Yorknight 2020

[FergiZA600]

Trust me it was bad & totally regretted going most days. My advice is spend the morning at Durham Tees Valley airport and then head to Leeming on the afternoon around 13:00. At least you will see stuff at Durham Tees Valley unlike Leeming as there won't be any other visiting aircraft while the Ex is on.

[MiG_Eater]

I'll take my chances in the morning at Leeming. Hawk T.1s are getting fewer and fewer!

I guess it'll be pretty busy with spotters as the day goes on anyway?

[mdobuk21]

The swiss hardly flew in the mornings. They kicked off around half 2 and were out around an hour and a half. There were possibly 2 further sorties late afternoon and mid evening.

[David Thompson]

RAF Leeming announced the viewing area was open again, 6th October.

Thanks for confirming

I've been told that the viewing area is closed today and was yesterday too .

[tony54321]

Enjoy your trip, Mig_eater.
Of course with any military exercise you take the risk of not seeing anything but from seeing the Swiss the two previous years at Leeming and Lossie I think it’s worth the trip. It’s not often you get see Hornets in action. Flying isn’t everyday so it’s difficult to work out a regular flying pattern.
If the viewing area is open, it’ll only be open office hours anyway!
There’s plenty of places to park without inconveniencing the locals.
Going to Teesside on the morning is a good shout, you’ll normally see the Cobham falcons and a few military PDs, and it’s only 15 minutes drive down to Leeming to see the afternoon action.

[MiG_Eater]

Cheers Tony. Despite being a keen spotter i've never been to Leeming before so any advice on viewing positions would be appreciated.

I've seen the map on pb-photos (linked on FC) but more specifics would be great if anyone has recommendations and example pics. Also local facilities (toilets, food etc) would be good to know!

The chance of seeing nothing is all part of the fun with this hobby... at the very least I hope to see the Mirage IV at Elvington!

[Evergreen 44]

Cheers Tony. Despite being a keen spotter i've never been to Leeming before so any advice on viewing positions would be appreciated.

I've seen the map on pb-photos (linked on FC) but more specifics would be great if anyone has recommendations and example pics. Also local facilities (toilets, food etc) would be good to know!

The chance of seeing nothing is all part of the fun with this hobby... at the very least I hope to see the Mirage IV at Elvington!

Shell Garage at Coneygarth to the North should suffice
Try DL7 9DD

[tony54321]

To be honest viewing at Leeming can be a bit restricted especially compared to the likes of Coningsby or Lakenheath. Last year the Swiss were tucked up in the HAS so ground movements are best seen from the viewing area or the quiet road between Leeming and Londonderry villages. You will however get great arrival or departure views from either end or the runway.
If you walk south through Londonderry village it leads to an elevated footpath with good views for 34 approaches.
On the north end there’s narrow road that leads to a sewage works, there’s enough room for a few cars down there, you can’t see much of the base from there but you’ll get some good views of the departures or arrivals.
As for toilets etc, just go across to Junction 51 services or Leeming Bar services on the Bedale road.

[mdobuk21]

Dont park all the way down in the sewage works as some cars have been locked in before! Also be careful when parking near the lights at that end as trucks are coming back forth to the scrap yard!

Mark

[65thAgressor]

Well that's that then,lockdown so no visit to leeming.

[Petepilot]

Well that's that then,lockdown so no visit to leeming.

I cursed the news for the same reason!

[verreli]

Has the deployment been officially cancelled or could it operate in a Leeming bubble? I'm guessing accomodation is on-site?

[FergiZA600]

If no support arrives by Wednesday then it must be cancelled. Not heard from the Swiss for a few weeks but I had the 6th down for the FA-18's arriving.

[65thAgressor]

To clarify my post above.I would not be able to visit leeming for the swiss deployment. I do think the visit of the swiss will still take place.

[f-4]

Yorknite commences on 23rd Nov, so expect the jets the Friday before.

[Unknown74]

Just out of interest, I've not been to Leeming for a few years now, is there still a viewing area and is there not a pub nearby?

[Mustang531]

If there is a pub, it's going to be closed for four weeks minimum due to the lock down. Nothing will reopen until 3rd December at the earliest.

[verreli]

Yorknite commences on 23rd Nov, so expect the jets the Friday before.

Has the date changed? Scramble still has it as 09-20 Nov.

[tony54321]

Yorknite commences on 23rd Nov, so expect the jets the Friday before.

Thanks F-4. The 23rd would make sense as there’s been no press release from Leeming with the usual noise warnings.

[f-4]

It's from the detachment commander, but he did say they are still awaiting MoD clearance.