St Mawgan Shackletons

Yeah, heard various things myself – I’m hoping things don’t get so bad that they close down RAF South West Command altogether!

I wouldn’t write Lyneham off just yet, there are currently rumours circulating that the WAH-64 fleet may relocate there….

Nicely put SoG, indeed it was Lib who didn’t support (even opposed) the camp, but it was ultimately Lab who condemmed the place.

There will be no RAF flying station further south west than Lynham, when that wraps up in 2012 (ish) the most westerly base will be Shawbury and the furhest south will be Odiham.
How short sighted is that when it comes to strategic placement of military airfields, I don’t suppose it means a great deal these days.

Hi pagen01, I think Labour are unpopular everywhere right now, especially if you are a UK citizen, tax-payer and a middle-aged male motorist, 😀 but isn’t/wasn’t it a LibDem Council that swung for SM? :confused:

SoG

I agree with first bit, Morayshire council is very pro the RAF and its pressence. Even realising it dosen’t cause damage (may even enhance) tourism.
Cornwall Council are exact opposite. MANY campsites at the 13 end ot St Mawgan, many tourists comment on how they enjoy seeing the jets around and how they miss the old air days.

I don’t agree with last bit I’m afraid, I do think it’s very political, government want to keep Scots on side with jobs etc, don’t give a damn about a few Cornishmen and retired people in area with a liberal majority. Suffice to say Labour is very unpopular in North Cornwall now.

Meanwhile Scotland retains three huge RAF bases (two on top of each other!), and look whos in power.

Like the Murphys, I’m not bitter!

Perhaps we realise the amount of jobs these bases create, and therefore our councils don’t complain about the noise – doesn’t stop the tourists coming either – Findhorn near the end of Kinloss runway is hoaching with tourists in summer…

It’s nothing to do with a Scot in power in Westminster.;)

RAF St Mawgan

If you are interested, I have posted three threads of my photos from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s as a tribute to RAF St Mawgan.

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/cgi-bin/ukarboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=35;t=49846

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/cgi-bin/ukarboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=35;t=49847

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/cgi-bin/ukarboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=35;t=49848

Please take a look at my webpages here http://stmawgan.shackletons.mysite.orange.co.uk/
and here
http://st.mawgantower.mysite.orange.co.uk/

I have more pics, but having PC probs at mo.
St Mawgan didn’t change much after the final 42 Sqn Shacks left in the early ’70s as most of the upgrade of the camp for the Nimrod had already taken place.

It is an absolute disaster the RAF losing St Mawgan, the council wanted them gone to expand the civil terminal, and then whinged when the RAF anounced it was pulling out, stating that the airport would be too costly to run on there own!

The new aircraft was meant to be the JSF, thecouncil complained that it would be too noisey for the tourists, alot of the locals wanted it as it would have provided much needed skilled employment.

The resident 203 Sqn has relocated to RAF Valley, and the final planned fixed wing excercises have already taken place (Harriers in May).
The RAF air traffic control is due to cease on 30 Nov 08, but this could change as many dead lines have come and gone, the Council are never ready in other words, and we are all paying for it. The airfield is under major redevelopment as we speak.
The domestic site will be retained by the RAF and USN for a little while yet though.

So, no more RAF pressence and decent jobs, and plenty of Ryanair fed drunken stag dos for Newquay!

Meanwhile Scotland retains three huge RAF bases (two on top of each other!), and look whos in power.

Like the Murphys, I’m not bitter!