Wittering or Cottesmore?

Just a little comment.
I’ve called in at Cottesmore on the way back home from Notty a few times, luckily, I’ve seen a bit of flying, if I hadn’t, fair enough, it’s an operational base, I don’t expect to see wall to wall Harriers on a whim.
A few years ago, when the Tonkas were in residence, I was driving down the A1 in the dark and saw the tell tale signs of re-heat take offs in the distance.
Great, it was a night exercise and I spent a happy half hour in the dark watching the most impressive take off’s. But then, I was lucky, it’s the same with any RAF or USAF base, you turn up and hopefully see something, no complaints if nowts about, the last time I was at Lakenheath, and I was with one of our Hungarian visitors, it was foggy, you couldn’t see across the airfield, too bad, it happened to me once at Lightning city at Binbrook, that was very dissapointing, but not requiring a winge at the gate guard.
Incidentally, I know that operational requirements prevent us seeing the always inspirational typical Harrier displays at UK airshows, but why was one performing at the Keszkemet Airshow in Hungary this year, no doubt with back up a/c, ground crew et al. A great expense carried out in a far flung European outpost, what was that all about, politics no doubt, perhaps they hope to offload the redundant airframes to the Hungarian Air Force when the F-35 comes on line, who knows.

Just a theory, but it might have been in return for past Hungarian Air Force displays in the UK. Hungarian MiG-29 displays in the UK. etc. Was there a cancelled previous commitment by the RAF in Hungary, or at the Keszkemet Airshow?

TJ

How sad to see this forum get its knickers in a twist. So – some ointment:

1. So glad that someone noticed that WE were there at Cottesmore. And I do acknowledge 800NAS – of course.

2. But Wittering was FAR more IT – &, for those who could only see Gliders, how about this? As it was – at this time, 68 years ago. That’s me on the right!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/witt40.jpg

= Tim

I did mention that on my post earlier in the thread and suggested it be moved, but there’s not a fat lot I can do about it now!

With all due respect, would this not be more appropriately aired on the modern military aviation element of the forum?

Please please please, what is all this about, do we have to get so nasty, it’s all about watching our heroic RAF on the off chance, if you don’t see em fair enough, lets not get carried away with this, it ain’t worth the effort, lets just consider what heroic deeds they are up to as we sit safely on our backsides and be safe in the knowledge that they are attempting to put their lives at risk in attempting to wiping out the scum that wish to destroy our way of life.

High Horse? I think you’re the one on the high horse trying to boost your staus! “I know a Harrier pilot!” Don’t we all!

And one last point Phantom Fixer! JHF is Joint Helicopter Force!!!!!!!!!!!

Re your two qoutes Stewart.

Yes I know a former Harrier pilot as also know other pilots etc from differant aircraft types, It’s not a case off showing of at all. Additionally for the record Im sorry for my innocent mistake regarding using a keyboard late in the evening and getting three simple letters the wrong way around. A mistake we have all been guilty of at somepoint.

Secondly for those that know me and have read my postings they will know I dont care about “boosting my status” as you put it. It seems your the one with your chest puffed out doing all the huffing and puffing.

I really think you seem to be picking an argument with me for other peoples postings as exemplified by mentioning the Waddington comments on a thread which if my memoray is correct I didnt post upon. Yet I dont seem to remember you attacking the poster for that comment. Dare i say double standards?

I think you should go away and reread what I have written. Then learn to pass comment upon that not what you perceive has been said as it really is a world of differance and dare I say shows a certain ignorance on your part.

High Horse? I think you’re the one on the high horse trying to boost your staus! “I know a Harrier pilot!” Don’t we all! I’m just fed up with all the judgemental people within these forums who put the knife in! There was a post on another thread about the poor state of our armed forces because Waddington is closed on a Sunday! People do deserve at least one day off to spend with their families! Everyone is operating at max capacity!

I have no issues with people spotting! Its good to see people showing an interest! I used to with my dad at various places when I was younger, I remember Binbrook, Conningsby, Upper Heyford and Bentwaters. Thats what got me interested in it all! I have spoken to many of you on the other side of the fence when we take the aircraft for a tie down and still will!

For any genuine people looking at spotting there has been no flying here at Witt for the last couple of weeks! Except gliding! I wouldn’t bother next week either until Thursday!

About the Hungarian det! I wondered the same thing but will find out for you! Bearing in mind they also did a display in Germany too!

And one last point Phantom Fixer! JHF is Joint Helicopter Force!!!!!!!!!!!

luckily, I’ve seen a bit of flying, if I hadn’t, fair enough, it’s an operational base, I don’t expect to see wall to wall Harriers on a whim.

Well said Peter and something I think most of us will agree with

Just a little comment.
I’ve called in at Cottesmore on the way back home from Notty a few times, luckily, I’ve seen a bit of flying, if I hadn’t, fair enough, it’s an operational base, I don’t expect to see wall to wall Harriers on a whim.
A few years ago, when the Tonkas were in residence, I was driving down the A1 in the dark and saw the tell tale signs of re-heat take offs in the distance.
Great, it was a night exercise and I spent a happy half hour in the dark watching the most impressive take off’s. But then, I was lucky, it’s the same with any RAF or USAF base, you turn up and hopefully see something, no complaints if nowts about, the last time I was at Lakenheath, and I was with one of our Hungarian visitors, it was foggy, you couldn’t see across the airfield, too bad, it happened to me once at Lightning city at Binbrook, that was very dissapointing, but not requiring a winge at the gate guard.
Incidentally, I know that operational requirements prevent us seeing the always inspirational typical Harrier displays at UK airshows, but why was one performing at the Keszkemet Airshow in Hungary this year, no doubt with back up a/c, ground crew et al. A great expense carried out in a far flung European outpost, what was that all about, politics no doubt, perhaps they hope to offload the redundant airframes to the Hungarian Air Force when the F-35 comes on line, who knows.

Cottesmore is an operational flying station! If you want to see aircraft fly go to an airshow! It is not there to serve the general interests of aviation enthusiasts! JFH pilots at the moment as well as the engineers are spending a considerable period of the year away on Op Herrick and when not there we are on other various deployments! If we are granted a standown then it has been well deserved and the bloke pinged for guard on that particular day will get a day in lieu!

And the best squadron at cott i’m afraid is 800NAS!!!!!!

Yes Scott I think Stewart does need to chill out slightly and be carefull he doesnt fall off the horse he has climbed upon.

Stewart I think you will find that most who use this forum including myself (who for the record has a friend who used to be a Harrier pilot) will be well aware of what the services including JHF are doing at the moment and me mentioning that I saw nothing was not a slur on their efforts or complaining just a mere observation.

If you have a complaint about how JHF are being viewed upon or been commented unfairly upon about the breaks they are receiving then speak to your co-worker (assuming you are services) who was guarding the gate.

It was he and he alone who passed comment and didnt seem impressed that the aircrew were having an extended break. Which re reading my original post is clearly what I said.

me thinkys youve annoyed a harrier driver or handy man?? :p

No Flying at Cottesmore

Cottesmore is an operational flying station! If you want to see aircraft fly go to an airshow! It is not there to serve the general interests of aviation enthusiasts! JFH pilots at the moment as well as the engineers are spending a considerable period of the year away on Op Herrick and when not there we are on other various deployments! If we are granted a standown then it has been well deserved and the bloke pinged for guard on that particular day will get a day in lieu!

And the best squadron at cott i’m afraid is 800NAS!!!!!!

I went to Cottesmore last year as a day out for my birthday and saw…………..****** all.

Much to the disgust of the guard on the gate the “flyboys” were on holiday for an extended weekend. He didnt sound impressed.

No.1 Squadron is based there I believe. So, er, yes they were there.

Oh, dear – who else??

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/RAF2/no1.jpg

Of course – the BEST Squadron was there??

= Tim

BEST Squadron?

Cottesmore was alright on Monday when a Spitfire PRXIX wa doing circuits

Of course – the BEST Squadron was there??

= Tim

It was a good day Scott. I’ll post something in the Photographic forum shortly and add the link in here.

Apologies to the mod’s, this thread is in the wrong forum, perhaps one of you could move it?

Thanks

Steve

Edit – Link here – http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1293441#post1293441

not a problem…i hold no blame if you have a bad day though :p