Yeovilton Viewing Area

[Matt_Rowley]

Hi Folks,

Im moving back to the Yeovil area after moving away about 10 years ago and am hoping to get some spotting in at Yeovilton at some point but had a couple of questions.

Are there any specific viewing areas like there are at Lakenheath / Mildenhall / Coningsby?
Are there any sources other than tracking sit3s etc that might give visibility of any potential inbound/outbound flights?

I also will only be a stones through from what was Westlands (now Leonardo I think) so am hoping to shoot there too.

Thanks in advance

[colt99]

Pyle lane is a good place, in between the two runways. Put a postcode to the Fleet Air Arm church and its just around the corner.
Yeovil has always been more difficult for me as I'm not local, the best I have found is the Leisure centre carpark on the oppsite side of the hangars

[Yammer]

""Are there any sources other than tracking sit3s etc that might give visibility of any potential inbound/outbound flights?""

Hi Matt - a radio with the local Somerset freqs will give you heads up as to whats in the vicinity and their intentions.

Re Yeovil there is/was a public footpath on the western perimeter that gives a partial view of the ramp area.

[JAWS]

Not sure how up to date it is, but will give you an idea of where to go.

https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.u ... vilton.php

[Matt_Rowley]

thanks guys that's great

[Vulture 01]

I was at point H last week for a short while. Very good when helicopters are landing to the east. Take a long lens though!

[Matt_Rowley]

I was at point H last week for a short while. Very good when helicopters are landing to the east. Take a long lens though!

What focal length are you generally shooting? ive a 100-400 mk2 on a full frame mirrorless R5...also have a 1.4x TC but lose will lose a stop.

[Vulture 01]

Sorry for late reply!
I was using a 150-500 zoom. I'd guess c 300mmor more depending on type. I bagged Merlins, Wildcats and a Thales DA42 that afternoon. All in 30 minutes.

[nickn]

Is viewing from the the sheep field still allowed or frowned upon now? Must be 10+ years since I last spotted at RNAS Yeovilton but my son wants to go.

[Malcolm]

Is viewing from the the sheep field still allowed or frowned upon now? Must be 10÷ years since I last spotted at RNAS Yeovilton but my son wants to go.

There is a public right of way across parts of Sheep field, so it's perfectly ok to use it, and I've never been bothered. Except on Airshow days when the County council typically grant a TRO to close the right of way. Just don't be silly and stand directly under the approach, or in amongst the lights.

However, fixed wing/fast jet activity is now very sparse, so you could stand there all day and see bu99er all. If I were you I'd stick with Pyle Lane, or Speckington.

[nickn]

Is viewing from the the sheep field still allowed or frowned upon now? Must be 10÷ years since I last spotted at RNAS Yeovilton but my son wants to go.

There is a public right of way across parts of Sheep field, so it's perfectly ok to use it, and I've never been bothered. Except on Airshow days when the County council typically grant a TRO to close the right of way. Just don't be silly and stand directly under the approach, or in amongst the lights.

However, fixed wing/fast jet activity is now very sparse, so you could stand there all day and see bu99er all. If I were you I'd stick with Pyle Lane, or Speckington.

Sad to hear but sign of the times I guess, planning to head up on the 27th for the day and can always call in to the FAAM if its too quiet.