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Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Please post movements and activities to do with RAF Wittering & RAF Cottesmore here
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neilscott
Posts: 531
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Location: Worksop Notts

Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by neilscott » Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:03 pm

nigelblake wrote:Maybe these people would like to be open for business on the day!
http://www.rutlandcaravanandcamping.co.uk/fees.html
Spent many a happy hour at this site with the van, Im sure it would be worth there while to use it as a car park for the day for a small charge, The only disadvantage is the single track access road :S
Neil :(

Doughnut
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by Doughnut » Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:10 pm

C24 wrote:I don't see OUR problem as one of parking, more that once we have parked, sensibly off-road on the verge, one person photographs each vehicle and everyone receives a fine, etc. Call it a charge for parking!
On the day just act as sensibly as you have already done when spotting. We are not students.
I am sure that the JHF people would like the day to go well, even though they are being fired.
We all wish them the best.
End of lecture
C24
Not lecturing C24 and you make valid point. With respect to parking on the verge, surely that is not illeagle unless it is signed as such, which I dont believe it currently is.

Sadly I posted last month expecting this response...
Doughnut wrote:lets hope nobody upsets the local landowners or police and we suddenly see the only car parking area closed off.
The real problem we face is the that event is well know in advance which means the police can plan and it will be seen as an easy target to raise money in parking fines. The base will not care what happens on the roads outside the base. Most RAF personel not flying or fixing planes will be running around, white washing stones, polishing door knobs and standing to attention, in order to please the vast number of the great and good high ranking chief of staffs who will be desending on Cottesmores for the grand p*ss up.
The real agony is that those same 'chiefs' drinking the fine wines and taking the salutes will still have a job this time next year when some of the airmen / women will not.
Paul

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LN Strike Eagle
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by LN Strike Eagle » Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:22 pm

Aren't the Wittering Harriers due to arrive at Cottesmore on Thursday?

Neil D
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by Neil D » Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:24 pm

DamienB wrote:Wittering had a 4-ship out this morning, all back in by 1130 or so; they tried to fly an 8-ship in the afternoon but sounds like several went tech so they scrubbed. Saw two of the single seaters in the distance from the A1 and both had the 4 Sqn special tail - I thought only one was painted up like that.

I understand a full 16 ship rehearsal is on the cards for Friday, out of Cottesmore.
Surrounding diversion airfields went red Damien.

Neil

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LN Strike Eagle
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by LN Strike Eagle » Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:42 pm

DamienB wrote:both had the 4 Sqn special tail - I thought only one was painted up like that.
There were two I saw at airshows this summer - ZG858 (Fairford) and ZD330 (Dunsfold). I think the spare at Dunsfold had the tail too - might have been '858.

Shot on UKAR a couple of weeks back shows that '858 has gained a Sqn crest and "1970 - 2010' titles on the tail too.

f-4
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by f-4 » Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:01 pm

Okay - latest plan in a very fluid situation is thus:

Tomorrow - no flying from Cottesmore, 8-ship from Wittering @ 1330;

Thursday - Harriers depart Wittering for Cottesmore @ 1300ish but only if Cotty runway is serviceable (needs to be warmer than -5C)

Friday - Dress rehearsal for 16-ship from Cottesmore.

Monday - Sorties in the morning, special tails sortie in afternoon for piccies. No low-level though.

Tuesday - NO FLYING

Weds - The big day, weather permitting.

Will probably change by tomorrow evening...

f-4
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by f-4 » Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:20 pm

No Cottesmore ops planned...

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Blackcat1
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by Blackcat1 » Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:50 pm

So the Harriers wont be going through the Mach loop for 1 last waltz!!!! :'(
Gareth

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Flour Power
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by Flour Power » Tue Dec 07, 2010 7:01 pm

Blackcat1 wrote:So the Harriers wont be going through the Mach loop for 1 last waltz!!!! :'(
Gutted. Have taken Monday and Tuesday off work for a last hurrah! Oh well......
:'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Unleashing the awesome power of flour!

skeggy

Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by skeggy » Tue Dec 07, 2010 7:02 pm

Anyone care to hazard a guess as to what time they're likely to hit Coningsby,
Thank's
skeggy.

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LN Strike Eagle
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by LN Strike Eagle » Tue Dec 07, 2010 7:41 pm

Thanks for the info Gary. Monday looks OK ops wise then, just need to cross fingers for the weather. Re the special tails - are there any new ones to be revealed? Also heard rumours of a retro jet in GR1 camo...?

As a matter of interest, how many Harriers are currently stationed at Wittering?

KarlADrage
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by KarlADrage » Tue Dec 07, 2010 8:02 pm

DamienB wrote: Big thanks to Gary for sharing his info.
+1 :thumbs:

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Flour Power
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by Flour Power » Tue Dec 07, 2010 8:24 pm

Does anyone know whether the apparent parking restrictions apply all week or just on Wednesday please?

Echo the thanks to Gary for the excellent info.

Thank you.
Unleashing the awesome power of flour!

hedgerowops
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by hedgerowops » Tue Dec 07, 2010 8:46 pm

Many thank's Gary for takeing the time and trouble to give all of us an idea of event's :clap: :clap:
Chris

shaggie

Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by shaggie » Tue Dec 07, 2010 8:55 pm

Thank you Mr P :thumb:

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Blackcat1
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by Blackcat1 » Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:20 pm

Cant believe there will be no more Harrier in just a weeks time!!! :-(
Gareth

6 Sqdn Canopeners
Oculi exercitus
Blackcats remembered
Jaguar Force Excellance! 2nd July 07.

garethbrum

Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by garethbrum » Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:31 pm

KarlADrage wrote:
DamienB wrote: Big thanks to Gary for sharing his info.
+1 :thumbs:
+2 - cheers Gary.

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zacwatson
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by zacwatson » Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:34 pm

f-4 wrote:Okay - latest plan in a very fluid situation is thus:

Tomorrow - no flying from Cottesmore, 8-ship from Wittering @ 1330;

Thursday - Harriers depart Wittering for Cottesmore @ 1300ish but only if Cotty runway is serviceable (needs to be warmer than -5C)

Friday - Dress rehearsal for 16-ship from Cottesmore.

Monday - Sorties in the morning, special tails sortie in afternoon for piccies. No low-level though.

Tuesday - NO FLYING

Weds - The big day, weather permitting.

Will probably change by tomorrow evening...
Is there 100% NO FLYING at Cottesmore tomorrow (08/12/2010), like no planes taking off or landing etc?
Canon 500D
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KarlADrage
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by KarlADrage » Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:43 pm

The airfield's still not reopened, Zac, as I understand it (and isn't expected to before Thursday, at the earliest).

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zacwatson
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Re: Harriers Final goodbye happenings (updated)

Post by zacwatson » Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:50 pm

oh I never realised it had closed. Thanks Karl.
Canon 500D
Canon 18-55mm IS
Canon 50mm F1.8
Canon 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS USM
Grecom PSR-295

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zacwatsonphotography/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.airfighters.com/photosearch.php?phgid=4155" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

vWg Cdr of 99Sqn at http://www.vRAF.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; on VATSIM

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