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Originally Posted by ZH875
(Post 10283826)
After spending lots upgrading Leuchars from Tornado to Typhoon, it shut and the Typhoons moved to Lossiemouth and millions more were spent upgrading Lossiemouth, just because some MP moaned. So I wouldn't be surprised if Marham closed.
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Originally Posted by ZH875
(Post 10283826)
After spending lots upgrading Leuchars from Tornado to Typhoon, it shut and the Typhoons moved to Lossiemouth and millions more were spent upgrading Lossiemouth, just because some MP moaned. So I wouldn't be surprised if Marham closed.
Wouldn't it seem more likely that they moved the Typhoons to Lossiemouth to give Lossiemouth a continued purpose after ceasing Tornado GR4 Ops at the base, while they messed around for a few years to get the Nimrod replacement ready which was planned for Lossie? |
OK, joking aside, they won’t close Marham, we all know that would be absurd, even if Williamson doesn’t, ! However just what required the spending of 250m Gbp. (HAS perhaps but what else? ) When I was at Marham we had four squadrons of Valiants, 3 bomber plus a tanker unit, large numbers of “ special weapons” both U.K. and American. Enormous facilities. So so what was all this money spent on for these little jets ? |
I could guess very sophisticated simulator facilities, which don’t come cheap, for a start. |
Runways that don't melt when the snow blow blows?
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General Schwarzkopf relates in his biography the time, as a junior officer, he was sent to explain to a state senator all the very good reasons an army base in the state would be closed. After the presentation the senator thanked Norman for coming and explaining so well. He then gave his reply 'son, over my dead fu**king body'.
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Stop fretting folks! When 'The man of the People' gets into power, he will close all of them anyway. |
Originally Posted by RetiredBA/BY
(Post 10284820)
OK, joking aside, they won’t close Marham, we all know that would be absurd, even if Williamson doesn’t, ! However just what required the spending of 250m Gbp. (HAS perhaps but what else? ) When I was at Marham we had four squadrons of Valiants, 3 bomber plus a tanker unit, large numbers of “ special weapons” both U.K. and American. Enormous facilities. So so what was all this money spent on for these little jets ? |
They've got a nice Victor K2 sitting on the parade square. I'd put in a bid for that if I could move it down to Cornwall!
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Originally Posted by Bing
(Post 10285252)
Sticking my neck out, it may be that things have needed refurbishing since the 'recent' departure of the Valiants...
So, just wondering what the new money has been spent on in preparation for the Lightning 2. |
Have they rebuilt the NAAFI, that was a sure sign a base was going to close, plus runway resurfacing, oh hang on a minute didn't they recently do just that ?.
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...those jets do need a fairly fast broadband connection and that doesn't come cheap!
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Originally Posted by MPN11
(Post 10284826)
I could guess very sophisticated simulator facilities, which don’t come cheap, for a start. Ha ha nice one... |
Originally Posted by RetiredBA/BY
(Post 10285287)
Yes, of course, it’s a long time, 53 years, since the Valiants went, BUT, Marham has been in continuous use since then as very large base for squadrons of Victor tankers and the Tornado. So, just wondering what the new money has been spent on in preparation for the Lightning 2. Runways, buildings, and maintenance facilities. I'd guess a lot of it was work that needed to be done if the base was going to stay open post Tornado, but no-one was willing to invest until that decision was made. |
Originally Posted by RetiredBA/BY
(Post 10285287)
Yes, of course, it’s a long time, 53 years, since the Valiants went, Time flies! I was demobbed from 214 @ Marham as the Valiants were scrapped. :) February 1965 |
On the 8th December 1964, shortly after we had left our refuelling drogue on a Lightning from Leconfield. we touched down at Marham in Valiant XD815 and found that the aircraft had been grounded.
We then drove down to Honington, our home base, which was having the runway resurfaced. I believe that this was the last Valiant tanker operation and there was probably a grateful Lightning pilot for that. |
Originally Posted by Fareastdriver
(Post 10285489)
On the 8th December 1964, shortly after we had left our refuelling drogue on a Lightning from Leconfield. we touched down at Marham in Valiant XD815 and found that the aircraft had been grounded.
We then drove down to Honington, our home base, which was having the runway resurfaced. I believe that this was the last Valiant tanker operation and there was probably a grateful Lightning pilot for that. I thought the last Valiant sortie was on. Dec 9th, after we were recalled from a hilohi in 865 of 207 sqn. Perhaps the tankers were were grounded before the bombers with our SACEUR commitment. Indeed time does fly, or at least it did for me for another 33 years ! |
Woops, , wrong button! |
Originally Posted by RetiredBA/BY
(Post 10285520)
Perhaps the tankers were were grounded before the bombers with our SACEUR commitment. Regarding refurbishment of a base. Apart from refurbishment and closure, a role change is the traditional excuse for a refurb. It goes like this: A unit is posted on to an existing facility but the facility needs essential changes to make it fit for purpose, things like carpets and a new doorway for the bosses office. Some years later, say 2, the new boss wants but can't have as there is no money. A couple of decades later the original is still in use as it was OK for the previous X years. Come a new role and it is clearly totally unsuitable so . . . |
I thought the last Valiant sortie was on. Dec 9th, after we were recalled from a hilohi in 865 of 207 sqn. What I remember was that as we crossed the threshold there were the lights of the Station Commander's car stopped in front of a Valiant that was approaching the holding point. We heard that he had driven in front of it because he could not contact Air Traffic to stop it taking off when he was told that they were grounded. About 30 minutes after we landed a bomber landed and that was that. It was in the dark at about 19.00hrs so does that tie up with your memories. |
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