Thank you RAF Cottesmore

[jakdaw]

Heard on the radio, that yesterday RAF Cottesmore stood down as an RAF base and was handed back to MOD. Sad news, but a good time to reflect on the "old days" all the good times stood by the crash gate on that sharp bend. Saw my first foreign aircraft there thanks to TTTE, caught many visiting GAF Transalls, got into a couple of their family days, my only two RIATs and of course some Harrier action. So lets not get into the politics and just say RAF Cottesmore thanks for the memories.

[MarkL]

Your reflection is so similar to my memories except as a local lad (and probably older), I can remember back to Vulcans, Canberras, Argosies too. Oh my, what a place.

MarkL

[reheat module]

Always was one of my favourite spots to visit.
At the fence by the 22 Threshold, waiting for the distinctive sound of the Pegasus to start and then watching as the aircraft did the long taxi down to the hockey stick and up the incline to hold before departure.
A real 'togs dream spot.
It was normally a very active station too, - I remember seeing a launch and recovery with 10 in circuit.
That fatefull day in December 11 must have brought a lump to the throat.

[Tiger Tim]

The day after the Harriers went out of service my (now retired) boss came into my work bay and stated now that the Harrier had gone I would be spending more time at work and now wasting my time on the fence.

So Sorry Boss, I'm going Coningsby next week.

I have been travelling to Cottesmore since 1982 watching the TTTE's Tornados and the JHF' Harriers.

I have visited over the years all the TTTE squadron's, first with the Scouts under the guidence of the late Geoff Roberts and later with the Friends of The Red Arrows and Andy Hayward. Later it was No,1 (F), 3 (F) and IV (AC) Squadrons RAF and in 2010 No.800 NAS.

I'm going to miss sitting in the fence awaiting fo the jets to take off or return into the circuit and my chats with Charles catching up with the Harrier operations.

Thank you Cottesmore for giving me many happy memories to treasure.

[cottesmore09]

Very sad to see Cottesmore go .... I was brought up with aircraft circuiting over my Village and veiwing everything from my Garden.. Too younge to really remember the TTTE days but i do remember RIAT..... Got me into aviation and will never be forgotten.

Thanks and goodbye

[stigorige]

I'll miss Cott as well.
What is Charles doing with himself these days, he was a real fixture by the crashgate...
Cheers, Stig.

[Dan214sqn]

il always remember that cold december day when the harrier did its last flypasts, so glad i can say i was there at the harriers farewell

[Unknown74]

I can tell you now that if there are 3 bases which I never really had any luck at when I was passing they were, Cottesmore (had friends who lived near by only stopped once - ON A SUNDAY ), Wittering (have never had much luck stopping outside due to the busy and dangerous M1 - definately have to try and contact someone to see the Harrier Heritage Centre if possible) and Coltishall (Did pass in 1988 and saw about 3 or 4 Jaguars one parked in the HAS Area and 3 taxiing but in those days I didn't know about the vantage points)

[GOOSE]

TTTE days for me were my strongest recollections of Cottesmore.

[cottesmore09]

il always remember that cold december day when the harrier did its last flypasts, so glad i can say i was there at the harriers farewell

Same here mate, pictures to keep in a safe place!

[Maverick231]

Its a great shame it had to happen like this, there was so much left, I attended RIAT at RAF Cottesmore and to me they were without a doubt the best RIAT's iv ever been to.
For one it was closer to Derby than RAF Fairford is and we had all the Harrier displays in the static wich was an added bonus.
Shes cirtainly done her fair share of surving her country along with the mighty fleet of Harriers that will also be greatly missed.
For me though her name will never change, thank you RAF Cottesmore!

[cottesmore09]

Its a great shame it had to happen like this, there was so much left, I attended RIAT at RAF Cottesmore and to me they were without a doubt the best RIAT's iv ever been to.
For one it was closer to Derby than RAF Fairford is and we had all the Harrier displays in the static wich was an added bonus.
Shes cirtainly done her fair share of surving her country along with the mighty fleet of Harriers that will also be greatly missed.
For me though her name will never change, thank you RAF Cottesmore!

I agree with Cottesmore hosting one of the best RIAT's over the 2 years, not only was it because its 4 miles down the road from me but also it is central to everyone in the UK so on average its easier to get to for everyone, special enthusiasts from up north, also had far less traffic issues. I miss Cottesmore and the Harriers every day.

Atleast at the moment we get the odd GR4 do a fly through, the Vulcan has been quite a regular over the past two summers and some low level C-130's

But nothing is the same!

Thanks, Cott09

[Blackcat1]

Had many happy days at Cottesmore with the TTTE and the Harrier squadrons based there. Coltishall too, even a couple of base visits there when French Mirage 2000Ds were there on exchange, my 2 favourite bases to spot and take pictures. Those certainly were the days . Just glad i got the memories!