Rubbish. I can see the logic in patrolling the technical site but posting an small army of guards to patrol the runway and dispersals is ridiculous. However CCTV , signs and fencing would be far cheaper than an expensive secuirty firm.

Yep, cheers for your input SADSACK, I was merely quoting from my experience of working with the MoD, ‘rubbish’ may be your opinion, but what I posted was fact, even if it does not solve the problem of “posting an small army of guards to patrol the runway and dispersals” as you say.

Check out urbanex sites such as ’28 days later’ to see how these “far cheaper CCTV , signs and fencing” do not really stand up to the job.

Regards

As for Newton I’m certain the main tech site and airfield have been sold off (not sure about the old domestic houses to the East). When I visited last year (2006), the old grass airfield had been ploughed up by the farmer and the buildings were being repainted from MOD green, to a grey colour.

The houses that are on the edge of the A46 at Newton are such a waste, I lived there in the early 1980’s (Newton Gardens???) and it was a superb place to live, climbing over the old Varsity, Canberra and dumped Lightning, as well as the Lightning in one of the hangars (now flying in S.Africa I believe), and a airfield to explore, anyway, I am going off at a tangent…

Newton married quarters must not have been included in the wholesale of accomodation to Annington Homes in the 90’s, otherwise the Officers quarters would be sold off individually by now, as the Airmens Quarters have been for many years, unless they are waiting on selling off a bit of land to widen the A46!, just a thought! Whatever the situation, it is a waste of what was a brilliant place to live.

I wonder how many bases are disused, toally derelict but still MOD wonded and hence guarded? Woodhall Sap and Bardney are. How much is being spent guarding these?

Woodhall Spa is certainly not disused and totally derelict. True the Tornado engine work is no longer done there (to my knowledge) but it is not secured by a security company, it is the responsibility of RAF Coningsby.

Bardney has been out of RAF hands since the end of the Thor era in the mid 60’s as far as I am aware.

It is true though that a lot of MOD property does take a long time to sell whilst the powers that be decide if there is any further use. Quite apart from the damage caused by vandals and arsonists, the MOD has a duty of care to ensure that these idiots do not hurt themselves and try to sue them.

Sticking in a rather cheap (by comparison) security firm ensures that they are taking reasonable steps to secure the property, whilst not using the already overstretched service men.

Alot of LHD vehicles have been disposed of since Eastern Europe became our best mates, though I am curious as to the desert colours?? Also dont forget that the Landy 90 & 110 series have also been displaced by newer design vehicles, I forget the MOD designation….. help out here Serving friends.. please? Im curious as to the Bedford MJ / MK replacement the DAF up for grabs & the Bedford TM’s too, driven the lot in my day (still got me old FMT600)….. soz gettin old LoL. Bex

The latest (from 1996) Landrovers are designated TUM (HS) or Truck Utility Medium (High Spec) or ‘LandRover Wolf’ to those who use them, Pinzgauers have also replaced them in some roles.

The Defenders are as you quite rightly say, variants of the older 90/110 Defender series of the ’80s although many remain in use

The Bedford / Leyland Daf replacement is a new MAN design which is due in service this year.

I am dealing with Withams at work at the moment, I will see what the Comet fuselage business is all about.

I really should read posts a little better…………….

Anyway, I did go to Swinderby today, not a lot of demolition going on, but lots of construction. It is only a matter of time before some of the old buildings succumb though!

13 Flt 3 Sqn by the way, March 15th 1988!

EPF Nimrod

If anyone has any info or pictures on the Nimrod fuselage that was/is used by the RAF Exhibition Flight, i’d be keen to see it.

I worked on the Exhibition Flt trailers in the ’80s when they were based at EPF, RAF Henlow before they were contracted. In those days it was mounted on two 40ft trailers that had to be reversed together, giving, I guess, a 80ft walkthrough exhibit. I believe it was a Comet fuselage originally.

Cheers

Nooooooooooo………………..

The technical site at Swinderby was essentially complete, although the domestic site was bulldozed as few years ago to make way for Witham St Hughs.

Simon, I didn’t know about this happening yet, I thought the airfield was next to go. A sad day, hopefully I will make it down tomorrow to have a look.

I also have some pictures at http://lincolnshireairfields.fotopic.net/c416244_1.html