Red Arrows New Base?

[Ghost from above]

This is hypothetical but I would move the E7 to Lossie and build a hangar there to use the common servicing for the 737 airframe.The E3 retires and the reds move into the E3 hangar which should give enough space with offices workshops etc. Retain the MQ's estate and SLA at Scampton and they can travel to Waddo.
Remember this is all about cost so the cheaper the estate changes the better.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Not sure putting E-7 in Scotland would be a good idea. You’ve got to man the thing and I’m not sure leaving all the experience around Lincolnshire and trying to get enough willing volunteers to go to Lossie would be a viable plan.

[Agent K]

So it’s nice to see the reds remain in the same region, which must help the families and others who currently live close to Scampton. However based on the defence ministers comment that the reds will still practice over Scampton, then why not keep it open, and close another base instead? Once they decided the reds had to share, why move them out instead of moving someone else in? Why not close Leeming and move their assets to Scampton, meaning all the Hawks in 1 location, and the aggressors closer to Coningsby and the Lincolnshire ranges, and Scampton actually used properly?

Leeming is far more modern (infrastructure wise) and maintained and equipped than Scampton, with a useful HAS estate for exercises and deployments. They'd never close Leeming over Scampton….. which is why the base study came to the sad conclusion to close a number of bases that are of a similar standard/use. Given that the 100 Squadron work takes them out over the North Sea, Yorkshire Moors and Dales amongst other places and overseas at times too then the basing of them near CBY is irrelevant.

[Supra]

Serious question... Who needs Volunteers all the time there are 'Postings'? There is some financial & practical merit in the suggestions by Ghost from above. Cue 'Agent K' for the rationale?
(Edit.Damn! He beat me to posting this)

[Ghost from above]

So if you fitted the AN/APS-154 AAS pod to the P-8 for land use would you move it to Waddington dumping all the New infrastructure and build it again in Waddo so the ISTAR assets would all be in the same place.
I don't think the bean counters would go for that.
It's about estate and where the infrastructure has been built already or as little work needed to refurb or extend existing facilities.
Just playing devil's advocate here

[Freeman Lowell]

So if you fitted the AN/APS-154 AAS pod to the P-8 for land ...

Good question, but can you fit the AN/APS-154 AAS pod to our P-8As? They haven't been delivered with the necessary rear fuselage strakes. Perhaps they take the form of an OEM kit you can buy?

Freeman

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Serious question... Who needs Volunteers all the time there are 'Postings'? There is some financial & practical merit in the suggestions by Ghost from above. Cue 'Agent K' for the rationale?
(Edit.Damn! He beat me to posting this)

Serious answer: the forces aren’t in the 1950s-80s anymore. People are more willing to vote with their feet and the “population” demographics - particularly family - are far different. Personnel expect greater stability. When your MR force are effectively forced to all relocate south of the border (or leave), not all of them will be particularly happy relocating back 8-10 years later.

If you want an illustration of the point, look at the amount of advertising on Social Media for rejoiners to populate Poseidon at Lossie.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

So if you fitted the AN/APS-154 AAS pod to the P-8 for land use would you move it to Waddington dumping all the New infrastructure and build it again in Waddo so the ISTAR assets would all be in the same place.
I don't think the bean counters would go for that.
It's about estate and where the infrastructure has been built already or as little work needed to refurb or extend existing facilities.
Just playing devil's advocate here

It’s a great idea in principle other than a) Lossiemouth has a limited footprint, particularly to take even more large aircraft and b) anyone driving on the A15 past Waddington will note the large area of building works/plant area being set up. I guess they aren’t building a hotel.

[NAM Updater]

.... and b) anyone driving on the A15 past Waddington will note the large area of building works/plant area being set up. I guess they aren’t building a hotel.

Perhaps that's the new Air Ambulance facility - just a thought!

[ColintheCaterpillar]

.... and b) anyone driving on the A15 past Waddington will note the large area of building works/plant area being set up. I guess they aren’t building a hotel.

Perhaps that's the new Air Ambulance facility - just a thought!

To replace the one that might be in the way of a big hangar?

[NAM Updater]

Not sure, I was passing through and a bit bored of drafting Covid-Secure paperwork and thought I'd chip in!

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Not sure, I was passing through and a bit bored of drafting Covid-Secure paperwork and thought I'd chip in!

Looking forward to visiting again once your open!

[NAM Updater]

We're looking forward to being able to start welcoming people back - the current aim is for limited reopening of the Museum Shop in early June (assuming the non-essential retail guidelines don't change) - small steps and all that - still more paperwork and control measures to put in place!

[Thunder]

Having E-7 based at Waddington and P-8 at Lossie, wouldn’t be any different from when 51 Sqn flew Nimrod, all servicing and sim work was done at Kinloss.

[noelb1-b]

Forces TV have announced its going to be RAF Waddington 4 Hours ago

[reaper493]

ForcesTV are a bit late to the party then!

[big john]

Forces TV have announced its going to be RAF Waddington 4 Hours ago

That must be a repeat?
Original report was yesterday lunchtime.

[noelb1-b]

Me Bad