Upper Heyford - August 1985 - Over the fence

[bigcrow]

Another fascinating post Darren. Even though Heyford was my local didn't go that much use to spend most of my time at the east Anglian bases, how I regret it now

[mustang5861]

Hi, Mustang. That certainly brought back distant memories, didn't it. I was/still am extremely interested in causes of accidents, and the 'why's and 'wherefores ' of these occurences. Excellent post. Just one comment. I think the second 111 must have been it's second escort, because it was most definitely a n F4 following when I saw it, although they were, of course, some distance from Heyford when I saw them. Tons of time for another aircraft to take over.
Just by the by, I was looking for a downed glider from the right seat of a Cessna 172 many years ago, when I looked up and saw an airfield. I drew my pilot's attention to it, and he said it's Bicester. We pressed on towards it, him still insisting it was Bicester, until I drew his attention that Bicester doesn't have 76 F.111s and a Phantom on finals. VERY steep turn away. My pilot, who shall be nameless is now one of the very top Flying Instructors in the country, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and has 24,000 Hhrs!!!.. I guess his navigation is better now [so is mine!!!!]Regards, John.

Well, I didn't know that about the F-4 - it's a pity I don't have the first part of the AI article to find out who was who and what had gone on before they woke up our school assembly that morning. Might be a stupid question, but would different aircraft types from different units (I'm guessing the F-4, if American, would have been out of Alconbury, Lakenheath (if converted to) or Bentwaters/Woodbridge) use the same callsign? I'll keep my eye out for the first part of that article.

Totally unconnected to the incident, but re. your Bicester/Upper Heyford: back in 1977, my dad took my brother and myself for a flight in a Piper Cherokee from Gnoss Field (just north of San Francisco) to Nut Tree (an airfield to the south and a bit inland). While we were on our way we could see a large airfield way in the distance, which I couldn't identify because of the haze. That haze suddenly grew a bit darker overhead as one of the airfield's residents - a C-141A Starlifter returning to Travis AFB - passed above us. He wasn't that close, but the size of the thing made it seem as if he was! One of those 'Pucker Factor 10' moments. Years later, when doing a bit of spotting at Travis, I regularly saw light aircraft in what seemed like close vicinity to the base's airspace - happily, no accidents!

[Nippy]

This thread typifies what is so great about FC. I love the info and nostalgia from years gone by. I was 10 in 1985 and didn't really get into aircraft and photography until relatively recently when I had the funds to travel about etc.

Many thanks for a great thread. I would loved to have been at Heyford in years gone by, unfortunately my only visit has been to a Speed Awareness Course run for the TVP

[paddyboy]

Hi John

You are soooooo right, my man

As the great JWL once said 'you can't reheat a souffle'

Just glad you and me were there at the time

Another old frat signing out here, having enjoyed a very interesting post

Cheers

Paddyboy

[Knife 04]

All

Really pleased you have enjoyed the photos and much appreciate all the comments and additions to this - fantastic!

All I thought I was doing was posting a few old scans that a few maybe interested in and all this has come out of it

All the very best to you all - if anybody else has some scans they want to post please get them posted

Cheers

Darren

[tim_3216]

Thanks for posting these images, and thanks to everyone for the information about the crashes. Fighter Control at its best.

Growing up in Birmingham Heyford was my 'local' when I was young, in as much as it was the nearest fast jet base, that of course I was unable to get to. When I finally got my first car in 1993 I drove down to UH but saw no movements. I was told by the one other enthusiast present that there were only three aircraft left and they were due to leave for the states any day. It can't have been that particular day because no one else was there to witness, and even in those pre-internet days there was clearly a grapevine about such things (which I was clearly not connected to). This must have been within days of 7th December 1993, when the final F-111E left.

My best memory of UH is a canal boat holiday around 1985 on the Oxford canal, which passes close to the western threshold, but at a much lower level so the base couldn't actually be seen. I recall almost continuous F-111s landing and flying circuits whilst we were within visual range of the base, i.e. all day. As we chugged past the approach several aircraft came right overhead. Great memories.

Some great youtube videos here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmBIfxsg6Lg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCEa6LuJo9U

[DeanW]

Love the images, particularly the Ravens. The transcript from the crash is a great read too!

[Knife 04]

Thanks for the additional comments from Tim and Dean - much appreciated

With the news today what we have to remember is we have to make the most of what we have at the time. Can remember these flying all the time and not bothering a lot of the time much like I do now when watching the 'Quids' at Mildenhall - today puts a whole new perspective on it all - get them while you can!!!!!

Thanks for the photos at the top of the top of this page Cornish Guy - the buildings in the the centre of the 1st picture are the 79th TFS squadron buildings with the 'hardened' buildings just behind. Visited the 'Tiger' squadron once - great times and still have the T shirt

Cheers

Darren

[SW Sky Blue]

Great thread...brings back lots of happy memories of many many hours spent on, and outside the base, in the 1980's and early 90's when I lived near there

I know how the guys that live near Mildenhall are feeling today....

Kev