I’m off to Sibson airfield, ex-RAF Sibson, in Cambridgeshire this Saturday for my sponsored skydive. Does anyone know much about the airfield, ie whats still there, if any interesting aircraft are based there, history of the airfield etc? Me and my mates are bringing cameras so i’ll try and get photos of the general airfield area if possible. Cheers, Rob
By: The Stripper - 17th February 2006 at 21:24
Did quite a few jumps from there in 1979/80 and as Janie says its the partying thats the dangerous bit….alcaholic poisoning etc :confused:
Did my first freefall with the Red Devils and celebrated with a bottle of Scotch that night and the ******s tied me to the windsock…..but that does not tell you much about the airfield :rolleyes:
By: Rlangham - 11th February 2006 at 09:38
Been a major fire at the airfield
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/4700376.stm
The skydive is still on, only have one phone line working at the parachute centre though, no computers, fax machines etc
By: Chipmunk Carol - 9th February 2006 at 23:48
Some of those leaves came very close to embedding themselves in your Emeraude’s undercarriage once.
Warning: If you ask the Sibson refueller for a specific amount of fuel, so as to ensure that you are not overweight and can still climb out over the trees – make sure he pays attention and does not fill the tanks.
By: met24 - 9th February 2006 at 23:35
The only thing that springs to my mind about Sibson is the trees at the western end of the runway.
By: The Blue Max - 9th February 2006 at 23:04
Went in to Sbo once in a Wilga, was instantly surrounded by Parrot shooter’s who wanted to go jump out of it because they hadnt seen one before!!!! Not been over there for a while but there use to be a nice selection of GA types in the Big Black hangar with a few Tiger’s, Stampe’s Auster’s thrown in.
By: Chipmunk Carol - 9th February 2006 at 22:56
I spent about two-and-a-half years there skydiving, partying, sleeping in tents, bunk rooms, caravans, cottages, backs of cars. I quit the skydiving in 1992 to take up flying which is mainly not as exhilarating, but has a lot more advantages.
I was doing freefall formation with my pen-pal (pre email days) from the first Gulf War. His parachute failed. The reserve worked, but it meant that he was in the wrong bit of sky – too low down and too far away to make it back to the airfield, so he landed by the Nene Valley Railway, much to the amazement of the visitors.
Don’t worry about the skydive, that is easy. It’s the partying which will sap your energy.
If you want to know about the aircraft on site, don’t bother asking the skydivers, most of them don’t care for aeroplanes at all. Don’t be afraid to wander over to the control tower (about 50 yards away) – go up the stairs and ask there.
Enjoy and report back.
By: Rlangham - 9th February 2006 at 21:24
Yeah but apparently the NNR are repainting it in BR Green which really suits them. Better make sure I don’t end up on the railway line, not sure if being hit by a train would get compensation from the insurance policy my mum paid for me to take out!
By: wessex boy - 9th February 2006 at 21:03
As a bonus the Nene Valley Railway runs down one side of the airfield, shame they are lending their Battle of Britain class loco to the NNR….
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 9th February 2006 at 17:27
Northampton School of Flying are based there having moved from Sywell – decent chaps – had the distinction last year of the same pilot pranging a Tiger and Cub within the hour (he was flying both) but they are well established and respected teachers – the airfield has a bit of an odd approach – should be at least 1 tiger, 1 cub and a fairchild argus there…
Blue Max will tell you more Rob –
have a good drop I did about 12 AFF jumps in my time…you’ll be buzzing from the tips of your fingers to the end of your toes!
TT
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February 9, 2006 at 5:21 pm