UK Spotting Trip

[Tigerspoon]

Hi there
planning a trip to the UK next week. The following airfields are on my schedule:

Odiham, Boscombe Down, Lyneham, Brize Norton, Mildenhall, Lakenheath, Marham, Coningsby, Cottesmore

If there are any infos about preserved a/c, or nice spotting spots at the airfield, don't hesitate to answer. It's my first trip to the UK, so I don't know what to expect there during my trip.

So any info is more than welcome
Best regards


TSpoon

[SPERX]

Where are you crossing to arrive in the UK? I think that Odiham, Lyneham, Boscombe and Brize are a long way to go for fairly quiet airfields. IMHO the three best bases are Coningsby, Lakenheath and Mildenhall - the last pair are only 10 Km apart and you can drive between the LKH/MLD pair to CGY in about 2 hours - the road between Kings Lynn and Boston (A17) is very slow - only single carriageway and lots of goods vehicles slowing you down - be patient its a dangerous road.

You didn't mention Cottesmore - its now the main UK Harrier base and about 90 minutes from CGY - and if UK rumours are true the Harriers could be run-down very quickly ( bankrupt UK again ) - catch them while you can.

Preserved aircraft are not my main thing - but Newark Air Museum ( maybe 45 mins from CGY ) is reported to be good.

[Lex]

If you are a scramble member you can have a look at the airfield guide for the best spots. http://www.scramble.nl/airports/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Near Conningsby is RAF Cranwell this can also be worth a visit.

[erik_kamphuis]

Hi Tigerspoon,

We are also going 19-22 july.
Cottesmore and Coningsby is a good combi, you pass Cranwell than (to read the planes outside).
At http://www.demobbed.org.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; are all preserved aircraft in the UK.
Close to Cranwell is a small museum with a Jet Provost and Vampire. Cranwell has a JP at the northgate.
Coningsby has a Torn F3 and Phantom at the gate and 2 Lightnings on base (one visible from southeast side).
Close to Coningsby is a Lightning preserved, seen demobbed "Tattershall Thorpe" and another Lightning + Torn GR.1 are with a farm just south of Coningsby, seen New York.

If you drive from Coningsby to Mildenhall/LN you might pass Holbeach on the route (A17) and preserved along that road is a Hunter in Fleet Hargate.
Another Hunter is in Beck Row, west off LN and north off Mildenhall.
If you drive from LN to Londen you pass Cambrige (overhaul Hercules) and the Duxford museum.

Good luck!

Erik Kamphuis

[Le Addeur noir]

A visit to Waddington may prove a unique chance to see a RAF Shadow before they depart south.

Odiham is not good from outside,and flying is poor at this time.They have a families day on the 22nd,which may be worth a visit.