RAF Coningsby Enthusiasts Day

[rich]

Well I've not seen any mention of what people thought of the day be it good or bad, I myself really enjoyed it, even the weather was kindish and it didn't rain.
I'm sure the organisers would like to see some feed back for the work they had put in to it, and may be another could be planned whether it be next year before the Families Day again, or some other date, anyway just a thought for any responce . just hope I don't regret it .

Regards,
Rich.

[GaryS]

Not long got back.
Had i have just gone up for the 'Enthusiast's Day' i think i may have been a little dissapointed after a 4 hour drive up,but stayed for the Saturday as well(outside the fence).
But as they say,''you pays your money and takes your chance''
All credit and thanks to the organisers though for all their efforts.And those at F.C for their part.
Talking to one of the officers there,he did say they had rung around other stations trying to get more aircraft in but alot were 'weather bound'....

[roughcutter]

I thoroughly enjoyed the day, just a chance to be on the other side of the fence was enough for me, everything else was a bonus. As for the other places Brize etc, well the grass is always greener in the next field... it was certainly better than working!
MarkL

[GreenBat]

I thoroughly enjoyed the day, just a chance to be on the other side of the fence was enough for me, everything else was a bonus. As for the other places Brize etc, well the grass is always greener in the next field... it was certainly better than working!
MarkL

I totally agree roughcutter, I had a really enjoyable day, my thanks go to all those who made it possible
It was great to put a few names to face's and Fighter Controls very own "Aileron" won the raffle, and a very nice prize it was too

Many thanks again to all at RAF Coningsby and FC.
Regards
Stuart.

[pb643]

From my perspective, I am very grateful that anyone has the enthusiasm to set to and organise a new event, it really is swimming against the tide!

Everything was extremely well organised and everyone I met was very friendly.

The only criticism I would have regarding would be a lack of information regarding the structure of the day as we arrived. I heard rumours regarding Typhoon and Spitfire practice displays and talk of other movements. As things turned out, none of these things materialised. I have no idea if any of this had been planned.

Unfortunately, pretty much all the station flying finished as we got on to the airfield and whilst I had not gone expecting an air display, I did hope to see more movements.

So thank you very much to the organisers for organising the event , I hope my remarks have been constructive and this years acts as a stepping stone towards an improved event next year. (Maybe an earlier start and finish to take advantage of the busier morning?)

Regards Phil

[vis814]

I go along with all the sentiments expressed above. A Superb Day . It was great to be able to chat with service personnel, pilots and engineers about the aircraft.
I would like to say a big thankyou to all those involved with the organisation of the event

Thankyou

[roughcutter]

I thoroughly enjoyed the day, just a chance to be on the other side of the fence was enough for me, everything else was a bonus. As for the other places Brize etc, well the grass is always greener in the next field... it was certainly better than working!
MarkL

I totally agree roughcutter, I had a really enjoyable day, my thanks go to all those who made it possible
It was great to put a few names to face's and Fighter Controls very own "Aileron" won the raffle, and a very nice prize it was too

Many thanks again to all at RAF Coningsby and FC.
Regards
Stuart.

Nice to meet you Stuart, I was the breathless chap with the big camera bag, briefly racing up the apron with you for a take off shot of that Hunter!

[gary1701]

Gents,

Friday was a first time inside the fence at Coningsby for me, so I was looking forward to having a look around a base I normally only see from the outside and talking to the people on the Typhoon force. The weather was kinder than I expected although not brilliant, but I was pleased to see that the aircraft on the ASP were positioned as well as was practical (facing South rather than the normal North), and the airstairs was a nice touch. As others above have said all the personnel that I spoke to seemed friendly and keen to talk about their jobs and the Typhoon which sometimes on these events is not always the case. I can remember a recent visit inside a local airfield when one department's display was manned by personnel who had clearly been unwillingly drafted in to face the public, and showed it. Not so at Coningsby, which was nice to see. Toilets, catering and unit displays all good and transport was quick and well organised.

A couple of minor, and I mean minor, issues that I think could be improved upon. A previous comment about a slight lack of information I think is valid. While we obviously don't want - or really need - a mass of rather obvious Health & Safety instructions, I think just a couple of words prior to getting off the bus would not have been amiss; location of toilets, first aid and limits of access - that sort of thing. Planned aircraft movements could have been marked on a board at the bus drop off point so that everybody knew what and what not to expect. For example; unless they'd asked somebody who knew, many people may have left early who would have liked to have seen two F-15's arriving, but didn't know. Also, aircraft blanking plates could have been removed for the duration. But overall, a nice, relaxed and very friendly event and I also hope it happens again.

Gary

[GreenBat]

Nice to meet you Stuart, I was the breathless chap with the big camera bag, briefly racing up the apron with you for a take off shot of that Hunter!

Yes, nice to meet you to Mark, I see from you Avatar to are a John Shuttleworth fan
Ahhh... Eggs & Gammon .... poor Rhiannon, Ken had Wind!!!!!!......... Pure Class!

Stuart.

[Mark Owen]

I would like to say a big thankyou to the organisers for two great days and I also get to meet a few members of Fighter Control witch was nice.

Regards.

Mark.

[turtle 21]

A big thanks from me to the fighter control guys for sorting out the tickets for friday and also every one on base for a great day. heres hoping for it to happen again next year

Rob

[roughcutter]

[quote="GreenBat"

Yes, nice to meet you too Mark, I see from you Avatar to are a John Shuttleworth fan
Ahhh... Eggs & Gammon .... poor Rhiannon, Ken had Wind!!!!!!......... Pure Class!

Stuart.[/quote]

....still driving an Austin Ambassador "Y" reg

He's back on radio 4 - wednesday's 11pm

[Aileron]

Was a very enjoyable day indeed for my first base visit i had no dissappointments.
The ladders was a very nice touch as you dont usally get to take pictures from that angle at air shows.
All base personel were very friendly and happy to talk or try and talk you into an career in the RAF lol.
Also was great to put names to face's. Greenbat, Kevshore, 355Bike, Ryan and proberly few others that i cannot remmeber screen names for next time i will take pen and paper.

Ok so i won the Raffel sorry guys. The prize was Typhoon with the previous and present base commanders signature's i shall take a picture later to show you all.

[rich]

Ah that was you was it, I saw you collecting it while I was waiting in the bus queue at the end, well done lucky --------

[Aileron]

Thankyou Rich

[MacksAviation]

Did anyone get to go over to the HAS sites ?

I have heard that there were tours over that side of the airfield.

Dave

[skeggy]

Did anyone get to go over to the HAS sites ?

I have heard that there were tours over that side of the airfield.

Dave

Hi Dave, I don't think there was any tour's over to the HAS (Not that i heard about anway), There was tour's down to the main gate to photograph the Gate Guard's, But that's the only one's i know of, And Jim (the Organiser) was on the bus i was on and he did'nt mention anything other than the Gate Guard tour's.

Cheer's Skeggy (Kev).

[MacksAviation]

Did anyone get to go over to the HAS sites ?

I have heard that there were tours over that side of the airfield.

Dave

Hi Dave, I don't think there was any tour's over to the HAS (Not that i heard about anway), There was tour's down to the main gate to photograph the Gate Guard's, But that's the only one's i know of, And Jim (the Organiser) was on the bus i was on and he did'nt mention anything other than the Gate Guard tour's.

Cheer's Skeggy (Kev).

OK maybe I shouldn't believe everything I read on certain mail groups then however I didn't know anything about the gate tour either so......

[350biker]

The Gate Guardians bus tours did go over to the HAS areas but only to photograph the Lightning and Harrier GR3 squadron "mascots". Some long shots of aircraft outside the HAS buildings were possible but nothing more. The tour concluded with stopping for shots of the Phantom and Tornado at the main gate.
The tours were not well publicised and you had to book at the desk just inside the open hangar. Each bus was limited to about 25 people and there weren't enough seats to go round if all 500 of us wanted to go.
I thought the day was excellent and enjoyed what was on offer.