Red Arrows RAF Scampton air base to be sold off

[reheat module]

It's worth realising that the MoD is not run by Senior Officer Core personnel, it is managed (as it has been now for many years), by bean-counters and fiscal agencies who see prime land, estate and opportunities to save money everywhere.
With such a huge bill for defence (covering everything from limited procurement to pensions [Hurrah]), it has to be paid for somewhere.
In the great balance book of Whitehall, history and prestige does not carry the glamour or need of savings.
It's also dangerous to suggest that RAFAT is always safe...

[NAM Updater]

To add a bit of clarity to the heritage site idea here's what I posted on UKAR this morning, there's lots of information about the proposal in the weblink!

"Secondly there was a feasibility study done via Lincs County Council (LCC) about using the Scampton site for aviation - those discussions are referenced in here http://lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=1891

Since then most of the LCC heritage services inc. the BBMF Visitor Centre @ Coningsby have been earmarked to move out of direct council control."

[Drinkmat]

While I was in the RAF, the Reds weren't as popular among certain elements of the RAF as they were with the general public. I was around when they were moved to Marham & Cranwell. I was told that both breathed a collective sigh of relief when they were moved back to Scampton, as their training regime was so limiting to other operators. Telling the Tornado force that their airspace was embargoed six times a day flew like a lead balloon.

Wittering gets my vote as the only logical choice towards the centre of the country, although I don't pretend to be up to date with current airspace in that area, as others on here no doubt will be. Far enough away from Coningsby and Cranwell for them the breath a sigh of relief and possibly causing no disruption to operational training.

Any speculation as to what might happen to the grave of the dog I dare not mention in public for fear of being arrested?

[reheat module]

While I was in the RAF, the Reds weren't as popular among certain elements of the RAF as they were with the general public. I was around when they were moved to Marham & Cranwell. I was told that both breathed a collective sigh of relief when they were moved back to Scampton, as their training regime was so limiting to other operators. Telling the Tornado force that their airspace was embargoed six times a day flew like a lead balloon.

Wittering gets my vote as the only logical choice towards the centre of the country, although I don't pretend to be up to date with current airspace in that area, as others on here no doubt will be. Far enough away from Coningsby and Cranwell for them the breath a sigh of relief and possibly causing no disruption to operational training.

Any speculation as to what might happen to the grave of the dog I dare not mention in public for fear of being arrested?

I hear ya fella.
I was on Central Flying School at Scampton in the late 80s and very early 90s.
We had a line of up to 20+ JP 3/5, Tucano and Bulldogs.
For up to 6 times a day, our planned programme was at best 'disrupted', at worse scrapped to accommodate RAFAT.
Often our aircraft landed away at Waddington as the airspace was blocked from the moment the aircrew walked for the Hawks.
Great bunch of engineers, but the Sqn comes with operational baggage...
Can't see Waddington or Coningsby accepting such constraints.

[baz1]

I wonder what will happen to Air Defence unit based there and further more if its used for housing what about the underground bomb storage units on the north side,( Radio Active) ???

[Snoop 95]

Cranwell? Good area to practice over the North Sea.

[chrisward123]

Reports on another forum strongly suggest RAF Wittering as the new home of the Reds

[DJ17]

When did an "RAF Station" become an "air base?" Honestly.

[Fighterfoto]

Whatever other forums say the decision has genuinely not yet been taken on where RAFAT will move to.

[rh226]

Next related question (but nothing to do with the Reds) is ...... what about HHA?

[nickowen]

Somebody (though I cannot remember who) mentioned Yeovilton as a possibility for HHA.

[Gus0898uk]

Wittering has been mentioned but wasn't there a suggestion in the past for the Reds to move to Leeming, but the (rubbernecking) drivers on the adjacent A1 put paid to that idea. Hmmm.

[DaleRFU]

I remember a while ago that with a new typhoon squadron standing up at Coningsby that the bbmf might of relocated to scampton, (if there was any truth in that I don't know) I guess they will not be moving there if it's closing.

Leering would be my choice (not that I get one) for the Reds given the vast amount of airspace around North Yorkshire especially with Linton closing down.

[Agent K]

I remember a while ago that with a new typhoon squadron standing up at Coningsby that the bbmf might of relocated to scampton, (if there was any truth in that I don't know) I guess they will not be moving there if it's closing.

Leering would be my choice (not that I get one) for the Reds given the vast amount of airspace around North Yorkshire especially with Linton closing down.

Is it really vast amounts of airspace they need, surely they need airspace from the ground to say 12,000ft? Having lived in Yorkshire for my younger life next to RAF Leeming I'd suggest a lot of that Yorkshire airspace wouldn't suit the needs (lack of clear centreline/runway, hilly, foggy, rainy, not flat etc.)

[the concerned]

I have heard that duxford was actually offered money to house both the reds and bbmf

[Redflag17]

BBMF will go eventually to Duxford I am sure, the Lancaster has a hangar there and the engineering experts are now in private co's at Duxford. Reds could go any where but Valley seems the most likely.

[PeteHemsley]

BBMF will go eventually to Duxford I am sure, the Lancaster has a hangar there and the engineering experts are now in private co's at Duxford. Reds could go any where but Valley seems the most likely.

The Lancaster does not have a hangar at Duxford. It used the ARC hangar for its major.

[Bluerigger1]

Leeming would be the logical choice.
1.The Tornado parts reclamation programme will be drawing to a close which frees up the hangar space requirements.
2.There is enough accommodation space for the RAF personnel to be housed.
3 100 Sqn don't tend to do much circuit bashing so the airspace is free relative to most other RAF Stations.
4 Joint location with another Hawk unit would help things such as BAe and Rolls Royce support.
5. A move to Wittering would mean moving out the flying units presently based there.
6. Leeming is chronically underused with only 100 Sqn and various joint exercises using the airfield.

The only down side is the lack of a simulator which is at Valley. I can't see Anglesey as a home for the Reds due to the lack of Hangar space, Accomodation and the airspace needs of 4 Sqn and the Texans (when they come out of hibernation).

But when has logic been the driver for MoD ideas ?

[RubyRoo]

It's sad to see another 2 bases go, but there's no real need of them any longer with such a diminished air force.

I agree that Leeming seems to be an ideal place for the Reds to move to. Where else could they realistically go? Unless we've finally found a tenant to keep Mildenhall going

[CGM]

Obviously never going to happen but what about Leuchars? Far less bodies there now the Army moved in than there was RAF bodies so there might be enough accomodation spare? You're not causing any disruption to other flying squadrons, far enough away from Edinburghs flightpaths. If the MOD want to save money, this place is mega underused.