Greetings

[Beaufighter]

Hello, my name is Wayne and I'm a long time aviation fanatic from Rotherham, (for 48 of my 55 years) but only got into spotting and photography in the last 5 years or so. Yes, yes, I have missed SOOOO much in my time and don't I know it! I think I'm making up for lost time however and have built up a fair collection of pics. I do civil as well as military and I need to get myself to some different bases while they are there. My mil spotting has so far been done at Coningsby, Waddington, Marham, Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Yeaovilton and Cosford including airshows.

I shoot with a Canon 6D II and my preferred lenses are the Canon 100-400 L II, Sigma 70-200 S and 15-600C. I m sure I'll think of more to tell you as I settle in.

Cheers guys

[Dave934]

Welcome !!!
Dave.

[Tiger 1]

Hi Wayne

I'm sure you will enjoy the forum as much as we all do... Its a great forum full of friendly people with a vast knowledge of all things aviation... from spotting, serials, photography and more.

If you have any questions or need help... just ask... I'm sure the guys on here will be able and happy to help.

I'm a spotter myself, first putting pen to the note pad in 1983 at the International Air Tattoo at Greenham Common here in the UK.

Enjoy your journey around the forum... please remember... you will need to make just 5 posts to be able to access all the areas on the forum.

Tim

[Beaufighter]

Thank you. There is one burning question if I may, betraying my level of newb, I'm sure. But with USAF serials, is there a trick to knowing which digits are missing from the airframe, or do you just have to look them up? Trying to log my USAF spots has given me the biggest headache.

[paddyboy]

Hi Wayne

Welcome aboard the friendly aviation forum

Paddyboy

[Mike]

Thank you. There is one burning question if I may, betraying my level of newb, I'm sure. But with USAF serials, is there a trick to knowing which digits are missing from the airframe, or do you just have to look them up? Trying to log my USAF spots has given me the biggest headache.

Welcome to FC Wayne, can you post some examples of which serials you are having problems with and we'll be able to give you the full serials.
Also, this site is excellent for explaining the serial presentations on US mil aircraft :- http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/usafserials.html

[Beaufighter]

Thanks Mike, its specifically the F-22's that visited Lakenheath in April 2016. I'm just working through the folder. For example 05-4107 just displays 05-107 on the tail and I thought how do I decode which digits need to be added ? The CV-22's based at Mildenhall at that time would also be useful as I have a few but don't know the complete serials.

[Mike]

This is when the Joe Baugher site comes in handy for finding the full serial, if you go into the site and scroll down to the 2005 serial numbers then you'll find that F22 batch in there. I'm sure one of the locals could help with the Mildenhall MV-22s if you can post the last part of the serials.

[Macclad51]

Hi Wayne,
The full list of CV-22s that have been based at Mildenhall as far as I’m aware is:-
07-0033
09-0042
09-0046
08-0047
08-0050
08-0051
10-0052
11-0057
11-0058
11-0059
11-0060
11-0061
12-0062
12-0063
12-0064
12-0065

They only carry the last 4 of the serial on the vertical stab, but recently the full serial has also been displayed on the rear fuselage.

Hope this helps

Steve

[Nighthawke]

Wayne - this thread for Mildenhall should help with the Ospreys. There are 9 pages going back to 2011 but it should all be there somewhere.

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=27186

There is also this section for posting queries with which you need help. Once you get familiar with the various sections it should be easier to find things. Above all don't be afraid to ask as there are plenty of knowledgeable and helpful people on here.

Edit - as I post I see Steve has posted the CV-22s for you, but my post still stands.

[Beaufighter]

Thanks for the replies. Thats all incredibly helpful. I should have asked four years ago ! :-D

[Tiger 1]

Well you know where we are now Wayne... Glad you like the forum and the help these guys can give... they've helped me out no end of times over the years.

Enjoy the forum and welcone to our family once again.

T1

[John flightpath]

Welcome to the forum Wayne. This is one of the very best forums available and we are all here to help one another. Same as you I do civil and MIL, I am a spotter and photograher ( well I have a camera lol). Enjoy.

John 'flightpath'.