Wattisham Oldies Part 4 - End of Days

[Tim Holden]

It was a sad Saturday Morning when the last 2 Phantoms departed Wattisham. They blasted into the air followed by a Hawk chase plane. The hawk reefed into a turn immediately after lift off nearly digging its wing tip in the ground. The 2 Phantoms did a few passes of the field before flying off to Coningsby. We listen to their coms on the scanner all the way then bade farewell to the gaggle of spotters who had become friends. Alas my pictures from that day were awful it was an early departure and we were shooting into the sun. I did get a few pictures in the preceding weeks.

aIMG_9644 by timothyholden, on Flickr

aIMG_9656 by timothyholden, on Flickr

aIMG_9654 by timothyholden, on Flickr

aIMG_9653 by timothyholden, on Flickr

a268A3235 by timothyholden, on Flickr

a268A3437 by timothyholden, on Flickr

The scrap yard. Tears are permitted

a268A3432 by timothyholden, on Flickr

a268A3396 by timothyholden, on Flickr

a268A3245 by timothyholden, on Flickr

The only shot I got of the Phinal departure. It was a very grainy shot and into the sun. I did my best to clean it up a bit butnot really happy with it. I will include is for historical purposes.

a268A3230 by timothyholden, on Flickr

[paddyboy]

Hi Tim

Simply Phantastic

I remember the 74Sqdn Tiger Bird well

It was similar at Binbrook after the Frightning’s demise, re: the ‘boneyard’

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[Mustang531]

Some great memories here, with a tint of sadness. Was it about thirty years ago that al this happened? I remember the dump area too. Thanks for sharing these.

[Stug298]

Awful pictures...........not a bit of it , you recorded history as best you could and that's what counts mate content not quality is what matters......cheers

[Weazel69]

Mustang531 - for the Record -
the 56 SQUADRON - STANDOWN - was 01.07.1992
the 74 SQUADRON - STANDOWN - was 01.10.1992

and I was there on the approach, where I graphed all the F4's involved and who know's maybe one day like many others of you I will get round to copying & posting my images

[TimFoo]

Brilliant set...

You could get into the dump if you went on a Sunday..
img653 by Tim Trethewey, on Flickr

img654 by Tim Trethewey, on Flickr

[Mustang531]

That last one, XV574, I think that's the one that the Navigator in the rear seat played the bagpipes at Mach 2 and set some form of record. I did read it somewhere and hope that someone can confirm and it's not an urban myth.

[Weazel69]

That last one, XV574, I think that's the one that the Navigator in the rear seat played the bagpipes at Mach 2 and set some form of record. I did read it somewhere and hope that someone can confirm and it's not an urban myth.

Hi Mustang - when I did a spell at RAF COLTISHALL as a civvie Forward Delivery driver, there was a guy there by the name of John Welton MBE
( and meaning no disrespect to John, I cannot remember his Rank/Trade or as to wether he was civvy also) But he had a bit of a reputation of something to do with bagpipes
Unless he reads this site and can help you, I will do a bit of diggin', but that's a few years back as Colt has been Shut now for 17yrs

[F3]

Much enjoyed all four of these posts for the memories they've evoked. The wife's bother-in-law was stationed there for the last two years so I managed to get down on a few occasions, incl the 56 Sqn, photocall. Also managed to collect four issues of the Station mag which are now among my most treasured memorabilia. I've also taken a few pics from that well known spotting site so I can really relate to that 1st. pic which encapsulates everything good about the mighty Toom. Good job!

[Weazel69]

Hi again Tim
thanx for your PM reply and this certainly proves it isn't what you know, but whom and get's you the result's which I hasten to add are very good
forgot to ask though are these downloads from print's or slide's.??

[Tim Holden]

I now regret not shooting slides. Slides digitise so much better. I have a high end slide scanner and have experimenting with scanning negatives, but struggle to get accurate colours. Shots taken on a sunny day convert ok but grey day shots have weird colour tones that are difficult to correct. I have resorted to photographing the prints. Still experimenting. On dark areas you seem to get light reflections that can be a pain to get rid of. Shots taken on 400 ASA film are quite grainy. It's tough to get rid of.

[TimFoo]

Hi again Tim
thanx for your PM reply and this certainly proves it isn't what you know, but whom and get's you the result's which I hasten to add are very good
forgot to ask though are these downloads from print's or slide's.??

[MR TERRY GREEN]

There was never an awful picture of an f=4.Great stuff.

[Petepilot]

There was never an awful picture of an f=4.Great stuff.

NEVER a truer word said!!!

[Petepilot]

Another great set Tim!

[The Phantom]

Another super post Tim

Nothing wrong with that final image - what a historical capture

Seeing those amazing aircraft lined up with the 'x's on them is very sad

[Danm174]

Superb shots
Thanks for posting
Dan