RAF Coltishall

[Flibster]

Sadly - this Saturday is the last day of operation for the Jaguar at RAF Coltishall. It seems they're having a little ceremony at the base with a few flypasts and displays.

Just had this forwarded onto me giving me the timetable.

Jaguar operations at RAF Coltishall will cease on April 1st (sadly this is not an April Fool).

The timetable for the final few days of operations is as follows:

Wednesday 29th March: the majority of the based Jaguars will depart for their new home at RAF Coningsby.

Saturday 1st April: 6 Squadron will move to RAF Coningsby. 41 Squadron will effectively disband and cease to exist, but their number and standard will be handed over the Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit (FJWOEU), also based at RAF Coningsby.

The ceremonial aspects of the day are not open to the public, but the airborne aspects which will be easily viewable from outside the station are as follows:

12:11 - Spitfire flypast over the parade at the General Salute 12:40 - Diamond 9 Jaguar flypast as the parade marches off (Jags launch from and recover to Coningsby)

12:45 - Hurricane flypast/display

13:11 - Harrier GR.9 flypast over the General Salute when 41(F) Sqn transfers its standard to the FJWOEU 15:00 - Remaining Jaguars (6 to 10) depart Coltishall. The final 4 will return for a missing man flypast over the station.

Flying operations then cease at Colt with the exception of Coltishall Flying Club etc

Will be trying to go myself and find a good place for photography.

I've grown up with these thing flying over our house at all hours of the day or night. Along with many other aircraft that are now a rare sight in the UK. A-10s, F-111s, Canbarras, Buccaneers, Harriers, the almighty SR-71 and now the Jaguar

Will be sad to see them go.

Just thought some of you guys may be in a position to get there and take better photo's than mine *still stuck with A80 - still awaiting 20d *

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

A10s have flown in the UK!!! I wanna see!

One at Duxford in the American Air Museum

No-one else going to Coltishall then.

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

I looked where it was. It seems abit far at such short notice. Looks like a fair few hours drive.

It is East Anglia...Arse end of nowhere.

Main road in is the A11 - not even a dual carridgeway..

Don't take any pictures of the locals - they'll chew their corn stalks at you and swear that you've stolen part of their soul...

Except in Nawfuk so you won't understand a damn word they say.

Simon/~Flibster *Norfolk boy so can get away with the above *

 

[Flibster]

I've always liked the A-10 for its ugliness and awesome features.

The cannon is supposed to produce 10,000 lbf - as much force as one of the engines - so it slows the aircraft when fired.

It is apparently also possible to fly the plane with either half the tail or over half of one wing missing!

Yup to all of the above.

It is the most damage resistant aircraft ever created tbh.

It's one of the few American aircraft that was designed for a purpose and never strayed from it.

It was designed to carry that gun.

Although - a recent software upgrade allowed them to use that gun in Air-air combat.

Would you argue with that?

Oh and the classic 103rd Fighter Squadron motto...

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Everyone can see that Not a very substantional list yet though is it!

They need a few B1B's, they're always fun to hear when taking off!

Naah...

They want the Vulcan flying again by then.

It is set to fly in Q3-Q4 this year - but other than that I've got no idea.

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Well...

I didn't go but someone I know did.

Apparently it wasn't the event they wanted.

Spitfire and Hurricane didn't fly - too windy.
Neither did the Eurofighter - went U/S
They couldn't even fly all the aircraft out - the Squadron Commanders own personal Jaguar went U/S at the end of the runway...

That'll fly out on Monday/Tuesday from what I've heard.

Oh well...another airfield closed.

Sea Harriers went out of service last week as well.

Simon/~Flibster