Lakenheath Open Days '88 & '90

[F3]

It is clear from the posts on this site that Lakenheath is a top spotting venue but these days there are few opportunities to access the base. It was nt always so. For a couple of years years, prior to the Gulf War, whilst the F111s were still in residence it hosted Open Days in late August which were enjoyed by enthusiasts. The 1988 one offered the 1st opportunity to get up close and personal with the B-1 which was making its debut in a UK static display but there were few foreign visitors. The 1990 event also had few visitors but they notably included a German F-104G which must have been about the last example still in service.

[mushbuster]

Great memories and great photos. Although I remember the B1 on static in 88 as the first one in the UK, both Mildenhall in May 89 (flying and static) and IAT in July 89 (flying and static) had B1s present

[Jackaroo]

I didn't know they had Thuds based at Lakenheath?? Or is that one for the fire department?

[F3]

Thanks for jogging the old memory Mushbuster. This was definitely the Bone's 1st visit, as is evident from the high security measures in shot, so was clearly '88. Fairly sure the last event was '90 but don't hold me to that.

I think the Thud had been assigned for Battle Damage Repair trng Jackaroo but was still in such good nick that its cockpit was open for inspection with steps up the other side and hence could only be properly photographed from the other side.

[mushbuster]

F3, I think you have a mix of 88 and 89 photos.

[Knife 04]

Just about to log off from work and saw this!

Excellent post and a great variety of aircraft - think this was the 1st visit (1988) to an airshow in the UK by the B-1 with it appearing in Air Fete 89 flying and static ('Wolf Hound'?)

Thud was also around for the Open Days in July 1986 as was 1 Mystere (only display I got to) - it was also in good condition then

These open days look to have been held on the north side whereas the one in 86 was a south side display and if you wandered out through the main gate a good chance to get the F-100 on the pole!

Great post F3

Cheers

Darren

[paddyboy]

I will have to dig my proggies out, as me and SWMBO were always there for the open days

The last may have been about 1990, as I still had the old VW T2 fcuk truck then

Thanks for some wonderful memories

Paddyboy

[Hunter49]

Hi, great memories i only went once and as i recall the public where on the far side of the airfield cant remember the year ? thanks ROB

[Knife 04]

I will have to dig my proggies out, as me and SWMBO were always there for the open days

The last may have been about 1990, as I still had the old VW T2 fcuk truck then

Thanks for some wonderful memories

Paddyboy

Dig them out Patrick - would be great to see them

Have the negs from '86 scanned now - now just give me a year to process!

Cheers

Darren

[Lakerdc10]

Great post

I was at a number of the LN open days and this just brings back all those wonderful memories.
Re the KC135 59-1515 - now nearly thirty years on from the photo, didn't this depart Mildenhall yesterday 18th May 2016?
I did prefer the colour scheme back them. I wonder how many re-paints it has had since that photo?

Graham

[F3]

Nice to know some of the subjects are still flying. Wish the Buccaneer, Phantom, F104 + F111 were. Agree that it looked good in that paint scheme which had probably been recently been applied - possibly at the time it was re-engined.

[paddyboy]

Hi Peeps

Just dug all my remaining proggies out for the 'Heath

They consist of: 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1991 and 1992

When I get the chance (SWMBO's health allowing) I will put them up, one at a time

Cheers

Paddyboy

[slogen51]

Good memories.

Back in the day there must have been a show almost every weekend during the summer months.

[Sparky 119]

If memory serves wasn't the 88 show the same day as the ill fated event's at Ramstein.

[Precinct7]

It was indeed the same day 28th August 1988

the Frecce Tricolori were at the Bentwaters show the weekend before

[paddyboy]

Hi 'Precinct17'

I have posted this before, but, to reiterate, the show they pulled at Benty, with iffy cloud, was a full show, and we lost them for quite some part of the display.

This all seemed a bit 'cavalier', but the Frecci were always the most 'Cavalier' of the teams we watched.

They paid in spades the following weekend.

Paddyboy.

[Knife 04]

I am a huge Bone fan and seeing that marvellous capture back when it was cutting-edge and protected by a guard and dog -- awesome!


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Check out PaulN's post of Farnborough 1982(?) further back Mr V - B-1A in sand camo!

Cheers

Darren

Edit - apologies Mr V - looks like Paul has removed from the post - any chance Paul?

[ChrisCwmbran]

Great selection of pics! Thanks for sharing!