Upper Heyford 2nd Aug 1990

[roughcutter]

I recently came across a few more slides of Heyford's residents. These were taken at the 09 end (Ardley - farm track), the reason for the date (Aug 2nd) is because it was while driving down there that morning, I first heard the report on radio 4 of Sadam's invasion of Kuwait. When I arrived in the lane there was a small congregation of excited local spotters (one or two UHAS members whom I recognised among them), speculatively discussing the possible consequences that could follow...
I recall it was a stiflingly hot day, one of those clammy climates that drains you. Virtually all the activity on the airbase had fizzled out by about 2pm, after which I made tracks for the long trek home.

_61G3097 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3098 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3099 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3100 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3101 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3102 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3103 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3104 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3105 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3106 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

[dragonchaser]

Wow! That jogs a few memories, excellent shots.

[F3]

Interesting set Mark. I was en route to Vancouver having seen film of the invasion on the TV News. Some of the consequences were apparent at the following w/end's Abbotsford Air show where there many gaps in the static where such types as the B-1 should have been.

[PhilE]

Fantastic, brings back lots of great memories. Just imagine if it was still open with F-15E's !!. Phil

[Mustang531]

Some great memories here, thanks for sharing these shots with us, I've enjoyed viewing them.

[paddyboy]

Excellent set of an awesome ‘frame, Mark

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[andrewn]

Lovely pics, thanks for sharing

[roughcutter]

Fantastic, brings back lots of great memories. Just imagine if it was still open with F-15E's !!. Phil

With all the mischief that happens around LN these days Phil, the chances are that if UH was still active today, there is every likelihood that the farm track would probably be 'closed off limits' to the public. I think back in the 1980's/90's, the land owner just about tolerated spotters, there is always a limit to people's patience.
Anyway guys, thanks for all your generous feed back and here's a few more from that stifling day for your perusal

_61G3107 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3108 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3109 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3110 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3111 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3112 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3113 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3114 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3115 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3116 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3117 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3118 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

_61G3119 by Mark Lewis, on Flickr

[The Phantom]

Fantastic set of images

[Sparky 119]

Still drying wet eyes,may well have been up there myself.

[SW Sky Blue]

Thanks of posting....Great memories from the airbase that fuelled my interest in our hobby.... fantastic place

[roughcutter]

Still drying wet eyes,may well have been up there myself.

Thanks of posting....Great memories from the airbase that fuelled my interest in our hobby.... fantastic place

Yep, sadly missed guys But at least we can count ourselves among the lucky ones and say "Hell, I wuz there!"

[andrewn]

Hi Roughcutter, I was just checking my scanner logs for that day for UH, as follows:

1150: Darth 1-4 F111E's - Lichfield corridor W-E
1300: Ruler 1-3 F111E's - RTB via the WAF
1325-1330: GAF 4501A-C, 4502A-C & 4503A-C 9x GAF Tornado's all ex UH I think for MC6 and home.
1445: 3DM Nimrod - Lichfield corridor E-W for UH

Do you recall seeing the GAF Tornado's depart by any chance?

Thanks, Nick

[PhilE]

BAR report 8 GAF tornado's arriving on the 1/8/90 plus one more arriving on the 2/8/90. these may well be your aircraft. Phil

[roughcutter]

Sorry Nick, afraid I didn't get to see the Tonkas (probably explains the crowd). To be honest with you, I say that I left UH at 2pm, it could well have been earlier, because the climate simply got so hot there that day, it was just too much. I do recall earlier that morning a US Army OV-1 (could have been a pair?) transiting North through the zone (c/s Ghost 55). I also remember Stew Dempster (wasn't acquainted with him at the time), turned up sporting a Sony 2001D shortwave radio. Which then was a new one on me, it was fascinating to hear two way transmissions between a mid Atlantic UK bound KC-135 (Blue xx), and a command post somewhere, probably Mildenhall. That was the start of a love affair with HF (Croughton, Incerlik & Lajes etc..), but that's another story.

[andrewn]

Thanks again, I heard 4 x KC135's (Blue 71-74) outbound Mildenhall to the North at 1100, with Blue 74 heard returning at 1545. Did you tie up any callsigns to serials for the F-111's that day?

[andrewn]

BAR report 8 GAF tornado's arriving on the 1/8/90 plus one more arriving on the 2/8/90. these may well be your aircraft. Phil

Thanks Phil

[nashwa]

Brilliant Pics, makes me nostalgic for a time where I wasn't even alive!

[Knife 04]

Great selection of shots - always loved visiting Heyford, driving down Camp Road from the village and then onto the track over the railway - great days

Thanks for posting