Basevisit Mildenhall and Lakenheath 24-02-2009

[DJMikey]

Yesterday finally our basevisit at Mildenhall and Lakenheath took place. It was a fine day! Here are some pics. Quality of the pics isn't awesome, but considering the grey weather and the fact several of these pics were taken from a moving bus, through dirty and slightly darkened windows I think these aren't that bad at all. Hope you enjoy them. Thanks to Tracy, Teresa and Stacy for making this all possible.

















The log and probably pics from other participants will follow soon.

Grt, Mike.

[jimmy van drunen]

Great Shots!

[Javindo50]

Well organized Mike, good for you that you could make it!

[nilsko]

Don't want to be over-critical but were the photo opportunities at both bases so limited that no ground shots were possible at Mildenhall or LN (you were mentioning pics being made from the bus and all..)? Or was the weather really being a pain in the ***?

[nhoogenboom]

Don't want to be over-critical but were the photo opportunities at both bases so limited that no ground shots were possible at Mildenhall or LN (you were mentioning pics being made from the bus and all..)? Or was the weather really being a pain in the ***?

It was really grey whole day especially when we were at Mildenhall. While we were at Mildenhall two local KC-135s departed and were within a matter of seconds disappeared into the clouds. One other KC-135 (visitor) arrived during our tour in one of the KC-135. Almost all photos had to be made from a driving bus with colorcoated windows.
We were only outside while we visited the fire department (C-17 photo) and when we had our tour in the KC-135.

At Lakenheath we were only alloud to photograph one F-15 that was cleared by the Commander. We weren't allowed to photograph the rest of the flightline (22 F-15's).

Gr.Niels

[warthog64]

At Lakenheath we were only alloud to photograph one F-15 that was cleared by the Commander. We weren't allowed to photograph the rest of the flightline (22 F-15's).






sounds very frustrating to me.....

although it's always nice to look around at an U.S. airbase..

[Thermal]

Depsite the weather I think the pics came out realy nice.

A bit weird though that you are not allowed to photograph the flightline during a basevisit???? I thought that's what's base visits are for?

And take that Spit from it's pole and restore it so it can fly again. Especially these warbirds should be kept airworthy for as long is they can and not let them rot away on a pole. Damn shame to see it like that.

[Polecat]

And take that Spit from it's pole and restore it so it can fly again. Especially these warbirds should be kept airworthy for as long is they can and not let them rot away on a pole. Damn shame to see it like that.

...restoring plastic replica's to aitrworthy condition has always proved to be quite tricky.....

[nilsko]

Thanx all for the feedback.. Too bad conditions were limited, but hey, sometimes you just have to make the best of it..
I do know of other visits organised by KNVoL which were organised not with the spotter/photographer in mind, but more focussing on other aspects of airforces in general. Might serve some people, but not me.. Must've been very frsutrating to see all those pretty Eagles lined-up..

[DJMikey]

I feel the need for some explination. Not to set things straight, to start a discussion or anything. Just to inform anyone who's interested.

As we all know KNVOL isn't a spottersassociation. Our members are interested in all aspects of aviation, not just (photographing) aircraft. Our/my goal with organising basevisits is therefor always to put in several aspects of an airforce or airbase. But ... because the aircraft are the mainbusiness, we/I always bear in mind to have visits where the flyingaspects are the main topic.

Of course, we/I always ask for sufficient photo-opportunities. But keep in mind that these days, especially on American airbases, regulations are very strict and therefor indeed like Nilsko said we have to make the best of any opportunity given. In this case those opportunities were plenty given. Luckily regulations weren't changed or tightened for any reason during the visit and our hosts did everything to make sure we had a great day. We are very gratefull! Considering the photo-opportunities please keep in mind though, that the tankers are and always will be parked all over Mildenhall in stead of lined up on one spot. For logistical and organisational reasons it wasn't possible to have a stop at every plane with a large group of 40 people (normally a visit there - if granted - can consist of max 15-20 people). Therefor most pictures were made from the bus. Still they did come out nice I think.

In the case of Lakenheath it was indeed a beautiful sight to see all the F15's parked in front of shelters or taxiing by. We all were almost like little children in a candystore. Too bad we couldn't take any pics in between the shelters and flightlines. But hey ... it isn't like we won't see F15's in the coming years. Yeah, it was a bit of a pitty but as always we honor the rules of our hosts as we all would do - hopefully - when we are visiting someone elses home. On the other side, like Roel mentioned, we did get to have a look where normally no one is allowed to and we did get to talk with the pilots who enthousiasticly explained everything we wanted to know.

We did make this happen for a large group, something I think no other group succeeded in. And, we were promised to have another visit in the future! Maybe the rules considering photography in the shelterarea at Lakenheath will change over time to lesser strict rules. Let's cross our fingers

Hopefully this explaines some things. To summon up: we had a great day!

For now, please and keep them pics of this day coming!

Grt, Mike.

[patrick dirksen]

Well explained Mike!
For me personally that's one of the mian reasons I don't join the visits too often anymore, but that's a personal choice. And to get back to topic: although it wasn't a "spotters tour", is there a list of noted aircraft available?

[Lex]

Well explained Mike!
For me personally that's one of the mian reasons I don't join the visits too often anymore, but that's a personal choice. And to get back to topic: although it wasn't a "spotters tour", is there a list of noted aircraft available?

Patrick,

have a look in spotting Europe and then Mildenhall and Lakenheath.
A log is posted there.

Greetings

[Hornet]

Beautifull opportunity to get in there... and quite nice guates guards...

Thank you for sharing !