RAF Leuchars - It's All Over
 

Am I correct in thinking that the last ac departed Leuchars this week. All happened a bit quietly, I was hoping for at least a fly past over the local area as a good bye. Oh well, another bit of history gone - it's sad it was such a great place.

Tom

Makes one feel old now. As a sprog being towed around by Pa on postings I can recall Ouston(gone), Usworth(gone), Acklington(gone), Leuchars(gone), North Weald(gone), Gaydon(gone).

I served, or trained at: South Cerney, Syerston, Tern Hill, Odiham, Khormaksar, Sharjah, Thorney Island and Lyneham. With the exception of Odiham (still open?), all gone.

At least two in that list I hadn't even heard of Herod, Khormaksar and Sharjah, both long gone before I joined. Guess it has always been changing.

Tom

Edited RedhillPhill, lol only recognised Leuchars on your list!

Many personal milestones at Leuchars. Sad to see it go.


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With the exception of Khormaskar and Sharjah, and including Leuchars, they are all still in the MOD estate, and have ongoing defence uses.

Herod, yes, Odiham is still open. It's my 'local' RAF station.

As a scopie, I went to RAF Innsworth, [now Army] Bawdsey Buchan Kuching Neatishead [burned down] and Patrington, with a detatchment to Staxton Wold, we also worked with Lindholm. Btw It wasn't the real Bawdsey Manor in "Castles in the Sky"

Its my nearest or rather was my nearest station. This passed me by too though.


Given that the army is moving in, was there never the intention of keeping the airfield open for trooping/supply flights at least?


Oh silly me letting common sense encroach

The airfield is keeping open for UAS & Q diversion apparently.

I believe they're keeping the runway open for the UAS/AEF and for QRA when needed as a weather diversion with a cable? All that will be RAF run and then the rest goes to the Army?

Don't know the full ins and outs but that is the rumour I've heard...It'll be great as a weather diversion with a set of golf clubs! :ok:

LJ

PS. beat me to it by 3 minutes Collie - must type faster!!!

So was there a fly past, final salute over NE Fife?

Tom

There was a 1 Squadron flypast, and on the last day a fast pass and climb out.

That was it

VIDEO: End of era as fast jets leave RAF Leuchars - Fife / Local / News / The Courier

Photo gallery: Final fast jets leave RAF Leuchars for last time - Fife / Local / News / The Courier

I guess the MoD felt that now was probably not the time to be drawing attention to the 'closing' of bases in Scotland.

I once travelled down from Cranwell back to Brize with a fellow RAF chum. Instead of ISpy, we recalled the number of operational RAF stations closed since we joined. When we got to 50 (yes really) we gave up and placed ISpy :)

Try 73 just since 1990! (can't swear to the complete accuracy of this list, but it's not far off) :{

• Barnwood – 1990
• Bawdsey – 1990
• Bishops Court – 1990
• North Coates – 1990
• Abingdon – 1992 Site remains with Army
• Biggin Hill – 1992
• Brawdy – 1992 Site remains with Army
• Ely – 1992
• Mount Batten – 1992
• Wildenrath – 1992
• Gutersloh – 1993 Site remains with Army
• Jurby Head – 1993
• Wattisham – 1993 Site remains with Army
• Catterick – 1994 Site remains with Army
• Belize – 1994
• Gatow – 1994
• West Drayton – 1994
• West Raynham – 1994 Site remains with Army
• Chilmark – 1995
• Chivenor – 1995 Site remains with Royal Marines
• Harrowgate – 1995
• Hullavington – 1995 Site remains with Army
• Swinderby – 1995
• Swanton Morley – 1995 Site remains with Army
• Ash – 1996
• Carlisle – 1996
• Finningley – 1996
• Lindholme – 1996
• Machrihanish – 1996
• Pitreavie Castle – 1996
• Quedgeley – 1996
• Rheindahlen – 1996
• Sek Kong – 1996
• Turnhouse – 1996
• Ty Croes – 1996
• Upavon – 1996 Site remains with Army
• Wegberg – 1996
• Wroughton – 1996 Site remains with MOD
• Bracknell – 1997
• Decimomannu – 1997
• Stanmore Park – 1997
• Locking – 1998
• North Luffenham – 1998 Site remains with Army
• Stornoway – 1998
• Hereford – 1999 Site remains with Army
• Manston – 1999 Site remains with Defence Fire Service
• Laarbruch – 1999
• Bampton Castle – 2000 Site contractorised in support of MOD
• Cardington – 2000
• Newton – 2000
• Rosehearty – 2000
• Rudloe Manor – 2001 Site remains with DE&S
• Bruggen – 2001
• Nordhorn – 2001
• Oakhanger – 2003 Site contractorised in support of MOD
• Buchan – 2004
• Goose Bay – 2005
• Sealand – 2006 Site remains with MOD
• Stafford – 2006 Site remains with MOD
• Coltishall – 2006
• Neatishead – 2006
• Saxa Vord – 2006
• Boddington – 2007
• Innsworth – 2008 Site remains with Army
• Aldergrove – 2009 Site remains with Army
• Bentley Priory – 2009
• Wainfleet – 2009
• Uxbridge – 2011
• Kinloss – 2012 Site remains with Army
• Cottesmore – 2012 Site remains with Army
• Lyneham – 2012 Site earmarked for DTTCP
• Brampton – 2013
and finally...Leuchars – 2015

You missed Stanbridge and Prestwick. :(

Sad to see the base go.

Crikey, what a closure list. Apart from Mount Pleasent I don't think we have opened any either? Any more after Leuchers or have we paused for breath....

How on earth do they justify keeping it open for just UAS ?