RAF - how small?
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Now that Grimweasel has brought it up - what of the future of Lyneham/Brize/SMG?
Someone told me that because of the way in which Brize/Lyneham were commisioned in the 1930s, then this had a huge impact on their 'potential'.
Brize opened pre-war and is MOD property through and through, therefore MOD can sell it at a big profit to Branson et al. Lyneham, on the other hand, was built during WWII on requisitioned land and should be handed back to the original owners, - therefore, not much profit to be made. In either case, there is a lot of concrete to be put down to house C17, J Model, A 400M, FSTA and probably Tri*, VC10 and K Hercs which will probably be life-extended to cater for the c0ck-up that is Smart Procurement!
Selling St Mawgan on the other hand, would really cheese off President Bush so that's not going to happen either!
My bet is on Northolt - such a useful station that is!
Someone told me that because of the way in which Brize/Lyneham were commisioned in the 1930s, then this had a huge impact on their 'potential'.
Brize opened pre-war and is MOD property through and through, therefore MOD can sell it at a big profit to Branson et al. Lyneham, on the other hand, was built during WWII on requisitioned land and should be handed back to the original owners, - therefore, not much profit to be made. In either case, there is a lot of concrete to be put down to house C17, J Model, A 400M, FSTA and probably Tri*, VC10 and K Hercs which will probably be life-extended to cater for the c0ck-up that is Smart Procurement!
Selling St Mawgan on the other hand, would really cheese off President Bush so that's not going to happen either!
My bet is on Northolt - such a useful station that is!
Join Date: Jan 2001
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What would you do if you retained all the stations listed? There are not enough aircraft to go round. Still you could always spread a few air rank about since they seem far more numerous than aircraft!!!!!
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Flatus Veteranus
As you say, where is the threat coming from? That's why they can't sell Northolt. They need somewhere to launch the Q from when they close Conningsby ;-)) (VBG)
As you say, where is the threat coming from? That's why they can't sell Northolt. They need somewhere to launch the Q from when they close Conningsby ;-)) (VBG)
The Jockistanis and Taffs will doubtless want independence soon, so why leave any assets there. The threat doesn't come from that direction any more, so close Leuchars and retain Coltishall, close Kinloss and retain St Mawgan, and close Lossie and retain (say) Odiham. Oh, and bin Valley and replace it with Yeovilton or ......... Chivenor!
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I would think that the Viet Taff and the Talibjocks would actually oppose that on commercial grounds - many taffs and jocks actually work there and gawd knows, over the years, the rest of us have spent a fortune in Joannas and the Octopig, not to mention bars and curry houses various! 
