Having only been aware of this until a few years ago, I was wondering if anybody could fill me In as to who started it, where the idea came from and any anecdotes regarding the forum.
Just out of Curiosity

I too would love to hear more about this fabulous forum.
Morning, Lee is absolutely correct in naming Jon H as the creator of the site back in the day, also Rick Sleight was very much involved in the early days to as were a few others whose names escape me.
Hi Glenn, there's certainly been some well know faces came and gone on from the forum(s)
Ah I remember the Viggen going into Cranwell now, I never went unfortunately. Yes Terry always had time for a conversation and some of his stories were amazing, such a nice fella whenever our paths crossed. I share your sentiment regarding Tim’s post.blakey wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:09 pmHi Glenn, there's certainly been some well know faces came and gone on from the forum(s)
I think Graham (ursa major/Thor) still posts from time to time. I will be always be eternally greatful for Andys (Boff180) heads up about the Viggen eventually heading to Cranwell, after we all left for home. His heads up gave me time to head back and catch it land for the last time. Shame he jumped ship really.
Always saw and spoke to Terry at Coningsby back in the day (not seen him for years tho) (hope Tims post about passing family members wasn't referring to his dad)
Like yourself, alot of names to name but it has been over 20
Ps are you Glenn B from Doncaster?
25 yrs and it's still the best aviation forum on the netJon Harrowing wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:25 pmIt's all my fault... I started FIGHTER CONTROL back in 2000, then it was just a Military Aircraft News website... before adding the forum!
Ay up Jon, hope alls well mate long time no see!! Haha, look what you created!!Jon Harrowing wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:25 pmIt's all my fault... I started FIGHTER CONTROL back in 2000, then it was just a Military Aircraft News website... before adding the forum!
I got the car sticker!CLPSLFBT wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:48 amMorning, Lee is absolutely correct in naming Jon H as the creator of the site back in the day, also Rick Sleight was very much involved in the early days to as were a few others whose names escape me.
Both Lee and myself were around as well back then! (and no doubt a few more on here) and the site was alot smaller in content . Originally when first conceived it was mainly for our “ local” bases and establishments around Lincolnshire as that’s where the creators were from and a lot of the time the reliance was on the old “ Tom Tom” drums and hearsay.
The site expanded somewhat to include the East Anglian bases and had an excellent contributor in the name of Milairman , The late Neville Vickerstaff who had his own site for all things Lakenheath. Eventually Nev shut his site down and alot of content was incorporated into FC and it went on from there really.
Bearing in mind back then there weren’t that many sites around the FC site continued to grow and grow. I can remember Air Scene Uk, UKAR amongst a couple of other sites as well as The Leeming group who used to email Daily/ weekly goings on.
FC started as a small “local” site for us around Lincs but as popularity grew it kinda snowballed and got bigger and bigger as time progressed and to what it is now.
I myself kinda took a step back from the world of Forums and the hobby etc when Jon sold up but for me it was personal reasons, you know, new family, new jobs , new priorities and no time to nip to the local airfield ! Same as a lot of folk as life goes on……. I always seemed to come back though just for a quick peek.
There’s been plenty of changes since the original concept, some good some not so good but on the whole it’s still probably the main go to place for info etc and thanks to the excellent team behind the scenes now and the fantastic contributions and info from the many many forum members who are a godsend for a lot of us and make the site what it is today
, hopefully this will continue especially with todays ever changing hundred mile an hour world we live in.![]()
I think Lee is the only person I remember from the early days ( did you ever get an FC car sticker?) although Terry ( Tripplex) was a great photo contributor as well as was Any Evan’s ( Boff180) who always contributed some great content
I’ve probably missed big chunks out and not mentioned a lot more people and I apologise for that in advance
Long may it continue to thrive in its present form![]()
Cheers Glenn.![]()
Hi Glenn,CLPSLFBT wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 7:22 pmAy up Jon, hope alls well mate long time no see!! Haha, look what you created!!Jon Harrowing wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:25 pmIt's all my fault... I started FIGHTER CONTROL back in 2000, then it was just a Military Aircraft News website... before adding the forum!![]()
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It’s all come along way since the news site and a few titles on the old forum.
Good to see you’re still around![]()
Cheers Glenn![]()
Hi There...MR TERRY GREEN wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 1:55 pmI for one am so glad this forum started.Ihad a big cancer operation five years ago and have always been interested in military aircraft.Fighter Control helped in my recovery and i am so glad finding out whats going on because i have no transport to get to bases.Thanks to everybody who runs this great Forum.It is a go to everyday.
The CREW running the SHOW have done a great job.blakey wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:28 pm25 yrs and it's still the best aviation forum on the netJon Harrowing wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:25 pmIt's all my fault... I started FIGHTER CONTROL back in 2000, then it was just a Military Aircraft News website... before adding the forum!![]()
Nev was a very intelligent and extremely likeable humble human being. I had a lot of time for him. I'd visited his home a couple of times and handed over 'scanning equipment' in Service Station car parks - extremely BLACK OPS stuff! lolCLPSLFBT wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:48 amThe site expanded somewhat to include the East Anglian bases and had an excellent contributor in the name of Milairman , The late Neville Vickerstaff who had his own site for all things Lakenheath. Eventually Nev shut his site down and alot of content was incorporated into FC and it went on from there really.
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