Fence hanging at UH

[SW Sky Blue]

A morning on the steps shooting over the fence at Upper Heyford, in the usual dire weather.....

This particular day, which I'm not sure what the date was, no doubt Graham Luxton will know.....saw three Ravens depart to their new home at Mountain Home and a visiting Starlifter back track to depart....

1,
40643_C-141B_60thAW_UpperHeyford_KevinWills by KdoubleU2017, on Flickr

2,
40643_C-141B_60thAW_UpperHeyford_KevinWills_2 by KdoubleU2017, on Flickr

3,
67-035_MO_EF-111A_UpperHeyford_KevinWills by KdoubleU2017, on Flickr

4,
67-035_66-055_MO_EF-111A_UpperHeyford_EOR_KevinWills by KdoubleU2017, on Flickr

5,
66-055_MO_EF-111A_UpperHeyford_27N_KevinWills by KdoubleU2017, on Flickr

6,
66-048_MO_EF-111A_UpperHeyford_KevinWills.27N_jpg by KdoubleU2017, on Flickr

7,
66-048_MO_EF-111A_UpperHeyford_KevinWills by KdoubleU2017, on Flickr

Cheers,

Kev Wills.

[graham luxton]

Great stuff Kev, I remember it as I was stood next to you covering the activity on video. The date was Thursday 16th July'92. You probably recall that nearly all of the 42nd's Raven's were re coded `MO` weeks before they actually left `Heyford and during that period they flew local missions. This was the case with 048 which flew a round trip that morning departing as "Sweep1" at 1035L. Sods law its wingman "Sweep2" broke. The `Lifter` departed to the US at 1049L as "Reach11471". At that time the 366thFW had an EF-111 detachment at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and that's where the other 2 Ravens' were headed rather than returning to the US. Instead of going direct they repositioned to Lakenheath departing "Retro31/32" about midday and continued their journey to Dhahran on the 18th.
Seeing those EF's gradually drift off that summer was the beginning of the end for 'Heyford - a real choker!

[Weazel69]

you have some great shots there kev, especially the 141 in the old scheme before that old drab Euro.1/lizard
also like shot 6 with the F111E just dropping in at the back of the shot

[slogen51]

Nice to see shots from Heyford.

I have fond memories of parking up in the lane after the railway bridge , seems a long time ago. Seeing swingers taxying down both sides of the runway and shaking the car as the afterburners were lit up. I recall they often went north on track to Flamborough head.

I got to know a young lad whose dad was in the USAF at Heyford and he would often tell you if anything was due in - he mentioned 4 German Tornados were due in one afternoon and sure enough they turned up. Strange as it might seem now, I usually visited Heyford on a Sunday in the 80s (due to work etc) to mop up the weekend USAFE visitors that would come UK.

[Seahawk 11]

Just great, brings back meny a memory of being up that lane by the railway bridge, I spent quite a few hours there, these are good to see,

Rob

[vark 1.1]

Great set Kev,

Must of been one of the mornings i missed. Happy days on the steps
Graham, you are so right the EF's leaving was the fast road to the End for UH.
All a long time ago now

[DanBeeden]

Just fantastic shots. Shots 5 & 7 show just how close you could get to the jets at UH - mindblowing really. These bring back many happy memories of summer days spent at this spot with my Dad. I recall one really busy day in 1991 I think with all 4 based squadrons busy plus visiting Belgian F-16s, C-9 Nightingale and a pair of Portugese A-7 Corsairs.

While on the subject of UH, did anyone know a gent by the name of Colin Tuffrey? He was a regular at the base and usually had a videocamera with him.

Happy to see any more '111 shots you may have - especially when they were all wearing noseart. 1987 I think?

Thanks for sharing these - fab memories.

[paddyboy]

Hi Kev

'Lifter (in PROPER colours) and Spark 'Varks

Doesn't get any better

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[saint1]

Nice set, they are also a bit different from the Camo schemes, although I think I can see a Camo in No6.

By coincidence I was there on Sunday (some 27 years later!) and have put a short clip in the video section of some wall art from the 20th FW / Fighting 55th or here --->https://youtu.be/WHeaWwSpeZg

Saint1

[Knife 04]

Absolute class Kev! Thanks for sharing these

Like those that have mentioned it before, I used to love visiting the this spot and Upper Heyford in general. You used to be able to see and photograph so much from here.

Visited the place again back in June for a tour as Saint 1 did in his video - place has changed so much now from those bygone days!

Cheers again Kev for the reminders

Darren

[F3]

Last time I spotted a UH Vark was 12 Nov that year over the N.York Moors. Etched in my memory as twas my B'day!

[Sparky 119]

I have just started blubbing again seeing these, thanks Kev

[SW Sky Blue]

Thanks for all the comments chaps......always causes mixed emotions whenever I look back at UH stuff...

Graham, you must have some cracking footage....hope to see some of it some day.....and your note taking is second to none...thanks for the info...

Slogan51 your young lad was probably Andy Jacobus, an American lad and a keen local enthusiast ....

Dan, sorry don't know him..

Cheers,

Kev W.

[Blackcat1]

Awesome!I do miss the F111s from low level down here

[vark 1.1]

Thanks for all the comments chaps......always causes mixed emotions whenever I look back at UH stuff...

Graham, you must have some cracking footage....hope to see some of it some day.....and your note taking is second to none...thanks for the info...

Slogan51 your young lad was probably Andy Jacobus, an American lad and a keen local enthusiast ....

Dan, sorry don't know him..

Cheers,

Kev W.

Kev,
Andy Jacobus is back in the UK. He is living in a new place on the old camp.
Not got to see him yet!

Richard Parker

[Van Bullitt]

Great stuff. The Ravens were elusive beasts to catch flying. I visited often in the early 90s and only saw a couple fly.

Paul

[fisherman]

Hi, Kev, That is a very nice post, takes me back to those great days we all shared at UH. Where has the time gone?

Salutations, Mike.