The Bastards Closed all the Best Bases.
oldpax
Loved my 2.5 years on 204, about the same time.
Not mentioned yet, Wyton, magic posting, 51, 58, and 543, one happy station in the 60's/ 70's.
Regards,Den.
Not many replies wanting RAF Ballykelly opened then!!
Not mentioned yet, Wyton, magic posting, 51, 58, and 543, one happy station in the 60's/ 70's.
Regards,Den.
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Farnborough was a great little number. Living out with normal people, low numbers, relaxed atmosphere and none of that military silliness to get in the way.
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Now, not wanting to be too controversial (well maybe a little bit) I would like to suggest St Athan. It's only been mentioned a couple of times in this thread and not in a good light. It was a very interesting place to be back in the 80's and (early) 90's. Back in those days it was a "centre of excellence" and conducted 3rd line maintenance on virtually every aircraft in the RAF inventory. Not only that but St Athan contained the workshops of the RAF and could manufacture many items that couldn't be obtained off the shelf.
Together with the fact the area is beautiful with numerous decent country pubs in the vicinity.
Together with the fact the area is beautiful with numerous decent country pubs in the vicinity.
Stargazing
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Keep: Coltishall - the RAF at its best. Hereford - lovely area, great Officers' Mess, super mess staff who'd been there for ages and always seemed cheerful and helpful.
Lose: High Wycombe - misery central. Very few people wanted to be there. See comments on Hereford staff and reverse them........
Lose: High Wycombe - misery central. Very few people wanted to be there. See comments on Hereford staff and reverse them........
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Google Earth
Try loading the RAF Stations.kmz to Google Earth and have an OMG moment to how many RAF Stations have existed
Coltishall - best in UK
Bruggen - Best overseas
Worst - Valley (everything), Halton (Admin & support staff) & Locking (courses only, totally unhelpful staff)
Then there was Binbrook
Brilliant in it's awfulness
HH2
Coltishall - best in UK
Bruggen - Best overseas
Worst - Valley (everything), Halton (Admin & support staff) & Locking (courses only, totally unhelpful staff)
Then there was Binbrook
Brilliant in it's awfulness HH2
Last edited by Hammer Head Too; 7th Mar 2013 at 14:09.
When it was RAF St Athan, it was always interesting working with the Twin Peaks teams at Scrapheap Challenge to sort out VC10K air tests. There was usually a reason to spend the night there, then trudge down to the Bovvy Castle for the odd tincture and a bite to eat - when their kitchen was closed they didn't even mind us bringing something in from the chippy on the opposite side of the road.
But as a choice for flight testing large aircraft, St. Athan wasn't brilliant. Poor weather factor, no approach aids (then), short runway, no de-icing and blacktop priority for the camp roads, rather than the RW....
One of the last parts of the air test was to drop the ELRAT, after which you had to be on the ground within 10 min (for ELRAT blade fatigue reasons). If weather was marginal, this gave one an excuse to drop down to VMC over the Bristol Channel, find the Nash Point light, go right hand down a bit to find the airfield and confirm you could get in visually. Then out over the Channel again, a quick extended pattern to drop the ELRAT and get the chaps to check the output, then turn back in and land. Happy times - but what a daft place to use for testing VC10s!
OM 'transit' accommodation was pretty dank though - I once encountered the visiting CFS trappers at breakfast in a pretty black mood after they'd spent a miserbly uncomfortable night there. "At least the day can only get better", one chap said "It's always good to visit UWAS - it's a very happy and well-run squadron!".
Regarding Valley, I rather enjoyed it back in 1975. There was only one road bridge over the Menai Straits and no dual carriageway on the island, so hardly anyone ventured far. Thus it was something like an overseas tour for we students - much of the TV was in a foreign language, devoid of vowels. The Gnat course was hard work, holding in the summer and then the Hunter refresher course was brilliant. I went back to do a Hawk refresher in 1980 and it was still fun!
In the Astra (remember those?) we were waiting for the film to start when the National Anthem played - and some locals (this was long before barriers, gates etc.) decided that they wouldn't stand up, let alone to attention. Whereupon Jones-the-flicks, stopped the music and gave them a loud dressing-down in Welsh...they sheepishly stood up and events continued. Splendid chap - as was Jones-the-motor, who supplied me with the critical MG Midget throttle cable I needed so that I could drive to England for Easter.
What exactly was it about Valley that made so many people hate it?
But as a choice for flight testing large aircraft, St. Athan wasn't brilliant. Poor weather factor, no approach aids (then), short runway, no de-icing and blacktop priority for the camp roads, rather than the RW....
One of the last parts of the air test was to drop the ELRAT, after which you had to be on the ground within 10 min (for ELRAT blade fatigue reasons). If weather was marginal, this gave one an excuse to drop down to VMC over the Bristol Channel, find the Nash Point light, go right hand down a bit to find the airfield and confirm you could get in visually. Then out over the Channel again, a quick extended pattern to drop the ELRAT and get the chaps to check the output, then turn back in and land. Happy times - but what a daft place to use for testing VC10s!
OM 'transit' accommodation was pretty dank though - I once encountered the visiting CFS trappers at breakfast in a pretty black mood after they'd spent a miserbly uncomfortable night there. "At least the day can only get better", one chap said "It's always good to visit UWAS - it's a very happy and well-run squadron!".
Regarding Valley, I rather enjoyed it back in 1975. There was only one road bridge over the Menai Straits and no dual carriageway on the island, so hardly anyone ventured far. Thus it was something like an overseas tour for we students - much of the TV was in a foreign language, devoid of vowels. The Gnat course was hard work, holding in the summer and then the Hunter refresher course was brilliant. I went back to do a Hawk refresher in 1980 and it was still fun!
In the Astra (remember those?) we were waiting for the film to start when the National Anthem played - and some locals (this was long before barriers, gates etc.) decided that they wouldn't stand up, let alone to attention. Whereupon Jones-the-flicks, stopped the music and gave them a loud dressing-down in Welsh...they sheepishly stood up and events continued. Splendid chap - as was Jones-the-motor, who supplied me with the critical MG Midget throttle cable I needed so that I could drive to England for Easter.
What exactly was it about Valley that made so many people hate it?
Last edited by BEagle; 7th Mar 2013 at 14:27.
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Airfield Camp Belize - Run by the pongos - NOT GOOD
Edit: As I remember Charlie /Delta dis had their own pet parrot and we had two pet dogs, Pedro and Griswald.
Last edited by thing; 7th Mar 2013 at 14:24.
The Bastards Closed all the Best Bases
Judging by the extended period of the closures lamented by the many nostalgic posters, there are clearly a lot of "bastards" about ....
Jack
Jack
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Although, in other ways I am quite normal, I had a great time at Marham and would not like to see it go. I would also vote for Little Rissington (The holy hill) and Horsham St Faith which was ideally placed for Norwich before it got cars and lots of new houses.
Lindholme....for number 2 mess.
''I know it is a bit early Geordie, but are you open to a thirsty Flying Officer?''
''To you sir, yes sir, but could you drink it somewhere the station commander will not see it when he pops in for his fags in a few mins!''
''I know it is a bit early Geordie, but are you open to a thirsty Flying Officer?''
''To you sir, yes sir, but could you drink it somewhere the station commander will not see it when he pops in for his fags in a few mins!''
Having previously disrespected St Athan, the picture painted suddenly brought into mind my stint on the gate one disco night. 3 coachloads of scantily clad women who excelled in close harmony singing attempting to remove my clothes while I signed them in.
Keep it open.
Keep it open.
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It is not just the RAF that closes all the good ones - the Luftwaffe is closing Lechfeld as of 31 March this year 
(for those that don't know, a handy land away for Oktoberfest and the mountains)
The Royal Bavarian Air Force is getting smaller too....
(for those that don't know, a handy land away for Oktoberfest and the mountains)The Royal Bavarian Air Force is getting smaller too....
Did I see a previous post for Colerne ? Mega place to have "got some in", I will never, ever, forget OC Admin (Wg Cdr) insisting that ID be carried at all times "on base". He got arrested and locked in the guardroom cells at least twice for doing his nightly jog, on camp, sans 1250.
Last edited by smujsmith; 7th Mar 2013 at 17:57.
BEagle
I think you'll probably find there are quite a few people who actually did like Valley, it's just not cool to admit to it in public apparently!
Not including time spent as a student, I spend five years there between 2007-2012 and had a great time. I can understand why young single blokes, or those with significant others in Southern England, weren't especially keen but few other RAF bases offer the outdoor opportunities and Chester and other civilzation is only just over an hour away.
I should also add that it has changed a lot in the last decade so if people's opinions are based on the Valley of a bygone era then they may be surprised with how it is now.
Besides, I have to stick up for the place since Mrs BV is a local!
BV
Not including time spent as a student, I spend five years there between 2007-2012 and had a great time. I can understand why young single blokes, or those with significant others in Southern England, weren't especially keen but few other RAF bases offer the outdoor opportunities and Chester and other civilzation is only just over an hour away.
I should also add that it has changed a lot in the last decade so if people's opinions are based on the Valley of a bygone era then they may be surprised with how it is now.
Besides, I have to stick up for the place since Mrs BV is a local!
BV
Teetering Head sed:
".. as I'm sure you know Rigga, the airfield is still ours and used as an RLG by Shawbury rotary and also houses 632 VGS.
The "Station" is now Clive (of India?) Barracks; and the first thing the pongoes did was ruin the proportions of the Officers' Mess by demolishing the wings - - makes a once wonderful Mess a most odd shape."
Yes. And after all that the IRA then blew up my old Barack Block and ruined a really historic building beyond repair - well after it should have been pulled down anyway.
".. as I'm sure you know Rigga, the airfield is still ours and used as an RLG by Shawbury rotary and also houses 632 VGS.
The "Station" is now Clive (of India?) Barracks; and the first thing the pongoes did was ruin the proportions of the Officers' Mess by demolishing the wings - - makes a once wonderful Mess a most odd shape."
Yes. And after all that the IRA then blew up my old Barack Block and ruined a really historic building beyond repair - well after it should have been pulled down anyway.
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Keep
Leuchars, but only in the summer. Winter? I'd rather move to Norway. Warmer, less windy and the local wildlife is less scary after a few gallons of falling over juice
Lyneham, buy out the house's / hovels at the end of 24/06, divert the road thereby taking out the steep winding hill and bringing it out onto the lyne/basset road. Then extend the runway big time towards basset to improve the capacity.
Wroughton. Keep the airfield and hospital, developing the hospital into a world class major trauma centre and the airfield into a TACMED specialist airfield. Go international with the service.
Bicester, run it as a sort of Museum / Old farts drinking place. But either way it should have been kept 'whole' and restored to 1939-45 condition, used in an educational manner to educate the youth and as a memorial to the crews lost during the 1939-45 tiff.
Close
Consider closing both Brize AND Lyneham - Move both into Fairford. Sell Brize to the local pikies to use as a winter stop over. Considering the mismanagement over the years of the local planning some past and present members of the Carterton planning commitee more than deserve the shock that rumour would bring
:
Turn Lyneham into a playpark... Oh wait a mo, were already doing that...
What about Keevil? Now that would be a quiet posting
Leuchars, but only in the summer. Winter? I'd rather move to Norway. Warmer, less windy and the local wildlife is less scary after a few gallons of falling over juice
Lyneham, buy out the house's / hovels at the end of 24/06, divert the road thereby taking out the steep winding hill and bringing it out onto the lyne/basset road. Then extend the runway big time towards basset to improve the capacity.
Wroughton. Keep the airfield and hospital, developing the hospital into a world class major trauma centre and the airfield into a TACMED specialist airfield. Go international with the service.
Bicester, run it as a sort of Museum / Old farts drinking place. But either way it should have been kept 'whole' and restored to 1939-45 condition, used in an educational manner to educate the youth and as a memorial to the crews lost during the 1939-45 tiff.
Close
Consider closing both Brize AND Lyneham - Move both into Fairford. Sell Brize to the local pikies to use as a winter stop over. Considering the mismanagement over the years of the local planning some past and present members of the Carterton planning commitee more than deserve the shock that rumour would bring
:Turn Lyneham into a playpark... Oh wait a mo, were already doing that...
What about Keevil? Now that would be a quiet posting
Last edited by Always a Sapper; 7th Mar 2013 at 20:26.
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Perhaps it's just me!
Maybe it is just me - but I enjoyed my 3 years at Binbrook (76-79). Sticky, Mike Graydon, Tiger Carter et al.
Last edited by Canadian Break; 7th Mar 2013 at 21:14.