Defence Estate Rationalisation
3."London" UAS? At Wittering?! On that basis, expect Yorkshire UAS to go there too!
Then the squadron moved to RAF Abingdon, some 62 miles from THQ and 8 miles from Didcot railway station.
When Abingdon was pongo-ed, the squadron moved to Benson - only 47 miles from London and 9 miles from Didcot railway station.
But the next folly was to move to RAF Wyton, some 73 miles from THQ, but only 3 miles from Huntingdon railway station.
However Wittering? Wittering?? That's 90 miles up the A1 from THQ, 'close to London' only in Ryanair terms. The nearest mainline railway station is 11 miles away in Peterborough!
Now that there are only a handful of regular RAF instructors at Wyton, the rest being FTRS mercenaries, I'd be intrigued to know how many will simply hand in their boots and tell the RAF to find some other mug.....
Last edited by BEagle; 26th Mar 2013 at 16:21.
Cambridgeshire and nearby is already awash with former airfield "building sites", Oakington, Alconbury, and Waterbeach to name but three. The infrastructure is not there/here to support massive expansion. The A14 jammed on a daily basis, hospitals and schools maxed out'. Last thing needed is more houses at Wyton!!
Wander00
Really? The "tour" says that it is an urban myth and I am pretty sure that there is a bill of sale that details the purchase of the house and estate from the Rothschilds by the War Ministry. Although I do enjoy the urban myth that the RAF have to return HH to the Rothschilds in the standard that it was "sold" to us; apparently we can't afford to replace all the gold leaf that has been replaced by gold paint. 
Halton House (don't know about the estate) also reverts, in that case to the Rothschilds
The Press, Selby edition, announces that Church Fenton is to close and that Units based there, including Yorkshire University (sic) Air Squadron, will relocate to other bases. Any ideas for "other bases?" Leeming should be pretty convenient for Sheffield?
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Same with aces. Have there been any post WW2?
Canberra Gate Guard - XH 170
Just Another Jockey - Airframe has just been cleaned in preparation for a limited amount of repair (mainly tailfin as its is missing some canvas and there is some rot present). It will then be repainted by the station.
BL
BL
Top West 50,
Linton On Ouse or maybe Topcliffe, that's if they survive the next round of rationalisation that MFTS will bring about...
Kitbag,
You have just insulted the memory of many hundreds of folk killed in action since 82.
What the hell is a credible shooting war in your mind? Since 82 we have had aircrew killed when their aircraft were shot down by AA or SAM's, infantry and others killed in large numbers and many other men and women killed or maimed in what to them I'm sure seemed like pretty "credible shooting" wars.
Crass post.
Linton On Ouse or maybe Topcliffe, that's if they survive the next round of rationalisation that MFTS will bring about...
Kitbag,
You have just insulted the memory of many hundreds of folk killed in action since 82.
What the hell is a credible shooting war in your mind? Since 82 we have had aircrew killed when their aircraft were shot down by AA or SAM's, infantry and others killed in large numbers and many other men and women killed or maimed in what to them I'm sure seemed like pretty "credible shooting" wars.
Crass post.
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Given the Merlins are upping sticks from benson, one would have thought ULAS could have been put back there. Wittering? Kn*bheads...
And getting rid of Leuchars. Oh my, the memories I have of that place.
Ho hum. Back to the question bank...
And getting rid of Leuchars. Oh my, the memories I have of that place.
Ho hum. Back to the question bank...
Proone - calm down dear! Seeing as kitbag's post is about "aces" (ie. those that have 5 or more air to air kills) then he is quite correct - we have not been in a credible air to air shooting war since the Falklands. In the Gulf Wars, Bosnia and Afghanistan the enemy simply haven't fronted up in opposing fighter aircraft.
All - Halton House and the Halton Park estate was bought freehold for £114k in 1918 and so it is ours - no strings attached. That said, the House is listed, as is Henderson Parade Square and its buildings, so you can't do too much to it. The Rothschilds hated Halton House and couldn't wait to get rid of it - it was an austentacious gaudy bauble and the Edwardian equivalent of 'Beckham Manor'
Isn't it funny how taste changes?
LJ
All - Halton House and the Halton Park estate was bought freehold for £114k in 1918 and so it is ours - no strings attached. That said, the House is listed, as is Henderson Parade Square and its buildings, so you can't do too much to it. The Rothschilds hated Halton House and couldn't wait to get rid of it - it was an austentacious gaudy bauble and the Edwardian equivalent of 'Beckham Manor'
Isn't it funny how taste changes?
LJ
Last edited by Lima Juliet; 26th Mar 2013 at 20:13.
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LJ, absolutely correct, thank you.
Proone, since 1982 the UK has not been involved in 'symmetrical' warfare, therefore the opportunity to engage aerial targets has been virtually non-existent. Believe me, I feel saddened by all the deaths and injuries sustained by British servicemen throughout the years, probably more so than the politicians who sent them there in the first place.
You don't contribute to the Daily Mail do you?
Is it just me, everytime i write P r o o n e I get Pprune?
Proone, since 1982 the UK has not been involved in 'symmetrical' warfare, therefore the opportunity to engage aerial targets has been virtually non-existent. Believe me, I feel saddened by all the deaths and injuries sustained by British servicemen throughout the years, probably more so than the politicians who sent them there in the first place.
You don't contribute to the Daily Mail do you?
Is it just me, everytime i write P r o o n e I get Pprune?
Last edited by Kitbag; 27th Mar 2013 at 06:24.
Because the R.A.F. haven't been compelled to shoot down other aircraft, much, since 1945 is one of the reasons that Sharkey Ward gets on his high Horse!
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Deterrence. By the time the enemy recognize you are weak enough to shoot at, you've already failed. Keep slashing the RAF, and that crucial ability to deter will be lost, leading to even more costly wars and loss of life.
