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Quote:

Originally Posted by Finningley Boy (Post 11205478)

I would expect the retirement of some Typhoons to be deferred at least. It will be interesting to see if we have a Defence review prompted by current events.

pr00ne

I'm afraid my next magnum opus makes reference to Abingdon during the period in question but its too late for me to alter my take on the station's long term future circa 1975. So if you come by a copy, steam will issue from your ears no doubt. However, I did read somewhere, perhaps a proposal at a far from formed state, that Abingdon was being considered as surplus. to requirements.

FB

No problem at all! Your recent post did not make steam issue from my ears at all, I was just pointing out the facts as I recall them, not having a pop at you as such. As for the current Abingdon, Dalton Barracks, its closure was announced in the "better Defence estate" announcement some years ago, not sure when as that awful example of Tory short termism announced the closure of some 90 sites well before they had even considered where the existing units would be relocated. In fact a recent admission to the defence select committee confessed that the planned savings would be completely missed and that the planned closure programme was in disarray and would most likely not be completed.

Just after ULAS had relocated from wonderful White Waltham to RAF Abingdon, I recall one of our QFIs saying "Well at least we're safe now - they'll never close Abingdon!".

Sadly, about 25 years later when I was a QFI at ULAS, that's just what 'they' did and we were forced to relocate to RAF Benson. We weren't particularly welcomed and we worked from an abysmal site somewhere behind where the RAFP kept their woolly alligators. Unlike at White Waltham or Abingdon, the flight line couldn't be seen from the QFIs' working site, so was wretched when it came to keeping a fatherly eye on the students when they were taxying in and out.

Apart from the fact that there wasn't even an OM car park at Abingdon, the station itself was perfect for ULAS and OUAS operations, plus the odd fast jet servicing. All gone now it's sadly been squaddified...

I'll never vote Conservative ever again!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr00ne (Post 11205792)

No probs pr00ne, if its accepted I think I've managed to secure a last minute two or three word correction, its amazing how you can change a complete sentence, paragraph even, simply by changing a word or two. As Beagle alludes, the Tories haven't exactly lived up to their oft claimed reputation for being strong on defence. I can't see the Chancellor easily agreeing to any kind of revision of defence spending either. Certainly not that would result in an increase.

FB

Ah Beags, hapy days at Abingdon. Perhaps the RAF should be bold and take it back……

Given its location just south of Oxford it'll go for a Science Park with some "affordable" (cough cough) housing very soon IMHO