Lakenheath popularity

[crookie]

Totally agree its only a hobby to be enjoyed by all

[TYPHOON3]

School holidays and F22's the main reasons.

[slogen51]

What aspects of the hobby is he bringing to a wider audience? I don't see an appreciation of the different types or unit markings or indeed collecting serials amongst the so-called wider audience. I didn't see them at Marham or Wattisham or Leeming recently. it seems to be a cheap day out watching fast jets before heading off to Mac's or shopping.

[paddyboy]

Mike:

[C24]

A charge of £10 per vehicle would calm things down.

Just a thought

[Nighthawke]

Free parking and priority to locals of course

[B58Hustler]

Doesn’t matter what hobby one pursues these days.
We are a little island and there are circa 70 million of us.
For every hard core spotter there are twenty casual observers wanting to do something that is free of charge.
If they weren’t there they would be driving their darn Nissan Qashqais to the beach where I live!

[slogen51]

I got into spotting at school, four or five of us had a CAM and would spot in the school playground and cycle to fairoakes and then venture further afield and cycle to Heathrow QB or train to gatwick and meet other like minded geeks ( although we were called Anoraks). We all had a common interest or let's be honest an obsession.

It is heartening to see many the younger generation at Mildenhall out taking photos and see they have a genuine knowledge of the various units at Mildenhall etc and have built up a sense of when and where to go and most importantly which aircraft they want to photo. I think spotting and collection of serials by eye might be dying out but is being replaced by knowing which aircraft still needs to be photographed for the collection which is a similar concept.

I did however bump in to a youngster at Farnborough who had logged the biz jets and was able to help with a few gaps and even referred to a C750 as a 'Slicer' which really took me back so well done to him -although I hope he doesn't forget about girls !

Some of the tourists at Lakenheath, although all probably great people, I can't relate to; we don't have any shared experiences of Mildenhall airshow or red flag or the viewing area at Frankfurt etc - not spotters.

[binbrook32]

I visited yesterday to try to get my first shots of the F-35A's (yes, slack I know) in decent weather.
Apart from lots of casuals here as expected, Big Jet TV was pitched up in the corner of the visitors car park, with tall flag erected obstructing the spot just where I would take my pictures. As if parking, dodging the trees and fence for approach shots wasn't bad enough, another problem.
Is he a regular visitor?

[Reaper172]

Good afternoon guys sorry lv not been to the fence for a few weeks. I know the AVs arrived yesterday do we know how long they will be staying and how many arrived. Hope you guys are well and see you soon

[raameagle]

Fourteen arrived, and as you know that they arrived yesterday you only need to read the posts for yesterday to find that out and see the serials!

When they've departed for home we'll know how long they were staying for...

Regards

Mark

Good afternoon guys sorry lv not been to the fence for a few weeks. I know the AVs arrived yesterday do we know how long they will be staying and how many arrived. Hope you guys are well and see you soon

[Nighthawke]

As Reaper172 only has 3 posts under their belt, they will not be able to see yesterday's post or any other Heads Up. Always worth checking before launching.

[slogen51]

I visited yesterday to try to get my first shots of the F-35A's (yes, slack I know) in decent weather.
Apart from lots of casuals here as expected, Big Jet TV was pitched up in the corner of the visitors car park, with tall flag erected obstructing the spot just where I would take my pictures. As if parking, dodging the trees and fence for approach shots wasn't bad enough, another problem.
Is he a regular visitor?

He has the same entitlement as you and is there fairly often , more often than you are from reading between the lines

Lots of people ( not me to be honest) enjoy his output

[scousefowler]

I visited yesterday to try to get my first shots of the F-35A's (yes, slack I know) in decent weather.
Apart from lots of casuals here as expected, Big Jet TV was pitched up in the corner of the visitors car park, with tall flag erected obstructing the spot just where I would take my pictures. As if parking, dodging the trees and fence for approach shots wasn't bad enough, another problem.
Is he a regular visitor?

He has the same entitlement as you and is there fairly often , more often than you are from reading between the lines

Lots of people ( not me to be honest) enjoy his output

Come on, that's not entirely accurate is it? He is entitled to be there, but his motivations I would argue are totally different from enthusiasts. Who knows what the effects will be if any.

[scousefowler]

As Reaper172 only has 3 posts under their belt, they will not be able to see yesterday's post or any other Heads Up. Always worth checking before launching.

Not having a go at reaper in any way at all, but I think it can be slightly annoying to other forum members when asking for info that has been previously posted.

[POL]

The member doesn't know it's already been posted though, because the section it's been posted in doesn't exist as far as they're concerned!

[Reaper172]

Sorry guys l don't mean to ruffle feathers l was just asking as lv not been to the fence for a couple of weeks thank you for all the come back l know it's difficult to sus deployments but l thank you again

[binbrook32]

I visited yesterday to try to get my first shots of the F-35A's (yes, slack I know) in decent weather.
Apart from lots of casuals here as expected, Big Jet TV was pitched up in the corner of the visitors car park, with tall flag erected obstructing the spot just where I would take my pictures. As if parking, dodging the trees and fence for approach shots wasn't bad enough, another problem.
Is he a regular visitor?

He has the same entitlement as you and is there fairly often , more often than you are from reading between the lines

Lots of people ( not me to be honest) enjoy his output

I expect you would not be happy if the flag prevented you as a spotter getting your numbers (after driving 1.5 hours/75 miles), I think you are missing my point, I was objecting to his flag being in the way not him/his van.
Not everyone lives 20 minutes away and spends their life spotting at Lakenheath or Mildenhall either.

[scousefowler]

Sorry guys l don't mean to ruffle feathers l was just asking as lv not been to the fence for a couple of weeks thank you for all the come back l know it's difficult to sus deployments but l thank you again

It's cool Reaper, just get your posts up so you can check the UK heads up section

[slogen51]

Edit

" Not everyone lives 20 minutes away and spends their life spotting at Lakenheath or Mildenhall either."

I deleted my own post as I can't be bothered with arguments but there is no need to get personal