VIP visit to the BBMF at RAF Coningsby

[Mr Gazza]

Just testing the water here.

It just so happens that I have a contact very high up at Coningsby and also in charge of the BBMF.

We are working on the idea of a privileged club visit to the base some time next Summer, to get up close to the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and have a personal guided tour by one or more of the pilots. There is also a vague notion of getting up close to a Typhoon or two, but I'm trying not to push my luck!

There will no doubt be some sort of donation involved and no date is fixed yet.
This is just to ask in the broadest terms who would be up for it?

[Grumpy]

I'm in!.....

[rollo22]

Sounds like a plan Gazza.

[Zimbo]

I'm in too, +1, good work sounds like a fantastic day out

[smiffyraf1]

as i work on bbmf most of the time im in! lol. i take it its the new boss Milli you're talking about.

[Mr Gazza]

A bit of a busman's holiday for you then smiffy?.. :chuckle:

Yep it's the new boss.. sounds alright. :thumbsup:

[Capo]

I'm up for this

[Dukedesmo]

Sounds like a good day out, count me in.

[bigredduke]

Definitely interested. Would it be an entry requirement to turn up on a bike? It's just that an elderly friend of mine would be very excited about such a visit but is not really up to being a pillion!

[Nickj]

If it fits for dates I'd be interested. I could tail you up Zimbo :)

[Mr Gazza]

I'm not in the business of excluding anyone BRD, just because they can't attend on a Monster; however you will miss out, if I manage to pull off a photoshoot with the bikes posed in front of one or more of the aircraft... Though I must stress that the whole idea is just an embryo and I have no idea how the visit will pan out.

Thanks for the almost viral response guys. I take that as a big thumbs up and so will push it on further and find out some dates... We will be pretty much at the mercy of the teams display diary with that, so watch this space... :D

[uncle duke]

Went a few years ago & it was great so yes if the dates fit i'm in...

[Mr Gazza]

Okay, this is definitely going to happen as a club event, but I won't know a date until March at the latest.
I will let you know as soon as I do.
Thanks for your support chaps... :mand:

[bigredduke]

Brilliant! Well done Mr G!

[Jez900ie]

I'd certainly like to go to this - thanks Mr Gazza.

[dacs]

I'm in, dates allowing, nice one Mr G.

[Tim88]

This sounds great. I think I am free most of next year.

Tim

[Moley1]

I'm up for that too! I did an annual camp at Coninsgby and got a tour of the BBMF back then so would be good to go again.

[Maggsy]

Definitely interested. Thanks Gazza 👍

[Dirty]

Definitely coming, looking forward to it :)

[Stafford]

Interested x2 here.

[bigredduke]

Interested x2 here.

Does that mean there are two of you interested or you are twice as interested as everyone else? :scratch:

[TonyG]

Would love to go if circumstances allow.

Thanks

[Mark64]

Sounds great Gazza, pick a dry day when I'm not on shift - jobs a goodun! ��

[Capo]

Count me out

[Stinger101]

I'll do my best to come along too. Sounds just my kind of thing. Some great roads to get there from here too. I may well or rather hope I live in Alcester by then!

[Mr Gazza]

Nothing like posting up an idea for a Summer meet, in the middle of December, to get a good response eh?.. :chuckle:

It will be a while before we get a date for this, but in the mean time, is there anyone who could suggest a place to meet up for breakfast somewhere handy for Coningsby?
After all it wouldn't be the same if we couldn't all thunder in together!

Somewhere around 10 miles out would be okay. Most seem to be coming from South of Coningsby so far.

[RossObey01]

Great idea Gaz, my better half and I would like to come if the date works out okay, is it likely to be a weekend?

[smiffyraf1]

bluebell or petwood in woodhall are good and tie in with the history of bbmf. ill have a look at this though to see if anywhere is more suitable.

[Liz]

Cool, dates permitting!

[Mr Gazza]

is it likely to be a weekend?

Be good to see you Ross.. Definitely a weekend, probably a Saturday.

bluebell or petwood in woodhall are good and tie in with the history of bbmf. ill have a look at this though to see if anywhere is more suitable.

Thanks for that smiffy, I'll leave it with you.
I know two ways to East Kirkby now, and that's my whole knowledge of Lincolnshire!

[Grumpy]

I know two ways to East Kirkby now, and that's my whole knowledge of Lincolnshire!

My in-laws live just outside Grimsby, so I know so fun routes into Lincolnshire we can use :mand:

[Mick s4r]

I would be very interested lots of planes and Monsters great.

[Mr Gazza]

Just opened a dialogue with Squadron Leader Mark Discombe, soon to take charge of the BBMF and known colloquially as "Disco".

We should be able to establish a date and format that fits in with this years busy display schedule..... Quite exited as it happens..:on:

Will keep you up to date, but please don't expect too much until after the weekender.. (Less than three weeks away.... Jeez still not booked?... Pull yer finger out!!)

[Mr Gazza]

Disco is happy to show us round and have a special day at Coningsby.
This will be a weekday. Not possible on a Saturday or Sunday.

Who's still interested?

[Grumpy]

Disco is happy to show us round and have a special day at Coningsby.
This will be a weekday. Not possible on a Saturday or Sunday.

Who's still interested?

I'm game!
Sounds like it's list time!

Gazza.
Grumpy.

[Dirty]

Gazza.
Grumpy
Dirty

[Chris Jessop]

Dependant on the date chosen I would love to attend this event, would that be OK?

Gazza.
Grumpy
Dirty
Chris Jessop

[slob]

as above dependent on date

Gazza.
Grumpy
Dirty
Chris Jessop
slob

[smiffyraf1]

i was down for this but i think ill just have to come meet you guys after when you have some lunch as it will end up being a busman's holiday. have only just finished repairing the Vb there.

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n530/smiffyraf1/IMG_9694_zpsiaeb9eir.jpeg?t=1524042828

[Dirty]

i was down for this but i think ill just have to come meet you guys after when you have some lunch as it will end up being a busman's holiday. have only just finished repairing the Vb there.

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n530/smiffyraf1/IMG_9694_zpsiaeb9eir.jpeg?t=1524042828

Doesn'tt look finished to me :biggrin:

[bigredduke]

Gazza.
Grumpy
Dirty
Chris Jessop
slob
bigredduke

[Mr Gazza]

Sorry this has to be on a weekday, which I appreciate does move the goalposts!

Nice to still see names going down though. I will let this run over the weekend and see if we get some more names down.

I will ask Disco on Monday to see if we can get a mid-late June date, so folk have a chance to give notice for a day off work.

Definitely not doing this on a Friday though, the Friday afternoon traffic is ridiculous!!

[emzedder]

Gazza - I wouldn't mind tagging along dependant upon date (mid week not a problem generally).

[uncle duke]

I'd love to go but checked about days holiday in june & they said something about world cups in june all holidays booked....so that i guess rules me out...but i won't say no until i know the date for defo...

[Mr Gazza]

I don't mind making it a bit later, but was trying to avoid school holidays as the roads get a bit fuller then and the caravans come out too!

Sooner I can get a proper date on this the better, but spinning a lot of plates right now, so thanks for everyone's interest and patience.

No takers from the North? If you take Slob's distance, northwards you get a huge arc from Middlesbrough down to Liverpool including most of the Midlands... Moco? Your gang interested?

Gazza.
Grumpy
Dirty
Chris Jessop
slob
bigredduke
emzedder
Uncle Duke

[bigredduke]

No takers from the North? Excuse me but last time I looked at a map, East Yorkshire was definitely considered 'in the north'!

[Mr Gazza]

Apologies BRD. Should have said, no more takers from the North?

[Liz]

Gazza.
Grumpy
Dirty
Chris Jessop
slob
bigredduke
emzedder
Uncle Duke
Liz (depending on which day of the week)
Stafford (depending on which day of the week)

[Skid-Marc]

Hi Gazza,
Just seen this thread and would be very interested. I'm OK for a weekday subject to the date. I'm South Manchester based so not that far for me. Would be good to meet up with you guys. I'll ask some other 'Northerners', Moco and the like, see who else may be up for it.

Much appreciated the posting and sounds like great day out.

[Mr Monty]

Gazza.
Grumpy
Dirty
Chris Jessop
slob
bigredduke
emzedder
Uncle Duke
Liz (depending on which day of the week)
Stafford (depending on which day of the week)
Mr Monty

[Mr Gazza]

Okay..
Three potential dates are on the table subject to BBMF service schedules.

Tues 26th, June Wed 27th June and Thursday 5th July.

I am inclined to accept whatever date fits in with the BBMF people, so these are just for info only at the moment, to just let you know what to pencil in.

[bigredduke]

At the moment, all 3 dates are OK for me:thumbsup:

[Grumpy]

Any of the dates work for me as well. Although the sooner we know which day the better:thumbsup:

[Mr Monty]

I can make any of the dates.

Mr Monty.

[Dirty]

Wot Grumpy said

[Tim88]

27th June best for me.

[Stinger101]

The June dates look fine for me at the moment. I'd like to tag in on this one too.

[Mr Gazza]

We've nailed a date.

"Gary,

The engineers have asked if we could arrange the visit on 5 Jul 18, as the flying programme is the quietest around that period. Please let me know if that’s OK, with a planned arrival of ~10:00 at the Visitors’ Centre (not the Main Gate). There are only limited snacks available at the Visitors’ Centre but BBMF can provide tea, coffee & squash and we have a vending machine. I would have thought that ~2 hours should be enough for me to brief you and then show you around the hangar.

Cheers,

Disco" .

I have confirmed this with Squadron Leader Mark Discombe and also asked what fees or donation would be appropriate.

So we can start a hard list now.

I filled up at Services on the A16 at Spalding coming home on Monday and noticed a McDonalds drive through there (On the Holbeach road). This could have potential as a breakfast venue for those coming up from South? There's a good back road route up to Coningsby from there too.

If we will be done in a couple of hours, maybe we should plan a lunch meet somewhere nearby too, or maybe even a ride on to another attraction?

Enough time to work out something good.

[Grumpy]

That's fantastic!
The maccy D's @ Spalding sounds good. As for moving on to another venue later in the day, that's a cracking idea. How does a run through the Lincolinshire Wolds sound, possibly ending up somewhere for fish and chips?
Thanks for organising the visit to Coningsby Gary.

[Mr Gazza]

A Wold tour of Lincolnshire, eh? Sounds good, as I've never seen a Wold.

I sense that you're thinking Skeggy?.. Looking forward to seeing Part 2 of the day flesh out

[Chris Jessop]

Yay! 5th July is good for me.

[Mr Gazza]

Disco has just informed me that there will be no charge for our visit.. It just gets better.. :biggrin:
I'm sure we will be able to put something in the collection box between us.

He only askes to have an idea of numbers attending nearer the time, so it only remains to put your name on this list.

(Can't believe I pulled this one off.)

Gazza
Grumpy
Chris Jessop

[Mr Monty]

Gazza
Grumpy
Chris Jessop
Mr Monty

[bigredduke]

Gazza
Grumpy
Chris Jessop
Mr Monty
Bigredduke

[Grumpy]

[QUOTE=Mr Gazza;555886]A Wold tour of Lincolnshire, eh? Sounds good, as I've never seen a Wold.

I sense that you're thinking Skeggy?.. Looking forward to seeing Part 2 of the day flesh out[/QUOTE

Skeggy could be a possibly, although I'm open to suggestions as to where to go, maybe Maplethorpe?

[dacs]

Well, talk of a breakfast made this an easy decision -

Gazza
Grumpy
Chris Jessop
Mr Monty
Bigredduke
dacs

[Goldstar]

Count me in please....

[Mr Gazza]

Gazza
Grumpy
Chris Jessop
Mr Monty
Bigredduke
dacs
Goldstar

[Dukedesmo]

Should be able to make this so;

Gazza
Grumpy
Chris Jessop
Mr Monty
Bigredduke
dacs
Goldstar
Dukedesmo

[Capo]

Gazza
Grumpy
Chris Jessop
Mr Monty
Bigredduke
dacs
Goldstar
Dukedesmo
Capo

[Mr Gazza]

All those on the list above have been sent a pm.

There is the possibility of an extension of the BBMF tour, into other parts of RAF Coningsby.

To enable this I need to fill in a form for security checks and I need the following info from participants;

Surname.
ALL fore names.
Rank/Title.
Nationality (including dual)
Date of birth ddmmyyyy.
Country of residence
First visit to station? yes/no.

You don't need to give this info for the BBMF tour, but it will be needed if we manage to get invited into the active part of the base, which is not a given at the moment.

Please submit your info to me via PM, by Thursday 7th Jun.

Latecomers are still welcome on the BBMF tour up to the day, but not sure if I will be able to squeeze you onto part 2 of the tour.. Will need the info anyway.

[bigredduke]

Reply sent. Thanks for all your efforts!

[Dirty]

Gazza
Grumpy
Chris Jessop
Mr Monty
Bigredduke
dacs
Goldstar
Dukedesmo
Capo
Dirty

[Chris Jessop]

PM sent with info required - thank you!

[Bigjock]

I'm up for this, am I too late to register?

[Mr Gazza]

No, put your name down.
Have a look at post #72 and pm me your info for a security pass.

[dacs]

Mr Gazza, pm sent, sorry it's been a couple of days, been away since your pm.

[Dirty]

Diarised and PM sent

[Mr Gazza]

The hop over the fence has been confirmed as ON. :thumbsup: We will be escorted into a BAE hangar and given a "Talk Through" a Typhoon after the BBMF tour... Gonna be a special day!

I have also been given an extension on submitting the personal security info, so still time to sign up for this trip (Sunday 24th June latest Please).

The plan is still to meet for breakfast at the Spalding McDonalds (time TBC).
Goldstar has good local knowledge, so will lead us from there to the visitors gate at Coningsby for 10am.

Post visit is still an open book. Assuming the visit will end around 2pm, I reckon eating will be a priority, so maybe a shortish ride to a place of sustenance and then maybe a ride on to somewhere interesting.. Any suggestions?

Event is on Thursday July 5th, 10am at Coningsby.

Gazza +2
Grumpy
Chris Jessop
Mr Monty
Bigredduke +1
dacs
Goldstar +1
Dukedesmo
Capo
Dirty

[bigredduke]

Should that be Sunday 24 JUNE?

[Mr Gazza]

Should that be Sunday 24 JUNE?

Indeed it should Watson... Well spotted, thank you.

[Dirty]

The hop over the fence has been confirmed as ON. :thumbsup: We will be escorted into a BAE hangar and given a "Talk Through" a Typhoon after the BBMF tour... Gonna be a special day!



Wow gets better and better. Thanks for pursuing the original possibility and turning it into reality for us Gazza, much appreciated :thumbsup:

[smiffyraf1]

willingham woods is great stop off after the visit and not far from coningsby if it is on the sunday and nice weather.

[Mr Gazza]

Thanks for pursuing the original possibility and turning it into reality

Although I started this thread in December, the idea was first discussed about a year ago just after the Coast to Coast run (which I celebrated the first anniversary of, this weekend by wearing the T-shirt to the Arbuckle's meet).
After one of my youngest cousins died, we had a reunion with her brother and his wife.
He is ex-RAF Typhoon ground crew and is now with BAE (same job) and she works at the BBMF. We met again later in the year, ironically, at my Dad's funeral, the idea of the visit moved on a little further. They have both been busy pulling strings and calling in favours for our benefit, so It's my cousin and his wife we have to thank, and Disco of course. :thumbsup:

Smiffy, we're coming to see you on Thursday 5th July.

[Mr Gazza]

Gazza +2
Grumpy
Chris Jessop
Mr Monty
Bigredduke +1
dacs
Goldstar +1
Dukedesmo
Capo
Dirty
BigJock

[bigredduke]

Will we need to bring some ID such as passport or driving licence?

Well done for organising the day, much appreciated!

[mickj]

I would take some form of ID with you, the RAF police should not let anyone onto an active site without some form of ID.

[Mr Gazza]

Good point, well made BRD.
I would be surprised if we got in with no ID. I will find out what is required.

Everyone on the list attending will get a PM with all the details in good time before the event.

There is still time to sign up for this. I will need your details (as on post #72) by Sunday June 24th, for a security check.
The event is on Thursday 5th July.

[rollo22]

Gazza +2
Grumpy
Chris Jessop
Mr Monty
Bigredduke +1
dacs
Goldstar +1
Dukedesmo
Capo
Dirty
BigJock
Rollo

[Mr Gazza]

I will be contacting everyone on the list via PM, probably early next week.
I will have a firm itinerary by then and info on what to bring.. What not to bring and what we can and cannot do on the active RAF station.

Post event, is still not decided.
As we will probably finish at somewhere around 2pm, I suggest that the easy option would be to eat together somewhere close by, after a short ride and then go our separate ways (A long ride home for most), or venture out into Lincolnshire to explore... Can't contribute to that as I have no local knowledge.

Any thoughts?

[Grumpy]

Oh I do like to beside the seaside!

[Mr Gazza]

So Are you tiddly taking us up the om pom pom skeggy road for chips on the prom prom prom?

[Grumpy]

So Are you tiddly taking us up the om pom pom skeggy road for chips on the prom prom prom?

Sounds like a plan!:mand:

[Dirty]

Don't they do some nice sausages in that area? I'm sure I've seen them in Sainsburys.

[DaveR]

Hi Gary
Hope I’m not too late to sign up for this, am very keen to tag along.
I’ll send you through my details to get on the base.
Dave

[Mr Gazza]

Gotcha Dave... I think you are the lucky last?

Sounds like a plan!:mand:

Then it is a plan mon Capitano.. Lead on.. :biggrin:

[smiffyraf1]

yeah you will need photo id minimum. boston sausages are local to coningsby and are bloody amazing

[bigredduke]

Mrs BRD and I are heading here for afternoon tea afterwards:

https://www.teahouseinthewoods.co.uk/

It's only about 5 miles from Coningsby, looks rather nayce.

Little fingers at the ready!

[Mr Gazza]

Pinkies out and mind your p's and q's... :chuckle:

I have sent a PM with the days itinerary to all those attending.
Please log in and check your mail box.

Any problems, get in touch.

[bigredduke]

Information noted. Thank you so much for all your efforts in making this happen. Really looking forward to the day.

[Grumpy]

Thanks for organising the visit to the BBMF, Gazza.

If any of you guys are interested, after Skeggy, there is the Boston Bike Night, which in my case is on the way home, thought about dropping in, anyone else up for rounding the day off with a bike meet?

[Dirty]

Thanks for organising the visit to the BBMF, Gazza.

If any of you guys are interested, after Skeggy, there is the Boston Bike Night, which in my case is on the way home, thought about dropping in, anyone else up for rounding the day off with a bike meet?

FFS why not pop up to Inverness whilst we are on the road!! :Furious:

[Grumpy]

FFS why not pop up to Inverness whilst we are on the road!! :Furious:

Mmmm....now that's an idea!

[Mr Gazza]

http://www.bostonbikenight.co.uk/

Sounds cool, why not?
Are you proposing Inverness before or after Boston Dirty? I'm up for it either way.

We're going to Coningsby via New York in the morning btw.

[Dirty]

Well I'm going to pop by on the way, you know, before breakfast but I'm up for going back after Skeggy then popping down to Boston then back up again via Fort William, I'll pop down to Devon after that then on to Newcastle for a night cap! :yoparty:

[Mr Gazza]

Check your inboxes for an update bulletin please guys.

[rollo22]

Just a short ditty to say many thanks to Gaza’s for organising a great day out.
Hope you have a good evening in Boston

[smiffyraf1]

did have a look for you guys at boston but no joy. hope you had a good day.

[Grumpy]

What a cracking day out!
A guided tour of the BBMF by Disco ( the guy in charge of the BBMF) of the fighter element of the flight, then another guided tour of the Lanc and Dakota by the head flight engineer for the 'heavies'
Followed by a up close and personal tour of the typhoon fighter.
Afterwards, four of us went to Skeggy for chips, then on to the Boston Bike night.
Thanks for organising Gary, you are a star.
Great to see some new faces, plus catch up everyone else.
I hope everyone had a safe journey home.

[DaveR]

Just want to say thanks to Gary for organising the day at the BBMF yesterday. What a superb day it was.
It was good to meet everyone there & be able to put some faces to the names. Hope to meet you again soon.

Dave

[Goldstar]

Gary, many thanks for organising this fantastic trip out...

Mel

[Mr Gazza]

Sorry we missed you at Boston Smiffy, we left about 6.30. It had been a long day!
We looked for you at the Station too, but you were obviously detained?

Just finished sending emails to Disco, Gavin and Amanda this evening, conveying your collective thanks for making it such a fantastic and memorable day for us.
Thanks to everyone who came on a weekday and made this one of the more special UKMOC days out.
Full report and more pictures to follow.

Some of us outside the BBMF hospitality/VIP suite enjoying coffee from RAF cups whilst watching a practice display of two Spitfires supervised by Disco from the control tower. Followed immediately after the Spits landed, by a Typhoon climbing vertically off the runway like some homesick Angel..

https://s8.postimg.cc/j981okx0l/DSCF6771.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Left to right.. Mrs BRD, Dirty, Dukedesmo, Grumpy, Rollo22,(behind) Dennis, Goldstar, DaveR, dacs, Adam Dyer(BBMF). Foreground.. Mr Monty and Matthew.

[Dirty]

No, really it was. Can't thank everyone involved enough.

Just to correct you Gazza, Disco (Squadron Leader Mark Discombe AFC) was actually flying one of the Spits, the silver MK19, he waved at us when he taxied past. 40 mins later he was serving us tea and coffee and giving us the benefit of his knowledge during the tours. Amazing.

Gazza you mentioned in the opening post about making a donation and it was never mentioned after or on the day. I've had a little look and found a couple of ways people could contribute if they wanted to. https://www.memorialflightclub.com/about-club or https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matthew-marriott1 (Sergeant Matthew Marriott (Deputy Mechanical Trade Manager))


Bike Squad Leader Gazza
https://s19.postimg.cc/z51mox037/IMG_8516.jpg

UKMOC Squadron led by Technician? Adam Dyer. A more gracious and helpful host you'd be hard pressed to find
https://s19.postimg.cc/o5gfdc4j7/IMG_8514.jpg

Some stuff to peruse in the mess whilst we drank our teas n coffees

https://s19.postimg.cc/x0h9nullv/IMG_8518.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/fafl315ir/IMG_8538.jpg

A few pics of a WW2 logbook, it was about 4 inches thick and full of this sort of stuff.

https://s19.postimg.cc/bqtnczag3/IMG_8519_Edited.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/k933hdeer/IMG_8522_Edited.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/bqtnd22r7/IMG_8524_Edited.jpg


The mess

https://s19.postimg.cc/fafl2x2wz/IMG_8528.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/e85ekdrtf/IMG_8529.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/bqtnd4ncj/IMG_8530.jpg


TBC

[Dirty]

Continued

Then it was down the corridor

https://s19.postimg.cc/exo6wt58j/IMG_8536.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/j6swyxy77/IMG_8532.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/kylvtvzkj/IMG_8535.jpg

And into the hangar

https://s19.postimg.cc/gcprln8xf/IMG_8545.jpg

Our group was split into 2 formations, Fighters first for us

https://s19.postimg.cc/fafl33aoj/IMG_8541.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/px9e8iqjn/IMG_8543.jpg

Disco was brilliant, entertaining, knowledgeable, happy to answer any questions

https://s19.postimg.cc/ow95it9dv/IMG_8547.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/a0amb8der/IMG_8548.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/pyjc1ea7n/IMG_8554.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/abs2ojz5v/IMG_8546.jpg

TBC

[Dirty]

Continued

Then onto the heavy stuff

Dakota first

https://s19.postimg.cc/5eei32f2r/IMG_8574.jpg

Our guide, a flight engineer with a very low opinion of navigators :)

https://s19.postimg.cc/qo24dt0hf/IMG_8561.jpg

The dakota is in D Day livery and kitted out for static line parachute jumps

https://s19.postimg.cc/g18b8fi2b/IMG_8565.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/chmdimn2b/IMG_8567.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/3zcxeavz7/IMG_8566.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/ukfg9w0xf/IMG_8573.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/y41dzoo7n/IMG_8570.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/qo24dssrn/IMG_8562.jpg

TBC

[Dirty]

Continued

And on to the star of the piece

https://s19.postimg.cc/rqcawglwj/IMG_8575.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/m2605lk4z/IMG_8577.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/6goolmsr7/IMG_8579.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/767gy0gg3/IMG_8580.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/ojhrcx1hf/IMG_8582.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/z6bkidc7n/IMG_8591.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/4c4bko1g3/IMG_8593.jpg

https://s19.postimg.cc/63xafjxnn/IMG_8594.jpg

TBC

[Dirty]

Continued

After BBMF we were taken to the BAE maintenance shed and given a talk about the Typhoon fighter and the work being done. We saw the very latest delivery being readied, it had 3 flying hours, and one of the earliest that was being stripped down for spares.

Pics.............................................. ............... were not allowed, sorry guys :chuckle:

http://sleazeroxx.com/wp-content/uploads/parental.jpg

One of the highlights of the day was spotting a very rare F35 Lightning doing a 'ner ner' fly over of Coningsby. Currently only 4 in the country and to see it buzz the airfield was pretty special. Made slightly less rare by 3 of them noisily buzzing buck house this afternoon but I still saw it first :chuckle:

[Moco1961]

Looks like a brilliant day out, you certainly got up close and personal with access to some special kit.:thumbsup:

[bigredduke]

A huge thank you to Gary for organising an absolutely brilliant unforgettable day. The guided tours from staff who actually operate the aircraft were superb.

Seeing the Spitfires flying around the base as we arrived was a real bonus.

Thanks to Dirty for posting the pictures.