Cottesmore (EGXJ/OKH) - 2009 MIL

[Piet Luijken]

A visit to RAF Cottesmore was always high on my list, because of the wonderful Harrier aircraft and the good spotting and photographic conditions at this airport. Today should be the day with a good weather forecast and lots of time. However, due to the detachment in Afghanistan and some aircraft in the USA for Red Flag and other exercises, flying wasn't very good in the previous weeks. Well, it was my first time here, so any Harrier would do!

Upon arrival, around 0930LT, already some engine noises could be heard. As I had parked my car at the usual spotting corner, spot 1, I offloaded all my stuff and walked to the gate. The all-metal crash gate was quite high but had a large hole for opening just large enough for my 100-400mm lens. The first Harriers were shot in near perfect weather conditions. The movement of the lens in the small opening was not very comfortable so I decided to get my steps out to be able to shoot over the gate. This step was in a large bag to carry it as hold baggage on my flights and this was locked with a small lock. Too bad the keys of this small lock were still in my hotel room. Very fortunately, a local spotter was carrying a large garden scissor in his car to keep the spotting lanes in perfect order and I was very happy to lend this scissor to cut open my bag. After half an hour, I finally succeeded to open my bag and to take out the small ladder. It proved to be too small to look over the gate. Even better, I did not need a ladder according to the same guy, as this was the only high fence around. Just a couple of steps and a very low fence was all there was between the Harriers and me.

Plan B then, steps and torn open bag in the car and on for a walk along this fence to the beginning of the runway for an even better position ( spot 2 ).
From spot 1 you can just follow the fence to arrive at spot 1, it is even been prepared by the farmer.

The Harriers were really enjoying the good weather conditions and so was I, together with Mr Harrierlist Andy.
Two aircraft had just finished their JUMP update and were flying with an operational load.

LOG 28 April 2009:

Locals:
ZD346/13 Harrier GR9A nb JFH
ZD347/14 Harrier GR9 nb JFH
ZD375/23 Harrier GR9 nb JFH
ZD376/24A Harrier GR7A nb JFH
ZD380/23A Harrier GR9A nb JFH
ZD404/33A Harrier GR7A nb JFH
ZD467/57A Harrier GR9A nb JFH
ZG471/61A Harrier GR7A nb JFH
ZG472/62A Harrier GR9A nb JFH
ZG478/68 Harrier GR9A nb JFH
ZG508/79 Harrier GR9 nb JFH

Visitor:
G-BYXN Tutor T1 nn JFH
ZF339/339 Tucano T1 72(R)sq CFS

Preserved:
XE606 Hunter F6A preserved
XW917 Harrier GR3 preserved
ZH655 Harrier T10 dump fuselage

[erik_kamphuis]

There should be 2 Sea Harriers F/A2 preserved on base (ZH800 and ZH801) both l/n 3-07.
Does anyone know if those can been seen from outside the base??

TIA,
Erik