FighterControl

Good evening, looking at spending a day at Coningsby next week with my young family. Just need to confirm a few things while I'm planning the day.
As I'm driving from Stoke on trent I was wondering which day would be best, i know its hit and miss but my options are Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
Are there any facilities for the likes of food and toilets?.

Thanks for any help.
Wayne..

Sadly the only public toilets in Coningsby have been vandalised again and closed down, I think the burger van in the spotter's car park is back but where anyone goes to the toilet is anyone's guess (not to mention where anyone washes their hands afterwards).

You'd be best going to the WAVE (the viewing enclosure opposite the Vulcan at RAF Waddington on the A15) where there is a clean toilet and some rather good food. The base isn't as busy as Coningsby but the enclosure would be safer for kids and is well away from the road.

I hope that helps.

Thanks for that, what about any supermarkets, ie ASDA or Morrisons where toilets are open?.
My eldest is into fast jet photography so Coningsby is her preferred choice.

Whoppa722002 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 6:59 pm

Thanks for that, what about any supermarkets, ie ASDA or Morrisons where toilets are open?.
My eldest is into fast jet photography so Coningsby is her preferred choice.

I think the nearest supermarkets are in Boston or even Lincoln, Coningsby is a small(ish) village and only has 1, or maybe 2, small Spar/Co-op shops at the most which won't have public toilets.

I'm not local to the area as I live in Northants, but isn't there a toilet in the petrol station at the junction of A153 and B1192?

Regards, Steve

Mike wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 6:47 pm

You'd be best going to the WAVE (the viewing enclosure opposite the Vulcan at RAF Waddington on the A15) where there is a clean toilet and some rather good food. The base isn't as busy as Coningsby but the enclosure would be safer for kids and is well away from the road.

I hope that helps.

Seems strange, every other toilet in the country is out of bounds, but a burger van on the A15 is allowed to open theirs to the public!!

And dont worry about being called short when out and about around Coningsby, Lakenheath, Holbeach, Marham, Scampton, etc etc Ive taken my kids for nearly 30 years and where theres a will theres a way oh and packets and packets of wet wipes

Edit: just been informed the toilets in Coningsby village are now open again, for those that have never been behind a tree or even heard of wet wipes

Hi Wayne,

I was at Coningsby today and their was a lot of flying going on with plenty of Typhoons seen flying in the morning. The Spitfire and Hurricane also flew and another Spitfire was pulled out of the BOB hangar so was likely to fly after lunch. The car park was very full and the burger van was open. People were maintaining sensible social distancing, good to see. There is a supermarket at Tatershall by the village square, I haven't been in it so cannot say if it has loos. The Co-op supermarket in Coningsby is also open for business as well so plenty of options for drinks if needed. Talking to the man in the burger van, it has been very busy so far this week on the flying front. I hope you have a nice visit, I saw 34 Typhoons in total today so well pleased also did plenty of walking down the lanes whilst there.

Regards

Brian

Hi Brian,
We were at Coningsby yesterday too and it was great. The Spitfire that flew was AB920 and the Hurricane was LF363. The Wildcat that landed in the afternoon was ZZ386.

Was looking forward to the trip up tomorrow but after seeing the weather forecast not to sure now!!!!.
Still him who dares and all that.
Hoping to see a few take offs and landings so my daughter can stay interested. If anyone is there tomorrow any help with logs will be much appreciated as it's a new base for me and as always please say hi..
(Maroon ssangyong tourismo ending WDW).

There’s a small picnic area with a coffee bar and toilets on the A153 just east of tattershall bridge. My usual stop both on the way there and home - about 5 minutes from the base.

iainpeden wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:36 pm

There’s a small picnic area with a coffee bar and toilets on the A153 just east of tattershall bridge. My usual stop both on the way there and home - about 5 minutes from the base.

Can anyone confirm this is open??

To anyone in the know...after the first wave have taken off what time do they start to return and what time do the second wave depart, just trying to arrange a departure time from Stoke?.
Thanks again for the help.

Wayne,

Lately the first ones have been up between 9.30 and 10.15 and arrive back between 10.45 and 11.30 for 29 and 12 squadrons. 2nd wave is usually around 13.30-14.30 launches. 3/11/41 tend to be more sporadic and out for a longer period. Also depends if there is a tanker up, this week so far the first waves haven't had tanker support.

On a side note, three 11sqd jets took off around 8.30 today on a long range mission somewhere near Denmark. If you take a look at recent logs in the heads up section for coningsby that should also help.

I'd aim to arrive 9-9.15 if it was me!

Have a good day

Mike.

reaper493 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:57 pm

Wayne,

Lately the first ones have been up between 9.30 and 10.15 and arrive back between 10.45 and 11.30 for 29 and 12 squadrons. 2nd wave is usually around 13.30-14.30 launches. 3/11/41 tend to be more sporadic and out for a longer period. Also depends if there is a tanker up, this week so far the first waves haven't had tanker support.

On a side note, three 11sqd jets took off around 8.30 today on a long range mission somewhere near Denmark. If you take a look at recent logs in the heads up section for coningsby that should also help.

I'd aim to arrive 9-9.15 if it was me!

Have a good day

Mike.

Thanks Mike, extremely helpful. Appreciate that.

Just a quick update.
Had a brilliant day today, arrived at 9:30, just as the first wave were getting started, also had the pleasure of the Lancaster doing engine tests, what a sound.
Found the picnic area and so had no problems with the WC situation. Girls and Wife really enjoyed there day, even in the 31 degree heat. Left around 3:30pm after 36 Typhoons had hit the book. Really good facilities, plenty of parking space, great food van and how low are those Typhoons on landing!!. Will definitely be back.
Thanks to all for the information.

Popped round earlier, that picnic point is wonderful with clean facilities and friendly.
Coningsby and it's close facilities are a great way to spend a few hours, with close to a strong guarantee of activity.

There are toilets in the village main car park. These seem to be your best bet.

Unfortunately they were closed this morning

Think the village loo's have been closed some time, they were never the cleanest either.

reaper493 wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 25, 2020 1:24 pm

Think the village loo's have been closed some time, they were never the cleanest either.

Any port in a storm mate (when they are open)