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The Fighter Control Story

A place to chat and discuss everything and anything thats NOT Military Aviation related. No Civilian Aviation content please. We would be grateful for such inclusions on our sister site - Civilian Aviation.
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cat1
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The Fighter Control Story

Post by cat1 » Fri Jan 17, 2025 12:54 pm

Hi all,

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 :)

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Pune
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Location: Midlands

Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by Pune » Fri Jan 17, 2025 1:09 pm

cat1 wrote:
Fri Jan 17, 2025 12:54 pm
Hi all,

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.
If you can keep your head whilst all around are losing theirs, you have probably completely misread the situation!!

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blakey
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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by blakey » Fri Jan 17, 2025 1:10 pm

Thanks for the forum goes to Jon..... the man, the myth, the legend, from North East Lincolnshire
Lee Blake

CLPSLFBT
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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by CLPSLFBT » Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:48 am

blakey wrote:
Fri Jan 17, 2025 1:10 pm
Thanks for the forum goes to Jon..... the man, the myth, the legend, from North East Lincolnshire
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.
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. :lol:


I think Lee is the only person I remember from the early days ( did you ever get an FC car sticker? :lol: ) 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 :thumbs:

Cheers Glenn. :thumb:

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Pune
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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by Pune » Sat Jan 18, 2025 9:24 am

Thanks Glenn, it's amazing how things develop over the years.
Cheers
Pune
If you can keep your head whilst all around are losing theirs, you have probably completely misread the situation!!

CLPSLFBT
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Location: Lincolnshire Coast

Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by CLPSLFBT » Sat Jan 18, 2025 9:44 am

Pune wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 9:24 am
Thanks Glenn, it's amazing how things develop over the years.
Cheers
Pune
Thanks Pune, it certainly is and shows how much and how fast tech evolves….scary ! ( I sound like my dad now :lol: )

Cheers Glenn

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blakey
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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by blakey » Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:09 pm

CLPSLFBT wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:48 am
blakey wrote:
Fri Jan 17, 2025 1:10 pm
Thanks for the forum goes to Jon..... the man, the myth, the legend, from North East Lincolnshire
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.

Cheers Glenn. :thumb:
Hi 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 years.

If I remember right, this incarnation was taken on by Lee James after a bitter take over from Ricks tenure, then Lee left or was he pushed? And we have what we have now.

Seems to be sailing nicely, although I'm not too sure who at the rudder!!

Ps are you Glenn B from Doncaster?
Lee Blake

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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by MR TERRY GREEN » Sat Jan 18, 2025 1:55 pm

I 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.

CLPSLFBT
Posts: 332
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2014 11:34 am
Location: Lincolnshire Coast

Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by CLPSLFBT » Sat Jan 18, 2025 3:48 pm

blakey wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:09 pm
CLPSLFBT wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:48 am
blakey wrote:
Fri Jan 17, 2025 1:10 pm
Thanks for the forum goes to Jon..... the man, the myth, the legend, from North East Lincolnshire
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.

Cheers Glenn. :thumb:
Hi 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?
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.

I used to be on the forum as GlennP before I ducked out for a while but had to re register again hence the name change although my original handle is on the database somewhere! :S

I used to work in Donny before I left my job there to work for The RNLI but I’m originally from Cleethorpes not far from Donna Nook.

Cheers Glenn :thumb:

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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by Jon Harrowing » Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:25 pm

It'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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blakey
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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by blakey » Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:28 pm

Jon Harrowing wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:25 pm
It's all my fault... I started FIGHTER CONTROL back in 2000, then it was just a Military Aircraft News website... before adding the forum!
25 yrs and it's still the best aviation forum on the net :thumb:
Lee Blake

CLPSLFBT
Posts: 332
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2014 11:34 am
Location: Lincolnshire Coast

Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by CLPSLFBT » Sat Jan 18, 2025 7:22 pm

Jon Harrowing wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:25 pm
It'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!! :lol: :thumbs:
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 :thumb:

Cheers Glenn :)

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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by Vulcanone » Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:10 pm

blakey,

Dad and even Mum near Lincoln are fine. Sadly not so for Stepmother and Stepfather who both passed away in the last 6 months...

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Blackcat1
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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by Blackcat1 » Sat Jan 18, 2025 9:11 pm

CLPSLFBT wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:48 am
blakey wrote:
Fri Jan 17, 2025 1:10 pm
Thanks for the forum goes to Jon..... the man, the myth, the legend, from North East Lincolnshire
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.
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. :lol:


I think Lee is the only person I remember from the early days ( did you ever get an FC car sticker? :lol: ) 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 :thumbs:

Cheers Glenn. :thumb:
I got the car sticker! 🤣 i was eagle1981ok back in the good old days when the forum started. Seems like a long time ago in a galaxy far far away 🤣🤣🤣
Gareth

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

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blakey
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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by blakey » Sat Jan 18, 2025 11:24 pm

Vulcanone wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:10 pm
blakey,

Dad and even Mum near Lincoln are fine. Sadly not so for Stepmother and Stepfather who both passed away in the last 6 months...
Thanks Tim
Lee Blake

Jon Harrowing
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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by Jon Harrowing » Sun Jan 19, 2025 9:02 am

CLPSLFBT wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 7:22 pm
Jon Harrowing wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:25 pm
It'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!! :lol: :thumbs:
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 :thumb:

Cheers Glenn :)
Hi Glenn,

I hope you and your family are doing fine?

A lot has and hasn't changed since I left the Fighter Control in the good hands of the crew at the time...
I've looked back, on my old hard drives, at how FC used to be... Few Titles? It covered every base in the UK, European countries, CONUS and further afield. Photography, radio etc... we didn't have a modelling section then but I'm glad it has now as I do a lot of that! lol
I'll try and dig a little deeper for some screenshots of the original site back in 2000!

I myself am limited to the amount of FENCE TIME I get nowadays due to the Mon-Fri job I do... but I do manage to get out.

It was Lee that contacted me to see if I was still alive!!! lol Yes, I'm here.

Good to hear from both yourself and Lee.

Jon Harrowing
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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by Jon Harrowing » Sun Jan 19, 2025 9:12 am

MR TERRY GREEN wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 1:55 pm
I 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.
Hi There...

I'm glad it has, and I hope, it continues to help you. It was one of my aims back in 2000 that information should be shared - especially with those that weren't able to get out and about. I got fed up of the silly secret cliques that were set up at the various Crash Gates and Viewing Sites around the UK, lots of spotters unwilling to part with anything - I'm surprised that a lot are still breathing as they wouldn't part with the Carbon Dioxide that they were breathing out! Hahahaha...

Glad you're still on board, as the current crew do an amazing job, as always.

Jon

Jon Harrowing
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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by Jon Harrowing » Sun Jan 19, 2025 9:13 am

blakey wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:28 pm
Jon Harrowing wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:25 pm
It's all my fault... I started FIGHTER CONTROL back in 2000, then it was just a Military Aircraft News website... before adding the forum!
25 yrs and it's still the best aviation forum on the net :thumb:
The CREW running the SHOW have done a great job.

Jon Harrowing
Moderator
Posts: 78
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 4:48 am
Location: Great Grimsby, NE Lincs, UK
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Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by Jon Harrowing » Sun Jan 19, 2025 9:15 am

cat1 wrote:
Fri Jan 17, 2025 12:54 pm
Hi all,

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 :)
GUILTY as CHARGED... It was me ;-)

Jon Harrowing
Moderator
Posts: 78
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 4:48 am
Location: Great Grimsby, NE Lincs, UK
Contact:

Re: The Fighter Control Story

Post by Jon Harrowing » Sun Jan 19, 2025 9:26 am

CLPSLFBT wrote:
Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:48 am
blakey wrote:
Fri Jan 17, 2025 1:10 pm
Thanks for the forum goes to Jon..... the man, the myth, the legend, from North East Lincolnshire
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.
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! lol
I do recall building a website for him, as he wasn't very HTML savvy at that time.
I remember LAKENHEATH having to continually change their AUX frequencies because he and his 'set-up' had found the new frequencies in a matter of days!

Now this man is a LEGEND.

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