Leeming F3s - Pt 1 Formation of the Wing 1988 - 89

[F3]

Having read 3Greens excellent post on the Tornado ADV, which focusses primarily on Coningsby, I decided to attempt to give a Leeming perspective. As he correctly states IX Sqn was the first of the Leeming Wing and its jets were delivered to Coningsby as construction work had nt been completed at Leeming and it was described by contemporary sources as 'a sea of mud'. Serials of the 12 allotted were mostly in the range ZE785 - 794 altho' there were also ZE764 and 808 which were the previous and next a/c off the production line. The former rec'd the code letters DH and became the personal a/c of the CO, Wg./Cdr David Hamilton subsequently receiving a special paint scheme similar to that worn by the Sqn's Lightning flagship. However this was applied in stages as illustrated by the pic below, taken on a very misty October morn. As the Sqn. was assigned to SACLANT it was a deployable asset and so operated from the traditional flightline rather than a HAS site. The second Sqn to form was no. 23 (The Red Eagles) on Nov 1 '88, it's standard having to be brought from The Falklands for the occasion. The serials of its jets were in the range ZE809/812 and ZE830 -837. Unfortunately 834 suffered Cat 4 damage while on APC in Cyprus in July '89 and later that same month 833 was lost when it crashed into the sea off Newcastle. There was some speculation about the number plate which would be allocated to third unit of the Leeming Wing but this was revealed as XXV Sqn at the 1989 Finningley Air Show when Ian Black flew in ZE858 FB resplendant with the newly applied glitterband on the fin for static display. The Leeming Wing was now complete but would soon be thrown into a state of flux with Iraq's invasion of Kuwait the following year.

ZE 785 DA 1st XI Sqn Coningsby '88 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Leeming - F3 ZE764 DH XI Sqn. by Michael Britton, on Flickr

ZE791 DF XI Sqn (100th ADV) Teesside '89 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Ze906 EZ 23 Sqn Teesside Display '89 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

ZE894 EU 23 Sqn circa 1990 40% by Michael Britton, on Flickr

ZE858 FB 1st XXV Sqn aircraft @ Finningley 90 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

ZE934 DX XI Sqn @ Leeming Country Fair '91 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[Mustang531]

Thanks for sharing these, some great memories seeing these. Nice selection of shots too.

[Jason36]

Loved the F3

[paddyboy]

Hi Mick

Some great shots in the mix there

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[teeonefixer]

A concise history + relevant (&good) photos = quality post !

[3Greens]

Nice set Michael and pleased to get the Leeming angle coverred.
I did make a few visits there from a holiday cottage the family regularly used near Pickering. I seem to remember a decent view of the approach at the northern end (Rwy 16) down a farm track. The southern approach seemed pretty dodgy with passing traffic nearby.

Thanks for posting
Keith (3Greens)

[F3]

Hi Keith,
Yes, I know the spot @ the N. end you mean. Used to go there myself before the viewing area was developed. However it is only good if they're landing that end and does nt provide a view of the pan. Other end does nt have many viewing spots and the farmers are v. sensitive too. My favoured spot was the crash gate behind Londonderry lorry park where you could access the roof of a redundant guard room but I gather a high fence has been erected there now so I always use the viewing area these days.

[3Greens]

Hi Keith,
Yes, I know the spot @ the N. end you mean. Used to go there myself before the viewing area was developed. However it is only good if they're landing that end and does nt provide a view of the pan. Other end does nt have many viewing spots and the farmers are v. sensitive too. My favoured spot was the crash gate behind Londonderry lorry park where you could access the roof of a redundant guard room but I gather a high fence has been erected there now so I always use the viewing area these days.

Hi Michael,
Yes know that one well as I used to do alot of business with Londonderry Garages who have the adjacent site. Their annual Truck Show there allowed me to work and enjoy some spotting for a couple of days.
Happy days

[KeBul]

Nice backstory and pictures Michael,

Thanks for sharing

Kev