Kilve/Lilstock range photos

[Paul R]

Poor quality photos taken back in the day. Happy days back then with up to 10 f-111's using the range at any one time. Aircraft used to use this range almost every week.

[Blackcat1]

Those were the days eh! never seen pics of Lilstock before, thanks for posting.

Cheers

[RichC]

I remember seeing them running in from when i had outings on the north coast. Lilstock is my local range... i live in Mid Devon.
Great photos of the past...
It is used frequently still, but only allowed by Helicopters using Machine Guns and Fixed wing doing Flare Trials.
Rockets, Bombs etc are no longer allowed unfortunately.

Royal Navy are the main user with the Seakings and Lynx and Merlins....with occasional RAF.

[Paul R]

@nige, wednesday's were good days, as were tuesdays and thursdays. The noise of the f-111s when they were dive bombing was quality. @Rich c, how frequently do they use the range and do you have a frequency for the range

[RichC]

Paul,
It is only used now when NOTAM'd, several times a month.
279.200 is the primary frequency and range comes under the control of Yeovilton of which they will use 127.350 and 234.300 for radar.
Also Cardiff 125.850 will be notified.

RAF C-17's have used the range for flare trials, as have many other types but the range is now used mainly by helicopters using the GPMG, .50cal and minigun at the drums located offshore.
The helipad is still used by the helos on the trials, about 50 metres from the range tower.

Christ i remember the F-111s so well... they used to come down my valley at 500ft and swing north towards Exmoor and do their stuff at Lilstock. Remember A-10s down here several times a week over the north coast of Devon too, coming from the direction of Lilstock. Not sure if they used it though?

[Paul R]

Cheers for the info Rich. I don't recall A10s using the range but they must of at some point. I've got some more images from lilstock lying around somewhere. I find them, give em a scan and put them on. Cheers

[Firehawkiv]

Thanks for posting the images Paul, I used to work at Park Farm which is the farm you have to drive through in order to get to the range. The navy lads always stopped off for a coffee and complimentary tickets to the Yeovilton air day - happy days. I should have some pictures somewhere of which I'll try and find and share.

[Ghost from above]

All controllled by RNAS Yeovilton nowadays as you say RichC. Mostly Merlins and the new Wildcat working up procedures for the door gunners

[Blackcat1]

F111s were a great sight, very regular in my area Brecon/Sennybridge even in the filthiest of weather.