss flying and a ground tour. Most interesting flying , most professional aviators, and some of the best times of my life.
A real shame to see RAF Kinloss go, and good luck for the future to everyone who served there.
Y_G
A real shame to see RAF Kinloss go, and good luck for the future to everyone who served there.
Y_G
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Royal Engineers
It seems like a fitting change of ownership, to the Royal Engineers, from whose loins the Royal Air Force was spurned many years ago.
Tam Macklin
Tam Macklin
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Went to Kinloss in 1969 on first posting just as Nimrods and the 'super techs' were arriving. Got a lift home in a Ballykelly Shack for my Christmas leave. Happy memories indeed.
Kinloss was also my first operational station when I arrived on 201 Squadron in 1973. I only did 6 years on the Kipper fleet all on 201 but they were the best years. Will always remember the friendliness of the station and the local community. Perhaps it was its remoteness that made it so. So sad that it is no longer RAF Kinloss. God speed to all those that are moving on to other stations.
Join Date: Oct 2009
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The MFC and VGS are probably under discussion. Hopefully they'll go to inverness.
The Kinloss runway and northern taxiways and apron are staying open so that Kinloss can be used as an emergency landing ground for Lossie based aircraft, with ATC staffed, when Lossie are flying, by Lossie controllers.
Join Date: Jun 2007
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The Kinloss runway and northern taxiways and apron are staying open so that Kinloss can be used as an emergency landing ground for Lossie based aircraft, with ATC staffed, when Lossie are flying, by Lossie controllers.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SALISBURY
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I did numerous detachments to Kinloss in the 70s, 80s & early 90s. Fortunately I only did one tour, 206 from 72-75. I still have my car sticker " Happiness is Kinloss in my rear view mirror". True then & still true today.