Lyneham Future?
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Joined: May 1999
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Lyneham Future?
A big news story just being shown on Central TV South - they seem to be convinced that an announcement will be made tomorrow stating that Lyneham is to close.
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
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From: Sunny (or Rainy) Somerset, England
God I hope it doesn't close! I'll really miss being whinged at on a weekly basis for being inside their zone when I'm actually a mile outside it map/ground/map and they are relying on a radar that doesn't see aircraft very well but sees trucks on the M4 and they give you avoiding action on the trucks!!! 
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: UK
Lyneham - No Future?
Is this the end for RAF Lyneham?
An announcement on the future of RAF Lyneham - not expected to be good news - is expected on Friday
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/news/index.shtml
An announcement on the future of RAF Lyneham - not expected to be good news - is expected on Friday
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/news/index.shtml
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
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From: Peripatetic
Went through this last November. Just been waiting for the announcement.
The announcement would have been delayed until the A-400M contract was signed and there was a time scale for delivery and IOC and the concommitant rundown of the C-130 fleet.
The announcement would have been delayed until the A-400M contract was signed and there was a time scale for delivery and IOC and the concommitant rundown of the C-130 fleet.
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Scud,
A great shame to hear this although the report I heard this a.m. said it would be 9 yrs before the camp is "finally abandoned".
The neighbours won't be celebrating when the proposals for the asylum seekers camp or the massive new housing estate are mentioned.....
Ask those who live on the edge of RAF Newton airfield, you know, those ones who always complained about aircraft noise (which had been there since about 1937). They soon began to wish they had the aircraft back......
A great shame to hear this although the report I heard this a.m. said it would be 9 yrs before the camp is "finally abandoned".
The neighbours won't be celebrating when the proposals for the asylum seekers camp or the massive new housing estate are mentioned.....
Ask those who live on the edge of RAF Newton airfield, you know, those ones who always complained about aircraft noise (which had been there since about 1937). They soon began to wish they had the aircraft back......
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: UK
As you may have gathered, I was being flippant, ShyTorque. It's just that, every time I drive past that house, I have visions of the hapless occupants clinging to some vain hope that, just maybe, perhaps, one day, in the distant future, the source of all their troubles might disappear and they can, at last, hear the birds singing and take a chainsaw to that 40 foot approach light in their front garden. Nine years isn't that long and, after that, assylum seekers or housing developments will seem a minor irritation.
Personally, I think the closure is a bad thing. Apart from other considerations, Lyneham has much better road communications than Brize.
I just hope they will use the site constructively or, failing that, return it to nature. There are so many former RAF stations lying unused, overgrown and derelict. The MoD really should be held more accountable for the condition in which it leaves such sites.
Personally, I think the closure is a bad thing. Apart from other considerations, Lyneham has much better road communications than Brize.
I just hope they will use the site constructively or, failing that, return it to nature. There are so many former RAF stations lying unused, overgrown and derelict. The MoD really should be held more accountable for the condition in which it leaves such sites.
Last edited by Scud-U-Like; 4th July 2003 at 18:20.
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From: Gilligans Island
As a complete and utter spotter who is employed at the 'doomed airbase' I would like to know what is going to happen to the poor old Comet sat on the gate. There is currently no money spent looking after it, and there is now likely to be even less (!) So are we to see the demise of one of the few remaining examples of the worlds first jet airliner, or can an early offer be made to ship it to somebody who will preserve it for future generations.
For those closet spotters who are afraid of being outed in this thread, go to the aviation history and nostalgia section on pprune where you can comment on the thread I have started in a similar vein...........your secret is safe with us, honest
For those closet spotters who are afraid of being outed in this thread, go to the aviation history and nostalgia section on pprune where you can comment on the thread I have started in a similar vein...........your secret is safe with us, honest
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: UK
Let joy be unconfined
From the updated link I posted earlier....
Defence minister Adam Ingram added that the base will remain open until the RAF's Hercules C130K heavy lift fleet goes out of service, but will then close and be sold off unless a new use has been found for it.
(This doesn't add up, as reports of our 50 aircraft fleet going to Brize would appear to be an exaggeration)
(And our Mk3A's are staying around for more than 9 years)
Stop Press....the move in about 7 years
Defence minister Adam Ingram added that the base will remain open until the RAF's Hercules C130K heavy lift fleet goes out of service, but will then close and be sold off unless a new use has been found for it.
(This doesn't add up, as reports of our 50 aircraft fleet going to Brize would appear to be an exaggeration)
(And our Mk3A's are staying around for more than 9 years)
Stop Press....the move in about 7 years
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: UK
If common sense and logic had anything to do with it, the answer is staring us in the face.
HUB & SPOKE
Send us all to Cyprus!!
The Strategic Airlifters can deliver their wares and we'll do the Gulf shuttles.
Ay thank you.
HUB & SPOKE
Send us all to Cyprus!!
The Strategic Airlifters can deliver their wares and we'll do the Gulf shuttles.
Ay thank you.
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: West Sussex
SirPeter:
The announcement said the base will close in 2012; the UK's first A400Ms will be coming in 2011, so this does actually fit with your comments on Mk3s going out in more than nine years, as the A400Ms will have to be worked up.
The announcement said the base will close in 2012; the UK's first A400Ms will be coming in 2011, so this does actually fit with your comments on Mk3s going out in more than nine years, as the A400Ms will have to be worked up.
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Glorious Devon
Regional Air Force?
So another station in a pleasant part of Southern England bites the dust! Having looked at the RAF's official website, the flying stations left for blokes and blokesses who are more at home in the South than in Jockistan, Taffistan or the North East seems to consist only of Odiham, Benson and the Secret Oxfordshire Base.
You can bet that Lyneham would not close if it were in Scotland, Wales or Cornwall!
The distribution of RAF stations may be affecting career decisions - particularly in the ground branches. Advice on the resettlement courses for those approaching retirement was (in my day!) try to buy a property in London or the home counties, and hang onto it like grim death. Your chances of finding a decent job will be far higher than in "the regions". Presumably, many of the guys and gals at Lyneham have bought locally?
I thought the "Air Base" series about Lyneham on TV was excellent, even if it was a bit late in the evening for drooling old wrinklies.
You can bet that Lyneham would not close if it were in Scotland, Wales or Cornwall!
The distribution of RAF stations may be affecting career decisions - particularly in the ground branches. Advice on the resettlement courses for those approaching retirement was (in my day!) try to buy a property in London or the home counties, and hang onto it like grim death. Your chances of finding a decent job will be far higher than in "the regions". Presumably, many of the guys and gals at Lyneham have bought locally?
I thought the "Air Base" series about Lyneham on TV was excellent, even if it was a bit late in the evening for drooling old wrinklies.
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Chippenham. UK
Interesting the statement said that Lyneham would close if "No other military us could be found for it" and the time scale was based upon the K retiring. After all the money they've spent on the K3A 2Gp want to keep it going to 2017/2020. Where does that leave Lyneham then? Will they move the sims? Can Brize cope with C17 FSTA (VC10, Tristars from the desert), A400M, C130J and 16 C130K3A?
More questions than answers or so the song says.
More questions than answers or so the song says.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: uk
Well it sure would make sense to base an Army unit there. 16AAB would be a good choice. (not for the local police though!!)
Prehaps this would be a good base for UKSF. Ideal ammounts or real estate perched on a hill away from prying eyes. C0-locate all SF assets inc. aircraft at one base.
Can't see it ever being returned to agricultral use!
Mind you, if the Blues get into HMG at the next election whos to say that this decision will not be reversed?
Prehaps this would be a good base for UKSF. Ideal ammounts or real estate perched on a hill away from prying eyes. C0-locate all SF assets inc. aircraft at one base.
Can't see it ever being returned to agricultral use!
Mind you, if the Blues get into HMG at the next election whos to say that this decision will not be reversed?
Inter Arma Enim Silentius Lex Legis
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 733
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From: England
Well consolidation can be a good thing you know!!
I hope it is sold off for houses. The Treasury will make an absolute mint you know!!
The cash thus raised could be invested into... say the Railways perhaps?
Just a thought!!
I hope it is sold off for houses. The Treasury will make an absolute mint you know!!
The cash thus raised could be invested into... say the Railways perhaps?
Just a thought!!
Beady Eye
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,495
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From: UK
Its closing by 2012 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...re/3042522.stm
If Lyneham were sold for agricultural use, it has previously been estimated to be worth £11.25m.
If Lyneham were sold for agricultural use, it has previously been estimated to be worth £11.25m.
Joined: May 2003
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From: Cheltenham England
Guys, and Girls, of course Lyneham will be closing, Brize is a much better base for Mistakes to happen. It has the best Quarters in the RAF, with pre-installed Asbestos Insulation. The Infrastructure is run-down, and the Aircrew all live on a cloud next to god.
With reference to the Gate Guard at Lynehm, I reckon some new engines, a lick of paint and some modern aerials, and it will be the most advanced AEW aircraft for Kinloss.
With reference to the Gate Guard at Lynehm, I reckon some new engines, a lick of paint and some modern aerials, and it will be the most advanced AEW aircraft for Kinloss.