Norfolk
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: South Africa
Age: 87
Posts: 1,329
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Coningsby was upgraded and extended to a Class A V bomber base in the late 50’s with the standard 9,000 ft runway, standard H shape dispersals and a Gaydon hangar. A Vulcan B2 wing was formed in 1960 with 9, 12 and 35 Squadrons. The station was selected as the UK TSR2 base and the Vulcan wing transferred to Cottesmore in 1964. Coningsby then went on care and maintenance as it was prepared for the TSR2. It was during this period that the large Aircraft Servicing Pan (ASP) was built in front of the Gaydon hangar.
When TSR2 was cancelled all work stopped until it was selected as the UK F-4M Phantom FGR2 base, the OCU arriving in 1968 and the three squadrons 6, 41 and 54 the following year.
When TSR2 was cancelled all work stopped until it was selected as the UK F-4M Phantom FGR2 base, the OCU arriving in 1968 and the three squadrons 6, 41 and 54 the following year.
I heard stories of the new runways cracking and Coningsby closing down again while they were repaired.