Busy week, as folk return to work and turn on the system I manage after the Christmas New Year standdown period which causes many headaches.
Late last year the RAF Red Arrows left RAF Scampton (4 miles from us) and moved to RAF Waddington (8 miles from us the other side of Lincoln) as the MOD are selling off the Scampton site. For the next 12 months, the Reds have authority to practice in the Scampton air space but they are looking at where they will practice come 2024. RAF Systerston, off the A46 between Newark and Leicester, has been authorised for some flights this year, but many of the residents are not impressed; they cannot fly over Waddington becuase of the live operations flown out of the site; another option could be RAF Donna Nook, where Carole and I shot the photographs of the seals earlier this month.
They also, as I heard yesterday afternoon, are flying immediately above our house; this shot of Enid is taken literally straight up from our back door.
@onewing Been on the cards for a very long time Babs. When we came home from Cyprus in 1998 and were quartered there ( no quarters at Digby) it was all but mothballed; the Arrows were based at Cranwell and flying to Scampton daily to practice (with fire tenders driving through Lincoln from Waddington to provide cover). They then re-opened it and the Arrows came home, the quarters, save some of the Officer's quarters were sold off and it was really only a matter of time before they closed it fully.
Lots of posts on (anti) social media along the lines of "how dare they close it! Why are they closing it?" which shows a display of ignorance to be honest, they can't keep everything open.
Hope to still see the Arrows practicing and putting the odd photo up going forward
Ahh, things do change. The Young Fella has done a number of camps in Cranwell as a cadet. Fond memories of all the bases around that area for him. But yes, some stay open and some close. I hope the Arrows find a good home. They are such skilled pilots and so wonderful to watch. Super shot
@casablanca Thre has been a lot of scandal and negative press about them in the last few months; with the ageing airframe I wouldnt be surprised if they don't join the Parachute Regiment Red Devils and Royal Signals White Helmets and find themselves disbanded sometime soon.
Lots of posts on (anti) social media along the lines of "how dare they close it! Why are they closing it?" which shows a display of ignorance to be honest, they can't keep everything open.
Hope to still see the Arrows practicing and putting the odd photo up going forward