RAF Wyton
Rumour control' has it that Marshalls looked at moving to Alconbury (from Cambridge) but decided
against it due to the potential cost of Runway refurbishment.No news of any decision on the rail freight
terminal as yet, the local road infrastructure (A14) needs a major upgrade to cope wih current traffic let alone any future increases!!
against it due to the potential cost of Runway refurbishment.No news of any decision on the rail freight
terminal as yet, the local road infrastructure (A14) needs a major upgrade to cope wih current traffic let alone any future increases!!
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Back from the costa courtesy a 737-800. Wonder if the Mighty Hunter referred to above was a 'no name, no squadron' MADless model revisiting old hunting ground.
skua posted 11th August 2002 16:43
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Also recall a large bit of burnt grass (tho it might have been at Marham) which was said to be the location of one of those SR2 disasters mentioned above
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Actually a K2 with full load [guess 75 ish] which IIRC had a major bird strike just short of V1, they managed to stop it in the overshoot - all crew departed safely AIR but airframe caught fire, and in that case, a lot of fule burns well. Big fuss over the quality of the overshoot ensued - the gardener had been short changing MoD or summat!
The Wyton one would have a been a large patch of grass about 3000' along 27 just to North side - a sobering reminder for all wannabes for many a moon.
Now like the sound of 4 Conways at full tilt, as BEags will tell. Stuff of legend, lad. The distant sounds of Artouste APUs revealing the pre flights under way.
Don't forget that Alconbury [and Wyton] ops were governed by Ivan and his lack of respect for UK Public Hols!! You could forgive the Yanks anything once you got in the PX
skua posted 11th August 2002 16:43
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Also recall a large bit of burnt grass (tho it might have been at Marham) which was said to be the location of one of those SR2 disasters mentioned above
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Actually a K2 with full load [guess 75 ish] which IIRC had a major bird strike just short of V1, they managed to stop it in the overshoot - all crew departed safely AIR but airframe caught fire, and in that case, a lot of fule burns well. Big fuss over the quality of the overshoot ensued - the gardener had been short changing MoD or summat!
The Wyton one would have a been a large patch of grass about 3000' along 27 just to North side - a sobering reminder for all wannabes for many a moon.
Now like the sound of 4 Conways at full tilt, as BEags will tell. Stuff of legend, lad. The distant sounds of Artouste APUs revealing the pre flights under way.
Don't forget that Alconbury [and Wyton] ops were governed by Ivan and his lack of respect for UK Public Hols!! You could forgive the Yanks anything once you got in the PX
Last edited by Reheat On; 28th Aug 2002 at 02:35.
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Marshalls turned down Alconbury due to runway costs ???
I may not have been there in a while. But didn't the yanks re-surface the mainstrip for the U2's only shortly before leaving.
Last time I flew past though it was covered in cars.
I may not have been there in a while. But didn't the yanks re-surface the mainstrip for the U2's only shortly before leaving.
Last time I flew past though it was covered in cars.
Thanks for that reheat.
And another thing about Alconbury....
I recall that on the East side of the A1 there was a filling station near the approach for Alconbury's Easterly runway. Strange thing was it was owned by a Soviet oil company, and I never noticed any other branches in the UK. Useful location or what?
And another thing about Alconbury....
I recall that on the East side of the A1 there was a filling station near the approach for Alconbury's Easterly runway. Strange thing was it was owned by a Soviet oil company, and I never noticed any other branches in the UK. Useful location or what?
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Oscar Deuce....
"I may not have been there in a while. But didn't the yanks re-surface the mainstrip for the U2's only shortly before leaving."
Could well be - the shelters that were under construction at the time were certainly completed after the aircraft had left - it was cheaper than cancelling them!
No.1 son's been working on the airfield this summer, in one of the industrial units - fantastic place, so much potential - let's see it used sooner rather than later, before it goes to seed!
Reheat on...
Another St. Ivian???? I thought I was the only one!!!!!!
"I may not have been there in a while. But didn't the yanks re-surface the mainstrip for the U2's only shortly before leaving."
Could well be - the shelters that were under construction at the time were certainly completed after the aircraft had left - it was cheaper than cancelling them!
No.1 son's been working on the airfield this summer, in one of the industrial units - fantastic place, so much potential - let's see it used sooner rather than later, before it goes to seed!
Reheat on...
Another St. Ivian???? I thought I was the only one!!!!!!
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Reheat :
" The Wyton one would have a been a large patch of grass about 3000' along 27 just to North side - a sobering reminder for all wannabes for many a moon. "
Would that be the 543Sqd Victor you're talking about? Nasty incident that.
Also, I seem to remember an F-4 going down onto the grass just outside the fence on the airfield side of the old crossroads [pre-roundabout days], just up from Burges & Son's garage. Cleared away by Alconbury in a few short hours.
" The Wyton one would have a been a large patch of grass about 3000' along 27 just to North side - a sobering reminder for all wannabes for many a moon. "
Would that be the 543Sqd Victor you're talking about? Nasty incident that.
Also, I seem to remember an F-4 going down onto the grass just outside the fence on the airfield side of the old crossroads [pre-roundabout days], just up from Burges & Son's garage. Cleared away by Alconbury in a few short hours.
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Beeayeate - yep, that'll be the one. I woke up to hear it on the news - still recall that nauseous feeling and many will have experienced it more than once.
When you read the accident stats its amazing how many Vulcans were lost over the years.
The Alconbury F4 was where the crew banged out and the a/c just as luck would not have it landed just off the end of Wyton 27 and went straight through the then un modded crossroads - you used to have lights for the traffic for a/c on 09 finals. After that, the moved the cross roads about 1/4 mile to the west.
I always thought than when the F15s arrived on a visit, you could sense the arrogance from the aircraft attitude!!!
John Burge at Burges has only just retired [in last few yars] having sold motors to 'er majestys finest for many a year. Last of a breed.
So - it's official- St Ivians could take over the world
Gawd, I played Table Tennis AND hockey for the place. Used to have one of the highest pubs per capita ratios in England. In my day, there was a train service on to March and Kings Lynn, and the Huntingdon link was still open too until Beeching put his report in.
When you read the accident stats its amazing how many Vulcans were lost over the years.
The Alconbury F4 was where the crew banged out and the a/c just as luck would not have it landed just off the end of Wyton 27 and went straight through the then un modded crossroads - you used to have lights for the traffic for a/c on 09 finals. After that, the moved the cross roads about 1/4 mile to the west.
I always thought than when the F15s arrived on a visit, you could sense the arrogance from the aircraft attitude!!!
John Burge at Burges has only just retired [in last few yars] having sold motors to 'er majestys finest for many a year. Last of a breed.
So - it's official- St Ivians could take over the world
Gawd, I played Table Tennis AND hockey for the place. Used to have one of the highest pubs per capita ratios in England. In my day, there was a train service on to March and Kings Lynn, and the Huntingdon link was still open too until Beeching put his report in.
