Any comments on the Sentinel's retirment last Friday

[Rhubarb]

Another asset less to enjoy lads ! Must be sad for the 5 squadron crews. Are they to disband or be shipped off to Kinloss to join the Physidon team ? It only seems to be five minutes since they were on the static display at Waddinton air show. Their new joint services crew proudly giving us anoraks the basic gen on their theatre of look down evaluation. Is their system so outdated already or is Physidon's endurance the major factor ?
One question still haunts me ?
Why did we spend so much brass on extending Waddingtons runway lenght ? Was it so the Arrows could have their de brief chat whilst rolling down to their apron parking thus enabling a quick getaway at knock off ? Or was there a more sensible less synical real reason
Stay Covid free

Cheers

[Nighthawke]

Poseidon, or P-8 if it makes it easier.

[slogen51]

I hope in the future the 5 Squadon Maple leaf appears on another manned aircraft type - maybe a Lightning Squadron!

Are the Red Arrows formally moving to Waddington or is it a temporary relocation?
After all Waddo is a lot of airfield to keep open for three or four Rivet joints when the E-3D retires and 8 Squadron move to Lossiemouth with the E-7

[Fighterfoto]

The runway was extended for Rivet Joint I believe. And moving forwards, the station will still have the Reds, Shadow and 16 new Protectors. It’s also host to the ISTAR Force HQ, Air & Space Warfare Centre and will have a new synthetic training facility called Gladiator among other non-flying units. So Waddington airfield is secure.

[Vulcan74]

Are the Red Arrows formally moving to Waddington or is it a temporary relocation?
After all Waddo is a lot of airfield to keep open for three or four Rivet joints when the E-3D retires and 8 Squadron move to Lossiemouth with the E-7
[/quote]

They are at Waddington for two weeks to evaluate all aspects of operating out the base for when they move in 2022!

[reaper493]

The runway was extended for Rivet Joint mainly, but the E3 and sentinel have been using the extra bit on occasions at the A15 end, using taxiway 'Zulu'.
The RJs still can't take off fully loaded even with the extension, for a full mission they need support from Mildenhall. If they don't receive tanker support, they are on station over the Baltic's for a max of an hour which almost makes it pointless I feel.

The Shadows are always pretty busy, but only one has been operating from Waddington most of this week with the other 5 elsewhere. I got the impression at least one or two pilots were not happy with the extra faffing that the Reds brought, as they had to cut short their training on a few occasions due to them returning shortly. Not sure how it will work when the full contingent of 8 Shadows is active.

The Sentinel was originally meant to be scrapped in 2015, as the reason it was required into service was almost gone. As such, for the past 6 years, there has been no money spent on it and with only minimal crew being transferred to type due to the constantly lingering retirement date, which got pushed back a number of times. Hopefully the crews will enjoy their next type, whether it be Shadows, P8s RJ, Protectors or Wedgetails, or evens desks....

Mike

[Alf]

Another asset less to enjoy lads ! Must be sad for the 5 squadron crews. Are they to disband or be shipped off to Kinloss to join the Physidon team ? It only seems to be five minutes since they were on the static display at Waddinton air show. Their new joint services crew proudly giving us anoraks the basic gen on their theatre of look down evaluation. Is their system so outdated already or is Physidon's endurance the major factor ?
One question still haunts me ?
Why did we spend so much brass on extending Waddingtons runway lenght ? Was it so the Arrows could have their de brief chat whilst rolling down to their apron parking thus enabling a quick getaway at knock off ? Or was there a more sensible less synical real reason
Stay Covid free

Cheers

Kinloss?... it's now an army barracks.. maybe your thinking of Lossie..

[MRob]

Hi,
Does anyone know if the sentinels are outside or if not, likely to be before being scrapped?
Many thanks for any info

[reaper493]

Two of them were out this week, they were both 'shiny' ones ruling out 693 as being one of them. I think it will be 694 and 691 but can't confirm. They can be seen from the A15, and probably from the crash gate at the 02 end, but reading them off is impossible I'd say.

5 sqd have been doing engines runs on at least one jet this week, so will see what happens....

Mike

[Unknown74]

Another "Interesting" decision by the Fox Era MoD, driven by Osbourne and Alexander - (This is the toned down version).

[Vulcanone]

Another "Interesting" decision by the Fox Era MoD, driven by Osbourne and Alexander - (This is the toned down version).

Just because they announced it was going it was clearly wrong as they kept it in service long after those two had gone......

[Vulcan74]

The RAF for me was the late 60's 70's & 80's in it's hey day! The Sentinel went way to soon in my opinion with all the money spent on it.

[reaper493]

2 more a/c had engine runs today, makes me think there will be a final flight.

[Vulcan74]

Maybe a final flypast over Waddington's 5 squadron hangar!

[Harrywort17]

I visited Waddo today at 1300, and all 5 sentinels were outside. One, I heard was subsequently re hangared.

H

[Northolt24]

Is anyone able to confirm what one has been hangred had a drive past earlier on this afternoon the two identified were.

ZJ692 up by the E-3s & ZJ693 in the line up of three if anyone can identify the other two would be much appreciated.

Mtia.

Kevin Williams.

[Harrywort17]

I believe 691 is the one now back in the hangar, as this was parked on the same ramp as 692.

H

[reaper493]

Ascot 1357 A109 GZ100 landed at Waddo today around 12.30, direct from Northolt, and is still here, currently parked on Alpha taxi way.

Presumably to do with the 5 sqd disbandment. There was a noise embargo in place until 1400z - not sure what time it started.

I guess our chances of a farewell flypast before retirement have gone.

Maybe some will flyout to another location for scrapping? Doubtful!!

[plmc135]

Great pity they cannot be converted back into normal Global Express standard as they would then be perfect replacements for 32 Sqn.

[SpilsbyPete]

Guys

What's the latest on these
Which one is in the hangar and are the rest still outside
I still need ZJ693

Thanks in advance
Pete