UK Maritime Patrol Aircraft - An Urgent Requirement
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Inadequate infrastructure ? St. Mawgan is currently having a new entrance and guardroom constructed at a cost of five million pounds. Yes, really, see MOD websites. Approx 230 military personnel based there though at times many more as training courses progress. With such levels of expenditure, in the usual way of such things, surely a candidate for closure .
Cornwall needs its airport but the large base is a big and ongoing cost for the County to meet, is there any scope for perhaps a Prestwick style solution where the military and civvie aviation seem to co-exist side by side ?
Interesting comments on here re Culdrose.
Cornwall needs its airport but the large base is a big and ongoing cost for the County to meet, is there any scope for perhaps a Prestwick style solution where the military and civvie aviation seem to co-exist side by side ?
Interesting comments on here re Culdrose.
Low level ops airframe fatigue ?
Please pardon my intrusion, but I wondered if somebody might enlighten me. I will nail my colours to the mast and state that I prefer the Kawasaki P1, on the basis that "if it looks right...." Turning to the P8, I see that it is a derivative of the venerable 737, a civil airliner intended to cruise in a genteel fashion at altitude. Unlike the old Nimrod that was built to Brunel standards and had a relatively simple wing, the 737 appears to be a very different beast. So, how is the 737 wing structure with its various slats etc likely to cope with being flung about at low level over the wet stuff whilst dispensing sonobuoys ? I fear that this sort of operational flying will take its toll and mid life wing rebuilds/replacement will be the order of the day.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
But Brian, you should know that infrastructure costs can be swept under the Axminster if you cant afford a Dyson.
I just added Odiham because I forgot the SH guys.
As I said earlier, I didn't know if the figure of 9 was flying bases, or all bases, and it wasn't my number, just one I'd heard quoted. As just one example, while flying training may be privatized, the RAF footprint at Cranwell is huge, I can't see that moving to one of the "flying bases". Then you have to define what do you call a "base"? How about Fylingdales or St Mawgan, as examples? Then there is Wittering, Boulmer, Scampton, Honington, etc, etc.....
Still, this is thread drift. My point was, re-opening St Mawgan as an RAF flying base for a small fleet of MPA/MMA is a non starter!
As I said earlier, I didn't know if the figure of 9 was flying bases, or all bases, and it wasn't my number, just one I'd heard quoted. As just one example, while flying training may be privatized, the RAF footprint at Cranwell is huge, I can't see that moving to one of the "flying bases". Then you have to define what do you call a "base"? How about Fylingdales or St Mawgan, as examples? Then there is Wittering, Boulmer, Scampton, Honington, etc, etc.....
Still, this is thread drift. My point was, re-opening St Mawgan as an RAF flying base for a small fleet of MPA/MMA is a non starter!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Somewhere flat
Age: 68
Posts: 5,563
Likes: 0
Received 45 Likes
on
30 Posts
Biggus:
All Helos will be Army/Joint RN. Possibly RAF personnel seconded like the Carrier aircraft.
The other bases are likely to close. Not sure about the Reds, but when all RAF airshows are cancelled in SDSR then........
As stated earlier, there will still be some other non-flying units but I have just given my take on the flying bases. For example, Cranwell will remain for ground training but the airfield may well be "privatised" for training (if it stays open).
All Helos will be Army/Joint RN. Possibly RAF personnel seconded like the Carrier aircraft.
The other bases are likely to close. Not sure about the Reds, but when all RAF airshows are cancelled in SDSR then........
As stated earlier, there will still be some other non-flying units but I have just given my take on the flying bases. For example, Cranwell will remain for ground training but the airfield may well be "privatised" for training (if it stays open).
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Dorset
Age: 25
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't see RAF helicopter bases down to just Odiham, given the Chinook OCU has just moved to Benson and there's not gonna be room at Odiham for 60 odd Chinooks and 20 something Pumas. It's not always best to have all your eggs in one basket
Wensleydale,
Just because MFTS is the way that UK flying training is to be carried out does not mean that it is not done on RAF stations. They are still RAF pupils being trained by largely RAF instructors in UK military serialled aircraft bearing roundels on RAF stations. RAF stations staffed by the regular RAF.
So that's Cranwell, Shawbury, Valley, Woodvale, Barkston Heath and just maybe Linton On Ouse to add to your list.
And there is no evidence at all that "The other bases are likely to close"
Just where would the RAF regiment go if Honington were to close? And Scampton, Boulmer, Leeming, Wittering, High Wycombe, St Mawgan are all rather full and busy, indeed some are having quite a lot of work done on them and their infrastructure.
Just because MFTS is the way that UK flying training is to be carried out does not mean that it is not done on RAF stations. They are still RAF pupils being trained by largely RAF instructors in UK military serialled aircraft bearing roundels on RAF stations. RAF stations staffed by the regular RAF.
So that's Cranwell, Shawbury, Valley, Woodvale, Barkston Heath and just maybe Linton On Ouse to add to your list.
And there is no evidence at all that "The other bases are likely to close"
Just where would the RAF regiment go if Honington were to close? And Scampton, Boulmer, Leeming, Wittering, High Wycombe, St Mawgan are all rather full and busy, indeed some are having quite a lot of work done on them and their infrastructure.
ISTAR Hub: Waddington
Transport Hub: Brize
AD Typhoon: Coningsby or Lossie
Mud Movers Typhoon: Coningsby or Lossie
JSF: Marham
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Given its wingspan, the P8 is a natural fit for Waddington therefore .
.
Wittering' s hangars might be suitable
.
Wittering' s hangars might be suitable
AnglianAV8RLow level ops airframe fatigue ?
Please pardon my intrusion, but I wondered if somebody might enlighten me. I will nail my colours to the mast and state that I prefer the Kawasaki P1, on the basis that "if it looks right...." Turning to the P8, I see that it is a derivative of the venerable 737, a civil airliner intended to cruise in a genteel fashion at altitude. Unlike the old Nimrod that was built to Brunel standards and had a relatively simple wing, the 737 appears to be a very different beast. So, how is the 737 wing structure with its various slats etc likely to cope with being flung about at low level over the wet stuff whilst dispensing sonobuoys ? I fear that this sort of operational flying will take its toll and mid life wing rebuilds/replacement will be the order of the day
Please pardon my intrusion, but I wondered if somebody might enlighten me. I will nail my colours to the mast and state that I prefer the Kawasaki P1, on the basis that "if it looks right...." Turning to the P8, I see that it is a derivative of the venerable 737, a civil airliner intended to cruise in a genteel fashion at altitude. Unlike the old Nimrod that was built to Brunel standards and had a relatively simple wing, the 737 appears to be a very different beast. So, how is the 737 wing structure with its various slats etc likely to cope with being flung about at low level over the wet stuff whilst dispensing sonobuoys ? I fear that this sort of operational flying will take its toll and mid life wing rebuilds/replacement will be the order of the day
As for the 737 struture, it is pretty robust and is designed for high cycles, and is flug around the globe in thousands of movements per day. You are correct that it is not an optimum "low-level" wing, but has been deemed good enough. If my landing as a a pax at Chicago Midway last weekend is any indication it is quite capable of firm landings and heavy braking/reverse thrust
Guest
Posts: n/a
An urgent SDSR Requirement
Even if I am late at the party, you couldn't make it up...how long before someone does not see the ridiculous side of the "SDSR" Equipment picture
RAF - Strategic Defence and Security Review
Imagegear
RAF - Strategic Defence and Security Review
Imagegear
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
IG, not your fault but for the RAF to leave the site abandoned for 4 years.