FighterControl

Gents,

Now that we have the okay, here's a selection from the forgotten airfield of Suffolk during a couple of fine evenings this previous week. The chances of actually meeting anybody here are pretty much zero anyway, as Wattisham hardly gets any visitors so social distancing is a given! The biggest danger here is the lunatic cyclists doing time trials, speeding around blind corners and country lanes, frequently on the wrong side of the road. Here's a few.





















Quite a high AOA for a landing, never seen one put down that high before.



'Prowler' callsigns swapping lead on the runway.







'Army Air 443' cutting the circuit short with a tight turn to the runway.









Gary

Absolutely stonking set. Great light, angles and backdrops. Carry on like that and you won't have that quiet base to yourself for long

Top set Gary. Certainly looks a busy location, pity it's too far for me to consider again.

I was on holiday in that area a couple of years back. Was quite excited at the chance to get a day at Wattisham and see plenty of Apache action I had seen plenty of activity on adsb around the old Bentwaters/Woodbridge locations.

Well, one Apache all week, which flew over the holiday let, by the time I dashed out didn't actually catch it The local guy consoled with "they are around here all the time and usually lower than that

Found the Wattisham airfield wasn't easy for spotting, quite a distance from the local roads around the area and didn't appear to be many spotters about. Maybe that was me not doing my homework but then that's our hobby at times. The missus wasn't impressed, "that was a waste of a day" From your set just shows what I could have won

Even the loop, during the latter quite times, has been good to me on my visits Again a great set and thanks for posting

Ian

Hi Gents,

Couple of points about Wattisham that may help. Wattisham generally is quiet, last week was a major exception, not quite sure what got into them, as they flew day and nights pretty much every day. On that first evening I saw seven different cabs flying in a 90 minute period - they don't normally do that in a complete day! Although I live less than ten minutes drive away, those were the first shots I have taken on the fence since August 2018, it's just not normally worth going up. Obviously if you are close, you can do what I did last week, listen or even watch them go out, have a quick look at ADS-B and see how many are around East Anglia, and if it's worth it, sling the stuff in the car. Appreciate you can only do that if you're local and somebody randomly turning up is probably going to be bored senseless!

Wattisham is okay for photography if you know the place (I've known it for over 40 years) and are selective on when you try it, plus you're gonna need a 400mm lens minimum - that's what those were shot on and most were at the max zoom on the lens. You can only get those pics on a summers evening from the North side when the sun gets behind you. I don't even normally try any other time. You will almost certainly be alone, apart from the odd casual passer by who may just pull over for a few minutes. Tractors and the previously mentioned mad cyclists are the major traffic! If you've got Mildenhall/Lakenheath 45 minutes away, you can understand why people won't waste time here, but on the very odd occasion, like last week it does pay off. I know they're flying nights tomorrow but I'd be surprised if they keep that level of activity up next week as well.

Gary

Great set

Beautiful light on those hard to graph Apaches & thanks for added info on Wattisham. Seems like your '20 outings to the local are set now Gary!

Hi Gary

Cracking set there

We get them low over Long Stratton now and again, usually in pairs

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

Lovely set! Good to see some pics of the Wattisham Apaches which is quite rare. Like you say, they have been very busy during the past week or so as if they are working-up for something. I understand that when the upgraded machines arrive there will be fewer of them, which doesn't bode well for activity!

Great shots Gary

Thanks again gents,

It should be a one for one swap as the size of the Apache fleet has already been reduced to 50, and 50 'new' airframes are now under contract. 67 was the original fleet size. a couple were lost, one was written off in Afghanistan and another that flew into electricity cables South of Ipswich fried it's electrics and was never repaired as the cut to the fleet was already coming. Post Afghanistan the fleet was reduced to 50 and remainder stored here at Wattisham. These airframes became the first of the donor aircraft for the new AH-64E model, but as more donor airframes are shipped to the US the existing fleet size has temporary shrunk. My cousin is dating a AH pilot currently going through the course, and it's been delayed by aircraft availability considerably.

The first of the 'new' AH-64Es was handed over to the AAC at Mesa last week, but it will be a while before they come here. Despite rumours to the contrary, the E model will go to Wattisham and there are no plans to move the AH force away at this time. If anything, the AH force may be consolidated at Wattisham, with the Middle Wallop Apaches coming here. I know that has been considered recently, although no idea if it actually will happen.

Gary

Must agree with Gary about last weeks action, especially the night flying. They overflew the village (Badwell Ash) at very low level at about 23.00 hrs for 3 nights. Seemed to be returning home after training at Stanta or in that area.

Hi Gary,

Thanks for your insight into the location and activity on Wattisham, its appreciated. It's an airfield that's been on my list for many years but never actually got there until recently. I should have done it way back in the 70s/80s along with Bentwaters and Woodbridge when I am sure there was plenty of activity!!

Take care out there and keep us posted

Ian

Very nice set.

Thanks again gents,

A bit more difficult when they're departing to the East, as they were this evening. That angle tends to give a lot of glare.





Gary

Great pictures and helpful knowledge, glad you had a good visit!

Hi Gary,

A couple of nice additions. Thanks for posting

Ian

Very nice. Reminds me that it’s been a while since we last had a low pass of Apaches round here (West Mids)

Finty wrote: ↑

Wed May 27, 2020 9:26 pm

Very nice. Reminds me that it’s been a while since we last had a low pass of Apaches round here (West Mids)

How coincidental, just had a pair fly over Birmingham today.

Gents,

Update from one evening last week, change of runway direction, easing off of activity and not such good weather in the evenings have all reduced the opportunities.











Gary

I like those buddy