Wattisham Oldies Part 1

[Tim Holden]

I started cycling up to Wattisham in the late 70's. Alas I did not have a decent camera at the time. By the time i had a camera it was the late 80's/early 90s. Original photos taken on an Olympus OM10. Flying shots were never great due to the awful Hanimex 200 zoom lends and even worse 2x teleconverter so most of these are ground shots.

SUU21 M61 20mm gun pod
a268A3295a by timothyholden, on Flickr

J models
a268A3291 by timothyholden, on Flickr

a268A3298 by timothyholden, on Flickr

Refugee at Duxford after replacement with FGR2's

a268A3244 by timothyholden, on Flickr

a268A3117 by timothyholden, on Flickr

FGR2's

a268A3124 by timothyholden, on Flickr

a268A3280 by timothyholden, on Flickr

a268A3281 by timothyholden, on Flickr

a268A3286 by timothyholden, on Flickr

a268A3285 by timothyholden, on Flickr

a268A3188 by timothyholden, on Flickr

aIMG_9643 by timothyholden, on Flickr

More to follow

[Buccs2b]

Lovely record Tim. Sadly not a base I visited to see the Phantoms properly

[TimFoo]

Brilliant post, thanks!!!

[Mustang531]

Thanks for sharing these, nice shots. I always liked visiting Wattisham as it was great for photography. The only show I attended was the one in 1989, I assume that was the last RAF one.

[Vulture 01]

The shots of the Phantoms on the ramp remind me of that superb video Phantom Finale, parts 1 and 2.
Not sure if it's still available anywhere though.

[blakey]

Awesome set......

Was that the control tower or just an observation tower?

[johnwayne]

Great stuff Tim . Used to love the trips to Wattisham for the Elder Forest air defense exercises when the Phantoms were based there . Hawks were added during these exercises for 'point defence' . Variety of airfield attacks notably various Mirages and usually a Hunter from RAE with tanks on sprayed the runway with water at low level simulating a chemical attack . Great days . Wonder if you've got any Elder Forest pics ? Look fotward to part 2 . Thanks for the memories .

[Tim Holden]

Thanks for the comments. In answer to some of the questions. The show pics were from 89. Phantom Phinale 1 & 2 were only released on VHS. The first one I have managed to copy to DVD. Part 2 has some copy protection that I cant get around. I wish they would release it on youtube but I suspect there may be copyright issues with the music but I am sure that could be overcome. Anyone in contact with Manners? Sorry Air Commodore Mark Manwaring?

The shots from the control tower were from the Queens Birthday flypast in 91? My best mates Dad was a fireman at Wattisham and got us on base, then casually wandered to to the tower. Nobody even asked who we were. As the Phantoms taxied past the tower they extended their refuelling probes in a slightly suggestive salute to a particularly attractive controller. It was a different time!

Part 2 on te way.

[blakey]

Ah just to confirm, you've taken the pics from the control tower and the green tower in the pics is/was and observation tower

[Tim Holden]

Balcony of the main control tower. Went inside with the ATC bods as well.

[Richard E]

The shots of the Phantoms on the ramp remind me of that superb video Phantom Finale, parts 1 and 2.
Not sure if it's still available anywhere though.

There are various copies on Youtu.be

[fox4g]

Tim Holden I have VHS Phantom 1 & 2 which I put on dvd without a problem also added a VHS recording that I bought was Phantoms of the WGAF which was stunning as the camera’s were on the tail whilst taxiing. The problem I have now I can’t find it still got the Tapes so will have to do it again.

[paddyboy]

Hi Tim

Awesome, mate

Think I would have had to dragged off the base kicking and screaming

I was an Olympus user back in the day as well, OM10, then OM2N, OM2SP and then OM4Ti

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[Reach4060]

Some great memories there. Thanks for sharing

[DanBeeden]

Smashing pics, especially the ones taken from the tower.

[Snoop 95]

Wonderful! 'Those were the days my friend'. A reminder of my local back in its glory days. Thanks.

[matt e]

Nice set especially #2

[The Phantom]

Super set of images