Here we go again. Today we kicked off with another base visit.
Disforth
Lynx AH.7 (9 Reg): XZ191, XZ195, XZ208, XZ215, XZ221, XZ605, XZ642, XZ643, XZ648, XZ652/T, ZD274, ZD278, ZD284
XX384 Gazelle AH.1 std, no mks
ZB670 Gazelle AH.1 pr gate, no mks, c/n 1951
(ZE379) Lynx AH.7 std/GIA, see below
ZG886 Lynx AH.9 (9 Reg)
The last time we had a visit here, Apaches were still based. Then the weather was as grey as it was now, but when we left the base then the sun came through. This time it stayed grey....
The stored Gazelle was used for spares for the new gate guard; apparently the remainder will be scrapped. This is a former Shawbury airframe by the way. The Lynxes don't carry squadron markings; I understand they are all pooled nowadays so those markings are not applied anymore. Too bad for us! The stored Lynx had some panels with ZE379 on it, and I have that one as instructional airframe at Disforth indeed (coming from Arborfield by the way). But we thought we found the c/n plate, and that read 337. That c/n belongs to Lynx HMA.8 ZF560 however, which can't be right obviously. Can someone tell me where to look for the "real" c/n plate, for a next time? When we were on the platform a Hunter came flying over, attracting a lot of attention from us but also from the two Lynx pilots that were our guides. They were real aviation enthusiasts as well! Unfortunately we didn't have our scopes ready, so it escaped identification, but it looked like a basic camouflage c/s like the FRA ones. It certainly came rather low, so it might have been making a touch and go or stop at Leeming.
All in all a great visit, with all three hangars checked, the aircraft on the platform photographed, and back out again in just one hour. On to the next destination!
RAF Leeming
Hawk, 100 sq: XX203/CC, (XX280)/CM, (XX289)/CO, XX331/CP, (XX346)/CH
Tutor (Northumbrian UAS): G-BYVV, G-BYWH, G-BYWT, G-BYYA
(XA634) Javelin FAW.4 pr (228 OCU mks)
ZK452/L Beech 200 45 (R) sq
ZK453/M Beech 200 45 (R) sq
Not too much activity here, now the Tornado's are gone. But still two new Hawks, so worth the visit. No sign of a Hunter however; a bit disappointing.
Since there was not much going on here (apart from the many, many circuits flown by the Beeches), and Linton having nightflying (we learned that at Dishforth) we decided to drive up north again and take a look at Durham. A few Bulldogs should be based in the area, and FRA has a unit here as well. A gamble, but how great did this work out!
Durham-Tees Valley Airport
ZZ191 Hunter F.58 no mks (FRA operated)
When we arrived, there were only two Falcons on the FRA platform and furthermore just some civil stuff. Frank was eating his heart out though....
We had had a look from the flying school terrace as well, they kindly invited us in, and decided to leave, when we suddenly heard a specific kind of jetnoise. When we saw the Hunter on the runway we ran back to the car to get our cameras, and then we had to choose where to position. We all split up, and I totally picked the wrong spot. It turned out the Hunter did a back track, and taxied right in front of Franks and Hielkos lens. I was on the other side of a building though. Luckily it parked outside on the FRA platform, and the flying school was kind enough to let us on their terrace again and open the gate for a few shots. Definately the highlight of the day!
Only after returning home we found out that the fire brigade here has a Whirlwind in use as instructional airframe by the way. We (especially Frank) did have a good look at all the aircraft on the fire dump, but no sign of that one. Anyone who knows more about it?
Then on to the local paintball club.
Battlezone paintball, Yarm (54º 26' 36.50" N, 1º 19' 39.50" W)
XN385 Whirlwind HAS.7 pr, no mks
Thanks to a local postman we found the spot. Even with his directions it was rather difficult; it was much further away from the village then we thought. After driving along for some time we turned back, only to find out (after asking again) that we had turned exactly at the entrance of the site. There was no sign whatsoever indicating the entrance, probably they only display that when they are open or are expecting visitors. I was told that the chopper should be visible from outside, but actually I doubt that.
Bagby aerodrome (54º 12' 43" N, 1º 17' 29" W)
E-15 S-11 G-BIYU, no mks
G-ARLR Terrier 2 std (ex Auster AOP.6 VW996)
VH-JVL Pa.18 ex 18-6038, any mil history?
Another short stop underway to Linton. A friendly welcome, we were allowed to wander round as much as we liked, especially when we had told that we were Dutch. The S-11 was parked outside; "look, the fokker has landed" was a comment given (by a club member that is, not by us) with a big grin
Next stop was:
RAF Church Fenton
Tutor (Yorkshire UAS): G-BYUA, UJ, US, VG, VJ, VX, WP, WV, XE, XG
We knew they had two new ones for us here, and since we were so close we wanted to give it a try. They were very active, but despite the large amount of Tutors seen not the two we needed. But when we managed to look into the hangar (from outside) there were two Tutors parked. And you guessed it again; it was them!
Very nearby here is the gliding aerodrome Rufforth, where a lot of storage and maintenance is supposed to be. Frank and I already tried this place in 2005, but at that time we came in the evening and nobody was present. This time it was much better!
Rufforth aerodrome
WB943 Sedbergh TX.1 BGA2941, no mks
XP463 Grasshopper TX.1 std, no mks, see below!
G-BTWD Venture T.2 (ex ZA657)
G-BUGT Venture T.2 (ex XZ551)
When we arrived here we went straight to MacLean Sailplanes, and the first thing they did there was get the "spotters jar". After our initial surprise we donated a few quid, and then got the full tour by an old guy who actually might have been mr. MacLean himself judging by what he told and knew. Regarding the Grasshopper, this was stored in parts in a hangar. Problem however is that we also saw an XP463 at Lasham, only a few days ago! And this one definately didn't fly here in the last two days.... This one had SSK/EI623 on the tail, does any of this make any sense to someone? In both cases we read off the serial from the tail, not from wings or so.
The Sedbergh and Venture G-BTWD are in the gliding club hangar, the other Venture is in one of the glider boxes on the other side of the airfield. Although they were closing up and there was nobody at that part we were allowed to have a look there as well to see wether we could see it through some holes or cracks, and we succeeded!
Regarding the other aircraft that should be based here according to the Demobbed site:
Cadet XA286: not known
Swallow XS652: moved to North Wales
Grasshopper XP455 moved to Burn, and probably moved on again.
And then finally to Linton for the night flying; very appropriate since it was already getting dark by now. Another fight against time......
RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Tucano, 1 FTS: ZF143, ZF145, ZF205, ZF240, ZF243, ZF264, ZF317, ZF338 (spec c/s), ZF342, ZF344, ZF377, ZF407, ZF417, ZF448, ZF489
Tucano, 72 sq: ZF343, ZF349, ZF512
Tucano, 76 sq: ZF172/MP-D, ZF269/MP-O, (ZF378)/MP-W
Tucano, 207 sq: ZF292, ZF293
XN589/46 Jet Provost T.3A pr
We also thought we read off ZF291 taking off in the dark, but were not 100% sure. Can someone confirm this one is active at the moment? It's one of the few we still need.... When we arrived here it was almost dark, and reading off the ones that were taking off was very difficult. We quickly read off all the ones at the platform, and decided to call it a day after that.
As always corrections, additions and comments are very welcome.
That´s all folks!
Hielko Overeem, Frank Mink & Patrick Dirksen
Tristar Aviation