Scampton to close

[Phoon]

Reports this morning that Scampton is to close by '2022' - hardly surprising considering the state of the place and the limited units based here.

[stealth117]

I know it was looking unlikely anyway but I guess the airshow won't be coming back to scampton either then? What's the possibility of a return of the waddington show? Really used to love camping at barn farm at the harmston end of the runway at waddo from Thursday until Monday for the show, it is much missed by me and my girlfriend. Would be nice if it did return to waddo but I guess in the current climate it ain't going to happen?

[welshandy]

Wonder where the "Reds" will go. Valley perhaps or will it be the excuse to do away with them?

[Nighthawke]

Maybe back to Cranwell as they did in the mid-90s when Scampton closed temporarily?

[Thunder]

Waddington perhaps, assuming there is space there?

[PR9]

Wittering a rumour.

[MRTT]

Leeming has been mentioned as well.

[James Cutting]

Leeming makes sense, with the Hawks already there (Valley also).

Seen a petition doing the rounds already to stop it from happening - silly really, but needs to go tbh.

[Phoon]

Realistically where can the Reds go?

Wittering - lots of space but busy with Tutor traffic and close to the A1 which has been mentioned in the past as a distraction to drivers on this road.
Cranwell - much less busy than it was when the Reds were based there from 2005 - 2000.
Valley - will be busier with the Texans when the training element relocates from Linton-on-Ouse
Leeming - plenty of spare and can also share the airfield and maintenance facilities with the co-located 100 sqn that operates the same type
Shrawbury - Not sure how this would interact with the rotary traffic, but plenty of space on the airfield
Waddington - When 5 sqn disband on the Sentinel in the near future a hangar and accommodation will be available, plus Waddo's circuit is hardly busy.

[James Cutting]

I think Leeming seems the perfect option IMHO.

[redhead]

Think waddington has to be a good choice as most crew already live there

[Davem245]

By 2020 the Hawks will be 40 years old and ready for the scrap heap so they won't need a new base........

[TeeJay]

Maybe if they loose the Hawks, the reds will reform using the old Tucanos, after they replaced by the Texans at Valley

[James Cutting]

That's a good idea TeeJay, small, quick, noisy and will look great in red

[Davem245]

Swap a 40yr old frame for a 35 yr old frame

[James Cutting]

It makes sense if it is 5 years younger

[PR9]

Surprised they can't come up with a lease deal with BAE for T2s. Done plenty of marketing for them after all.

[James Cutting]

T2's won't ever replace the Reds, unfortunately

[Davem245]

Some civvie reg extra300 is more likely ownd and maintained by tesco !!!!

[Davem245]

or Aldi