Coningsby 19-05-10

[vickersfour]

Hello folks

I spent the day at Coningsby last Wednesday. Arrived at 1030 in beautiful sunshine and left at 1700 with very grey skies. Quite a reasonable day for Typhoons with 18 different jets flying (some more than once).

Typhoons active on Wednesday were:
(FGR4’s unless otherwise stated)

3 Squadron

ZJ916:QO-U, ZJ917:QO-G. ZJ920:Q-OA (Note the incorrect presentation of the code). ZJ922:QO-C. ZJ936:QO-S (F2).





6 Squadron

Although the unit hasn’t reformed yet, a number of aircraft have appeared with 6 Squadron codes.

ZK304:EB (Operated by 17 (R) Squadron).



11 Squadron

ZJ924:DD. ZJ929:DL (F2). ZJ942:DH.





17 (R) Squadron

ZJ912:AB. ZJ913:AC. ZJ930:AA.



29 (R) Squadron

ZJ801:BJ (T3). ZJ805:BD (T1). ZJ808:BG (T3). ZJ809:BH (T3). ZJ810:BI (T1). ZJ813:BL (T1A). ZJ910:BV.







41 (R) Squadron
Coningsby’s other resident fast jet unit flew:

ZA447:EB-R Tornado GR4 The large grey pointy missiles on the outside of the inboard wing pylons are ALARM (Air Launched Anti Radiation Missile).
ZD437:EB-J Harrier GR9.





The only visitor was 100 Squadron Hawk T1A XX339:CK.




Cheers

Shaun

[superian]

Shaun, was that you on a ladder up against the fence in the farmers field at the RW25 end of the airfield? I was in the layby at the end of the runway on the B1192 for about 1/4hr before leaving to go to East Kirkby to see the Lancaster "Just Jane" doing taxy runs. What a pity to miss you, I could have had a few photography lessons.
Pictures to follow when I get home to my pc.
(mobile internet is great, but too slow for uploading pics)
Ian.

[vickersfour]

Yes Ian i was one of the blokes with ladders in the field. One of the guys mentioned the Lancaster Taxy run at East kirkby and it did cross my mind to go their when it started clouding over. Are you going to post some pics? Did they get the tailwheel off the ground? So close to meeting up Ian! Well maybe another time.

Cheers

Shaun

[Deleted]

Great Pictures

Bob

[superian]

Shaun, yes I will post pics when I get home to my pc. The mobile internet is too slow to do it from here. As for the taxy runs, we stayed for the morning and afternoon runs but the tail wheel never lifted. I was talking to one of the BBMF RAF technicians who told me that the 2 brothers who own the Lancaster at East Kirkby have passed over control of the company to their Son and Daughter (although they will still have a bit of a say in its running). The hot news is, is that the Son and Daughter have made it known that it is their intention to get "Just Jane" flying again. Apparently, apart from some structural work on the air frame, the rest of the aircraft is in sound order. About £2m was mentioned to fund the project. I think that there is enough public support out there to enable them to complete the project. Lets hope they do, just imagine 2 Lancs flying together....that would be awesome.
Ian.

[vickersfour]

Hello Ian

That would be fantastic if they could get it in the air. I rather think the CAA will put paid to that idea though. Although i thought that about the Vulcan and i was proven wrong, lets hope i am wrong again!

Cheers

Shaun

[superian]

Shaun, apparently, the CAA have been in discussions with both the East Kirkby brigade and the BBMF boys. All we can do is watch this space.
btw, I'm back home now so pics will follow soon.
Ian.