GATEGUARD:

Housing and industrial estate (Edit, oops, Robert posted before me!)

There have been CAA restrictions on 12/30 for a while- it’s only been available for take off to the South East if the main runway is operating, as to avoid deconflict with the main runway (in case of landings, to avoid overshoot/go arounds), take-offs and landings towards the North west were prohibited (I once took off that way about 15 years ago on a Loganair flight when the main runway was temporarily closed, but don’t recall anyone else using it that way).

Even the odd occasion it has been used has only been at night, when the main runway was being repaired. What has really killed it is the new Terminal extension will encroach onto the top end.

The remaining ex-RAF buildings ahve been disappearing. The domestic accomodation was demolished years ago, but notthing has been developed on that site (Last use, riot training for the Police!)

Money spent is of no consequence – the bottom line is how much more will it cost to operate? same with Governments, who have a habit of cancelling things after spending huge sums. The money already spent has no effect on future balance sheets

Would be interesting to compare to modern online aerial imagery

new kit came out in 2016/17, but that boxing is the original 1980s version (based on the 1960s SH3)

Propstrike – it would be nice if someone could find a photo of those, someday!

Fascinating story Matt – I hadn’t realised mk IIs or mk IIIs had been used operationally in the Far East

Is this the last surviving HC1?