Waddington 'death row'

[3Greens]

Thankfully the 'Mad Axeman' had not yet cometh by my visit on 24th August. Four of the Sentinels and the most recent operational E-3s are still all parked out looking complete. The Sentinels internally are probably a different story but there is still the usual external protection on them ready for spares recovery. I believe the contract calls for them to be dismantled 'on site'
The E-3s do have ground power and air con units with them with ZH101 and ZH106 in Echo dispersal at the southern end of the runway, while ZH102 was parked in the Sentry dispersal/compound outside of the main hangar.
ZH105 has been stood out as a hulk for many years on Delta dispersal and the blue notice adjacent to the crew entry door reads 'WEST - Waddington Emergency Synthetic Trainer'
It was unfortunately a grey day but here's just a few shots of how I want to remember them.



ZJ692 and ZJ691 in the background






























E-3 ZH107 in 54 Sqdn's 100th Anniversary fin marks is parked on Charlie minus dome with also Sentinel ZJ693 parked behind.


This is the future with just arrived Sky Guardian UAV parked in a fenced compound adjacent to the RC135.

[Tally-ho]

You mention ZH102, should that not be a reference to ZH103?

[paddyboy]

Hi Keith

That is one sad post

Great record of a waste of taxpayers money though

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[hawgwash]

Oh that is so depressing but thanks so much for sharing...

[3Greens]

You mention ZH102, should that not be a reference to ZH103?

My log has ZH102 parked outside the hangar. ZH103 which arrived back from final ops at Akrotiri on 2nd August and it wasn't outside so assumed to have replaced ZH102 in the hangar.
With the five Sentinels the three E-3's due for RTP on site are ZH102, ZH105 and ZH107.
There is a parade planned for 28th September to mark 30 years of the E-3D operations so hopefully there might just be a flypast of ZH101

Hi Keith

That is one sad post
Great record of a waste of taxpayers money though
Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

Indeed Patrick a sad sight. Not sure what will happen to that massive hangar that will be left as the Wedgetails are to have a new facility up at Lossie.

Best regards
Keith (3Greens)

[Tally-ho]

Thank you for the response.

[SeaFuryFan]

You mention ZH102, should that not be a reference to ZH103?

My log has ZH102 parked outside the hangar. ZH103 which arrived back from final ops at Akrotiri on 2nd August and it wasn't outside so assumed to have replaced ZH102 in the hangar.
With the five Sentinels the three E-3's due for RTP on site are ZH102, ZH105 and ZH107.
There is a parade planned for 28th September to mark 30 years of the E-3D operations so hopefully there might just be a flypast of ZH101

Hi Keith

That is one sad post
Great record of a waste of taxpayers money though
Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

Indeed Patrick a sad sight. Not sure what will happen to that massive hangar that will be left as the Wedgetails are to have a new facility up at Lossie.

Best regards
Keith (3Greens)

HHA still looking for hangar space when Scampton closes ??

[paddyboy]

Hi Keith

It will be far more than scandalous if that huge hangar does NOT get used

Thanks again for the post

Paddyboy

[Andy Marden]

That hangar will be used by the Red Arrows

[3Greens]

That hangar will be used by the Red Arrows

Well there will be plenty of clearance when they put the Hawks away at night, they had just better be careful that they don't lose them in the corners

E-3D ZH101 not dead quite yet ! - it has departed Waddington this morning out towards Norwich for an air test c/s "SOLEX01" - see OTT section for more.

3Greens

[Vulture 01]

Just thought of a great use for the former E3 hangar. With the Reds moving in, let's convert them to fly radio control jets. Use the hangar for practice flight.......
Knowing the RAF they'll pull it down and build an office block there

[dragonchaser]

Have to agree it’s a very sad sight, surely the Globals have a very long life left yet.

[Cyberfox]

What a waste. Why are those reasonably new Sentinels not deemed effective anymore?

Is their capability now taken over by drones and/or satellites?

[twinstar]

I wouldnt call the Sentinel reasonably new, remember these have been in service for 16 years and the Sentry for 30 plus years. As with anything electronic the equipment will be at the end of its useable life.
A massive investment would be needed to keep these airborne which in the current climate isnt viable.
We havent lost the Sentry capability as we are still a member of the NATO AEW force and can call on the use of those. The NATO E-3 have slso been upgraded to a standard far superior to the RAF ones.

[Davef68]

What a waste. Why are those reasonably new Sentinels not deemed effective anymore?

Their equipment is massively out of date - they have had no investment over the last 10 years as their OSD date was always just a few years away. (think about how your phone has changed since 2008!)

It would take a huge investment to bring them up to modern or future standards. Not economic to convert them back to other roles either.

[Cyberfox]

God I despise drones.