FighterControl

Called into Coningsby today for 1.5 hours. (10/6/13) This was around 13.00-14.30 hrs, at the mound & snack bar. Didn't seem much was going on, just one over fly by a Turcarno, and touch and go's by four local typhoons, and two take offs. Most of the spotters there were sitting in their cars, having nothing to do with each other, and very offish when talked to. Did talk to a couple of guys from Hull, & another couple of lads with an Yupiteru 7100 buzzing away. Walked over to the snack bar, and was greeted with not even an HELLO, just huddled together in ignorance. Guess the right TYPE of people were NOT there that day, to have a good chat with. . I did try and introduce myself, but they didn't want to know. If the spotters were more welcoming, I may have stayed longer, so it was a whizz around the BOBMF, then make my way home. I did stop at Rothwell for a coffee, and listern in to Mil air traffic for 45mins, which is about 10 miles from home.

To sum up in two sentences, I am very disappointed in the spotters at coningsby and the way they treat new arrivals, without even an Hello how are you. And the way the huddle around the snack bar, just not been bothered of who is around them. I am sorry if I have offended anyone, but that is how I feel, I would talk to any newcomer or spotter anytime, and give my time of day. If you saw me, yes I was the one in the blue Fiesta, and the flight jacket, next time come up and have a CHAT.

Note: I see from the post that some Fighter control members were there that day.

Everybody has an opinion, what type of response would you like?

airfixpilot wrote:. Did talk to a couple of guys from Hull, & another couple of lads with an Yupiteru 7100 buzzing away.

WOT!

there are more people from Hull on here apart from the odd few I know about .

And they sport a yupi

WIsh I had come across myself now.
nothing like chatting with the "locals" whilst out doing a bit of spotting.

Shame that no one spoke Airfix. Mind you. I do notice a lot of people on here seem to have been meeting for a while. I remember being over a coningsby down near one of the crash gates (down past the housing estate). spent a good 4/5 hours there with my daughter and my father in law. Then saw , what I would say are the more "hardcore" enthusiast arrive , set themselves up and then disappear after about half an hour or so. This was back in March. (god its been a while )

Sometimes it can be tricky , as a novice to pipe up and ask / speak to others - TBH , I am still like this as I don't want to come across "thick" to others and be made a mockery of. Maybe this has something to do with it?

Maybe we should set up a "novice" / entry level spotter meet with some of the more prominent figures on here. that way it can be a good social event and educational all at the same time. maybe learn a trick or two?

Re Grave Digger commet. Maybe a more welcoming attitude from people, or maybe the spotters who ARE on Fighter Control, who I have never met in person, should come forward, and talk to others more. Harking back to merchandise in a previous forum on here (still active), by dodge I think, Members should wear some kind of ID so we could promote FC in a positive way, eg patches/baseball caps with logos. Sharing information with what is going on at Coningsby. I had one chap who approached me, who was new to the hobby, asking about the type of scanner I was using, as He was intrested in buying one. I did point him the right direction for airband comms/ civil and military. He was very happy I helped him, and thanked me. Thats the kind of response I like.

I'm on here. I rarely say who I am if I speak to people, which I rarely do anyway. Some of us just prefer to keep ourselves to ourselves

airfixpilot wrote: I had one chap who approached me, who was new to the hobby, asking about the type of scanner I was using, as He was intrested in buying one. I did point him the right direction for airband comms/ civil and military. He was very happy I helped him, and thanked me. Thats the kind of response I like.

was this yesterday??

Chancing my arm a little here - but I remember last year speaking to someone at the entrance to the wave - was on a motorcycle - I asked that same question. Would be good to know if he is one here.

Avro85 wrote:

airfixpilot wrote: I had one chap who approached me, who was new to the hobby, asking about the type of scanner I was using, as He was intrested in buying one. I did point him the right direction for airband comms/ civil and military. He was very happy I helped him, and thanked me. Thats the kind of response I like.

was this yesterday??

Chancing my arm a little here - but I remember last year speaking to someone at the entrance to the wave - was on a motorcycle - I asked that same question. Would be good to know if he is one here.

i think novices get confused by some people! sinse when was coningsby a fighter town??? always thought it was a village

baz1 wrote: i think novices get confused by some people! sinse when was coningsby a fighter town??? always thought it was a village

I take it you're not from Lincolnshire or get there very much??

grave digger wrote:Everybody has an opinion, what type of response would you like?

Sorry David just take Gaz's name off that list i sent you lol

And heres me telling this chap just how friendly you are down there Gaz

Come on mate, we've all pulled up to strange airbase and been treated like we'd just walked into the local pub in Royston Vasey or it that just me that happens to lol

I think all David is asking for is a nod and an hello just to break the ice

Avro85 wrote:

baz1 wrote: i think novices get confused by some people! sinse when was coningsby a fighter town??? always thought it was a village

I take it you're not from Lincolnshire or get there very much??

no i guess i'm not! but maybe longer than you???just live tens mins from scampton 20 mins from waddo

I don't think there's any need for cynicism or sniping here chaps , Coningsby has been known as "Fighter town" for an awful long time, and I actually think that if all the 'suburbs' were added on then yes it's more of a small town than a large village.

Fighter Town sound like an CB nick-name of a place, when on citizen band radio. I know from years ago Killingholme used to be called Refinery town, Immingham used to be Dixie?? & Grimsby Fish town....LOL

Joking apart, I believe I am right in saying that Coningsby achieved "Town" status some years ago,
by virtue much endevour by the local council.

John.

Come on mate, we've all pulled up to strange airbase and been treated like we'd just walked into the local pub in Royston Vasey

Coningsby, a local base, for local people. . To be fair its a bit unfriendly at times but if you find another non-local you can have a good chat. Manys the time I have a decent view at the end past the gate and someone parks blocking the view (and sometimes gate) then walks off to talk to the gang. Still its one of the perils of visiting "fighter-village".

I've found the 'locals' I've met OK - nice bunch. Maybe I'm just a bit more outgoing than some as I will march up to them, introduce myself and exchange some pleasantry or joke. From part of this thread I wonder if on days I've not been there they sit around in bib overalls, chewing baccy, playing the banjo and on seeing an unfamiliar spotter exclaim
'Looks like we've got another fresh one, boys....'

Steve

Sorry to hear about this airfixpilot, hopefully next time you're there you'll bump into some of the friendlier coningsby factions who will happily talk to you (like the 1192 crew ) . . . . but watch out for the reedham lane mob - they're a very shifty bunch of renegades and as for the flyingslug, well, avoid at ALL costs!!

jakdaw wrote:

Come on mate, we've all pulled up to strange airbase and been treated like we'd just walked into the local pub in Royston Vasey

Coningsby, a local base, for local people. . To be fair its a bit unfriendly at times but if you find another non-local you can have a good chat. Manys the time I have a decent view at the end past the gate and someone parks blocking the view (and sometimes gate) then walks off to talk to the gang. Still its one of the perils of visiting "fighter-village".

now come on jakdaw you know its a" town not a village" lol

baz1 wrote:

Avro85 wrote:

baz1 wrote: i think novices get confused by some people! sinse when was coningsby a fighter town??? always thought it was a village

I take it you're not from Lincolnshire or get there very much??

no i guess i'm not! but maybe longer than you???just live tens mins from scampton 20 mins from waddo

Point taken

no hard feelings Baz

So Captain, no duelling banjos down Reedham Lane then..................

baz1 wrote:

jakdaw wrote:

Come on mate, we've all pulled up to strange airbase and been treated like we'd just walked into the local pub in Royston Vasey

Coningsby, a local base, for local people. . To be fair its a bit unfriendly at times but if you find another non-local you can have a good chat. Manys the time I have a decent view at the end past the gate and someone parks blocking the view (and sometimes gate) then walks off to talk to the gang. Still its one of the perils of visiting "fighter-village".

now come on jakdaw you know its a" town not a village" lol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coningsby

"fighter-village" or "fighter-parish"