Langleybastan # 22

See my # 14 for my previous comments about the desireability of routinely operating Tankers from Lossie. In the past there were big problems with operating
VC10 and Tristar from Lossie. VC10 wingspan 146ft, Tristar 165ft, but Voyager is 197ft 10inches. I do not have any up to date details of Taxiways or QRA Parking areas
but turning circles and wingtip clearance on Taxiways and Parking areas are likely to be a problem. Possibly strength of concrete also.
The cost of new airfield construction work could well negate any saving for decades.
An alternative airfield would be Prestwick which has plenty of real estate as well as Deicers, Tugs etc. but at what cost? There would also be problems with security
and secure communications. Again at what cost?

AAR Towlines seem to be less frequent than in days of yore. Somewhat fewer customers these day!

Unsure that there are enough 5* hotels in the Lossie area to cope with the requirements of the Truckie fleet.

Perhaps the crew might have to stay in the resident RAF accommodation that normal folk have to cope with.

Asking too much, surely....................

There's a caravan site across the road .....

Got a lighthouse and some views across the Firth.

What's not to like?

Back in the day when the Soviets were more intense in their testing of UK airspace, Victors routinely deployed forward from Marham to Leuchars.

FB

Finningley Boy
I do indeed remember the several Dets I made to Leuchars in the Mighty Victor. The joys of operating from the "Ark Royal" dispersal (also with VC10s).
But whilst the Victor had a wingspan or 110 ft and a track of 30ft and the Voyager has a wingspan of 197ft 10" (almost double) and a track of 40ft(?)
it will still give more problems than we had.
The rooms in the loft of the Officers Mess at Leuchars were still more comfortable than Akrotiri or Ascension.

IIRC some types had to keep rolling once leaving the VSP at Leuchars to avoid sinking into the tarmac if they stopped at any point.

ORAC

At Paine Field/Snohomish County in Washington State we parked our Victor on special metal plates to prevent us from sinking into the parking area,
after the previous visiting Victor had done so. We did not have that problem with the VC10.
However the Nav/Rad and Crew Chief did have to walk us for 2 miles from the runway to the parking area to ensure the Underwing Tanks did not hit the Snow Flags.
There was about 6"" clearance.
I was lucky enough to do a total of 5 Airshows at Paine Field and Abbotsfield just across the border in Canada, run by the same commitee and can
recommend them as the best shows to attend as static displays. If you are flying it will curtail your social life!!

A quick look at the map of loss suggests that the taxiways etc were not upgraded to allow easy use of the airfield by Voyager. Looks like a lost opportunity. Not only that but I wonder what the contract says ?

Having considered all the evidence m'lud, I have decided not to press the case, and will therefore not advise CAS to pre-position tankers at Lossiemouth.
Having however advised him not to progress the new Action Man uniform, I feel that my labours in this well-worn armchair can now stand down for a glass of something.

[Thinks: how pleasant to belong to a forum which can discuss and argue without rancour]

Another glass?

Langleybaston

A second litre of Rose is not conducive to my longevity. Rishi Sunak is probably grateful for your assistance in the countries financial crisi(e)s!

Litre glasses?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thereby hangs a tale.

Hill walking in Austria with three others, we stopped at an Alm, one of many which sell light meals and heavy drink in the summer months. Ordering "ein Radler" in schoolboy Deutsch, I was offered a "grosser".
Ja, danke schoen.

The place was heaving, mostly Germans and Austrians.

Mine host produced a genuine 5 litre stein. I have photos of my chops, confronted with this monster.

Germans and Austrians Ho ho Ho!

To our credit, we saw it off.

[Radler, as any fule kno, is shandy, sort of]

langleybaston

One and a quarter litre of Shandy?? - you big girly blouse!! At least my tipple is genuine ( unadulterated ) Bordeaux Fermented Grape Juice.

er, no ............ the other three each had a standard litre , so total 8 litres to find room for. And a long walk back down to the hotel so not a lot of time to put it away.

Hosed a few shrubs on the way down the hill.

Try this for a subtle variation nightcap: a glass of Asbach with a very small amount of a full-bodied red in it ............. round and mellow.

langleybaston

I thought you said you were a Metman!!. My experience of the MMU would put you in the shade as a party animal.
If you should ever come down my way please pop in for glass or two.

Thank you!

The MMU were Port men.

The late George Phillips, Pete Tweed, Dave Wheeler were among my closest friends.

Another glass beckons [not Radler]

Mine from 30 plus years ago involved a rugby team and a coach with a puncture! Anyhow, apologies.........it just brought memories back!

Ah yes, TT, I echo your comments about Abbotsford static displays! Such fun.

Leuchars was indeed a splendid VC10K FOB on Boris-chasing occasions. Big George and his VASF team looked after us extremely well.

I only stayed in that roof dormitory once when we diverted in a Vulcan. Normally we stayed in St.Andrews, often slumming it at the Old Course Hotel, which was rather pleasant. On one occasion we'd planned to stay overnight and fly back the following day, due to bad weather at Brize. However, 'Thrombo' called and ordered us to return immediately. I pointed out to the captain that we would still have to pay the hotel as it was too late to cancel - but Thrombo wanted to smarm to the Stn Cdr as the Dulles schedule had managed to take-off, despite the hazardous conditions. So back we went; the aircraft took a battering and only just got in due to severe wind shear and strong crosswinds. I gather that the Stn Cdr actually saw the landing and said "Why on earth didn't they stay over and fly back tomorrow - that's what I'd have done!"....

Beags. Not tempted to have gone U/S then ? :)

M
 

Plenty of nostalgia here.

Anyone posting with recent or current experience?

A large concrete parking area to the NW of the airfield (visible on GE) has been built mainly for Poseidon users; currently a Voyager is parked there and it looks to have plenty of room to taxy in/out apart from taxying south west past the HAS site where wingtip clearance might be a bit marginal especially if there is something parked outside the 'J' Type hangar.
To compare sizes, there are several Poseidons parked nearby.