Red Arrows New Base?

[baz1]

closing Scampton is all about bean counters trying to save money

[Snoop 95]

closing Scampton is all about bean counters trying to save money

If true, logic then says that the 'bean counters' will want a site that is shared by other RAF (or even other UK military) units.

[andrewn]

closing Scampton is all about bean counters trying to save money

If true, logic then says that the 'bean counters' will want a site that is shared by other RAF (or even other UK military) units.

The problem with Scampton is the bean counters have let it rot over the years and to bring it back upto a decent standard would take tens of millions.

[Vulcanone]

Apart from when the bean counters kept it running while the Red Arrows were based at Cranwell and flew back and forth to practice over Scampton 1995 to 2000.

And the Crash cover required went from one to the other daily

[Vulcan74]

Wonder what aircraft they will be using when the Hawk T1 retires the T2?

[Campbell89]

Wonder what aircraft they will be using when the Hawk T1 retires the T2?

Heard a rumour a while back that the tranche 1 Typhoons we’re being considered rather than them head to RTP / storage.

I think it stemmed from either a tv programme or social media post of someone in the Reds or Senior RAF in their office showing a Typhoon in the Red paint scheme.

Whilst it would be awesome, as with all rumours though it’s most likely a load of rubbish. I’d imagine the running costs of Typhoon would be extortionate compared to the Hawk.

[Vulcan74]

Now that would be a sight to see 9 x typhoons in red taking over, just like in the 60's with the Lightnings Firebirds display team!!

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Scampton would be the ideal permeant location, It would be nice if another flying unit like the UAS Grob wing at Wittering relocated to Scampton. Then giving the mod a good reason to keep Scampton open.

Not sure of the compatibility of Grobs and the Reds. I think the only way Wittering works as a solution is if there is very limited Tutor flying (ie UAS only, no EFT).

They spent an awful lot of money getting Wittering fit for the Tutor too.

[Agent K]

Wonder what aircraft they will be using when the Hawk T1 retires the T2?

Heard a rumour a while back that the tranche 1 Typhoons we’re being considered rather than them head to RTP / storage.

Wishful thinking!

Informal talks have been held with BAES on the Hawk T2, but given the life still left in the T1 fleet there was no need for immediate action.

[Campbell89]

Wishful thinking!

Informal talks have been held with BAES on the Hawk T2, but given the life still left in the T1 fleet there was no need for immediate action.

If I remember rightly, it was on the Red Arrows TV show where the model was shown. Wouldn’t surprise me if they put it in there to start rumours running!

[Vulcanone]

Not a chance in hens teeth of Tranche 1 Typhoons joining the Red Arrows as they are currently being used by either 29 Sqn for training.

Or 9 Sqn for the aggressors role, and at some point 12 Sqn will have the rest.

[Vulcanone]

Oh and the rest are currently in mothballs

[Sparts99]

Logistics of nine Typhoons would be pretty eye watering, and would they really be suited to the job of RAFAT? four maybe but not nine. Pipe dream anyway.

[C24]

If you read between the lines of the statement above by the RAF boss, isn't it being hinted that the Reds will have one F-35 leading a formation of 8 UAVs prior to the following stage of only UAVs being flown controlled spotty teenagers sitting in 40' containers located in an industrial estate in the East Midlands?

[SPERX]

For heaven's sake - lets try and keep this within the bounds of common sense. For God knows how long the Reds have been under threat in successive defence reviews, which in reality means on cost grounds. Nine Typhoons plus a spare is a ludicrous fantasy on cost grounds alone: and that is before you factor in the probability of them walking to nine, 8 starting, 7 taxying and at least one going u/s in the air.

I would imagine that, at best, they will soldier on with Hawk T1s until the entirety of the MoD's fleet of Hawk T1 is life expired. However, maybe even that is unrealistic given that one rationale for the Reds is to support UK overseas defence sales and we are no longer producing T1s and there seems to be little market for T2s.

I greatly admire the Reds and would wish to see them perpetuated and re-equipped in due course, but the sad reality is that in Whitehall the bean counters always prevail.

[Vulcan74]

Oh bring back yesterdays air force when we had loads of aircraft to choose from!!

[Campbell89]

For heaven's sake - lets try and keep this within the bounds of common sense. For God knows how long the Reds have been under threat in successive defence reviews, which in reality means on cost grounds. Nine Typhoons plus a spare is a ludicrous fantasy on cost grounds alone: and that is before you factor in the probability of them walking to nine, 8 starting, 7 taxying and at least one going u/s in the air.

Hence why I said ‘it’s most likely a load of rubbish’ in the first post I mentioned them... and also mentioned the cost would be extortionate.

[roughcutter]

Oh bring back yesterdays air force when we had loads of aircraft to choose from!!

There's always the Diamond Nine

[Nighthawke]

Not sure about Tiger Moths in red. Maybe trainer yellow but then you'd need a new name.

[reaper493]

Drove round Scampton this morning, most of the base housing is in great condition and looks in good nick. There were various community buildings and sports areas that also look great. The only worn down/closed buildings I could see were the old billet blocks, they did look a mess.

The hangars all looked fine as well, not in as bad condition as I thought it would be.