Hoping to visit in April

[flyingslug_0]

Hi all, after seeing the great pics of "RAF Harriers over west Tynedale and Hadrian's Wall" by Catkins the wife said she wanted to see this part of the country. We have booked ourselves into the Otterburn Hall Hotel for a few days on the 12th April. I noticed on the RAF web site that Spadeadam will be involved in JOINT WARRIOR 09/01.

Can anyone please advise me where a good place to go to watch the action, and how to get there? We will be in the area for 3 days so I'm hoping the trip will have lots of flying.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Craig

[catkins]

I think unfortunately some of the previous information posted about good spotting locations disappeared in the 'reorganising' of this site last year.

Wiley Sike at Spadeadam tends to be the place to head for but what's there and when can be rather a good guessing game. If heading there get a good map, don't enter the main MOD area, instead turn right near Moscow NY 62540 68820, stick to the road, don't wander onto the grass (there may not be many signs but they may be rather unhappy to see you in the wrong place), and be considerate of the local users of the single lane track as there aren't many good passing places but there are many good soft verges!

Some of the lead-in locations to the east can be worth taking a risk - a road from Simonburn to Stonehaugh runs parallel to a lead-in valley but again its a single lane road with few passing places, soft verges and some big fast timber lorries hurtling towards you.

If near Otterburn, again a bit of a guessing game, but have a look at http://www.otterburnranges.co.uk/home/map/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://www.northumberlandnationalpark.o ... ainingarea" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - aircraft can tend to access from Rothbury direction and head into range near Harbottle area or come over from the south west / Spadeadam near Kielder. If big guns are about they can be spectacular to watch too. There are some very good leaflets about the range so pcik them up at the TIC in Otterburn Mill.

Have fun and good luck
Chris

[johnhowe]

Hi Craig, Welcome to the forum, Otturburn Hall has a number of advantages when visiting that part of Northumberland, one
being that Officers attending Exercises at Otturburn are billeted there on occasions. If the weather is inclement I recommend
a visit to Cragside in Rothbury it is a National Trust property and the food is excellent. Alnwick Castle and its garden is well
worth a visit.

To get back to Aviation RAF Boulmer is only a few miles away on the east coast. Spaces, RAF Spadeadam Remote Emitter
Station is situated on Brunton Airfield, and of course the 323 ranges are just off the coast. Last but not least is Brizlee Range.

[Michael Leek]

Are the locations described in this thread good for photography? If so, what would be the ideal zoom to use (my maximum is 400mm)?

Can you get as close to the action as you can on Salisbury Plain?

[catkins]

Are the locations described in this thread good for photography? If so, what would be the ideal zoom to use (my maximum is 400mm)?

Can you get as close to the action as you can on Salisbury Plain?

It may be best for others to answer as well!
However, re Spadeadam (and elsewhere in this region) much will depend on what is happening, luck and sod's law.
Spadeadam should be fine for 400mm if the action is in the Wiley Sike part of the range and is relatively low level. It is the best general location for photography in this area.
You can get to some areas on the fringes of the range that are on the run-in routes and hit lucky on the rare occasions.
If FAC are at Wiley Sike then chances are improved if the lads are chatty and friendly (& vice versa).
And on Thursday you'll generally find a group of stalwarts at Wiley Sike who seem to be part of the scenery(!!), enjoy a chat and have lots of good knowledge about Spade and other areas.
If aircraft are using the northern or western parts of the range then any lens is pretty limited - I have a cheap and cheerful Oly 600mm max zoom and you're still a long way from the nice detail type photos.

NOTAMS for Spade will give a few clues for FAC type ops, but odds and sods will come by on other days - range officers here and at Otterburn could give useful info in the past (but I gather can sometimesbe less helpful now-a-days), but I tend to just go and enjoy the scenery and cross fingers!

Good luck - if nothing else there's some lovely scenery to see, so hope the weather holds good for you too.

I'm not too sure about Otterburn, but check the webpages noted previously for a few clues nearer the time, as well as the MOD exercises/low fly web pages.

Regards
Chris

[Michael Leek]

Thanks very much for the detailed reply Chris - much appreciated.

[flyingslug_0]

Really looking forward to tomorrow (12th) I'm all packed and ready to go. Many thanks to eveyones kind advise. I hope the weather keeps good and that a lot of flying is seen. If I get any good shots I'll post them on wednesday when we get back.

[catkins]

Really looking forward to tomorrow (12th) I'm all packed and ready to go. Many thanks to eveyones kind advise. I hope the weather keeps good and that a lot of flying is seen. If I get any good shots I'll post them on wednesday when we get back.

I see that the NOTAM for Joint Warrior ex for the hours of 0800 to 2200 tomorrow (12th April) is advising
"EXER JOINT WARRIOR 101. CLOSE AIR SUPPORT OF GROUND FORCES INVOLVING INTENSE AERIAL ACTIVITY WI AREA BOUNDED BY 5525N 00240W-5543N 00240W-5547N 00230W-5547N 00200W-5530N 00130W-5520N 00130W-5520N 00200W-5525N 00240W (COLDSTREAM AREA). MAJORITY OF HIGH ENERGY MANOEUVRES BELOW 5000FT AGL. CTC 01436 674321 EXTENSION 4006/7. AUS 10-04-0009/AS4".

This is in an area covering from the very north end of the Otterburn ranges, centred on the Millfield basin (near Ford & Etal) and into the southern part of the Scottish Borders, and from there out to the North Sea. Who's for climbing the Cheviot in the good weather to see what the view is like from that altitude??!! Looks like the Borders are the place to catch a few racetracks and passing traffic.

There is also a NOTAM for Spadeadam "DANGER AREA EG D510 SPADEADAM ACTIVE ABOVE NORMAL LEVEL" between 1300 and 1600 tomorrow.

[flyingslug_0]

Just about to leave weather not brill, I'll be driving all over the area so if u see a grey BMW looking lost please come and say high
regards

Craig

[catkins]

Just about to leave weather not brill, I'll be driving all over the area so if u see a grey BMW looking lost please come and say high
regards

Craig

Not sure where you're driving from, but brilliant clear blue skies, sun and perfect spotting weather up here today and good forecast, so we're obviously laying on a good welcome for you - enjoy your visit! (And I suppose the bad news is that the sun is so bright you'll have to get your photo locations just right to prevent the contre-jour shots!! )

Regards
Chris

[flyingslug_0]

Hi chris we've arrived at otterburn lovely and sunny. Is spadeadam off the A69?
Regards
craig

[catkins]

Hi chris we've arrived at otterburn lovely and sunny. Is spadeadam off the A69?
Regards
craig

Hi & sorry if this comes a little late - out until now!
Scenic and often the faster route from Otterburn - A68 all the way down to Stagshaw Roundabout (first one you'll come to, and it's at the top of the hill just before Tyne Valley/Corbridge). Turn right at roundabout onto the Military Road B6318 which takes you alongside Hadrian's Wall westwards all the way to Greenhead (don't go onto the A69) turn right at the far end of the village still following the B6318 to Gisland (narrowish twisty road). Turn right in Gisland (on a big bend), cross over river and follow road round to the right (should be marked RAF Spadeadam) - the road twists and turns up past Gisland Spa (big hotel like building) until you pass on your left a house called Moscow - shortly after just before warning signs for RAF Spadeadam turn right - this is the road to Wiley Sike with one large area to park and a couple of smaller locations beyond. Verges are soft, parking is limited and road is narrow, so remember the locals!
A69 is often busier, full of lorries, shoppers and sales reps, and is stuck down in the valley, while the Military Road is the total opposite!

There hasn't been much obvious air movement over this part of Tynedale today, but I haven't been near the scanner. Merlins were flying low northwards mid-morning tho. NOTAM for tomorrow again covers east Borders area. Good luck with the hunt and hope that the scenery impresses even if the aircraft are always over the next horizon!

Regards
Chris

[flyingslug_0]

Again a huge thanks Chris, had a great day just looking at the area beutuful is not the word that does the area justice. Going to spend all day today at spadeadam so fingers crossed. I'll post any pics I get later tonight. Many thanks fir all ur help. Regards
Craig

[flyingslug_0]

Just had a Tornado come through but didn't have my camera ready

[hertsman]

I think unfortunately some of the previous information posted about good spotting locations disappeared in the 'reorganising' of this site last year..........

Chris

I kept copies of various postings relating to Spadeadam and Otterburn from the previous FC dating from early to mid 2009. However, I did not keep the usernames of the posters. I could post their information but am unable to to give proper accreditation. I don't want to offend anyone or create issues with the previous FC, so administrators, please advise.

herstman

[catkins]

I think unfortunately some of the previous information posted about good spotting locations disappeared in the 'reorganising' of this site last year..........

Chris

I kept copies of various postings relating to Spadeadam and Otterburn from the previous FC dating from early to mid 2009. However, I did not keep the usernames of the posters. I could post their information but am unable to to give proper accreditation. I don't want to offend anyone or create issues with the previous FC, so administrators, please advise.

herstman

I've posted some previously and am quite happy for any copies of those to be reposted, if of any help

Regards
Chris

[flyingslug_0]

Hi all, I'd like to personally thank Catkins (Chris) for all his help and patients. My wife and I had a great break and saw so much of this part of the country that we hadn't seen before. We spent all day at Spadeadam for little reward....but hey thats what this hobby is all about. ..................Chris on behalf of Paula and my self Thank you. I'd like to thank also to everyone who very kindly gave advise on this topic.



If ever you guys need advise or travilling around the Doncaster area then please do not hesitate to ask.

[catkins]

Hi all, I'd like to personally thank Catkins (Chris) for all his help and patients. My wife and I had a great break and saw so much of this part of the country that we hadn't seen before. We spent all day at Spadeadam for little reward....but hey thats what this hobby is all about. ..................Chris on behalf of Paula and my self Thank you. I'd like to thank also to everyone who very kindly gave advise on this topic.

If ever you guys need advise or travilling around the Doncaster area then please do not hesitate to ask.

Well you're too kind - but others have helped me in the past and a few clues in a new area are always useful in making the most of a visit, so I'm really pleased that I could help sort out some decent weather for you!!

Spadeadam is always a bit hit and miss for low flying now-a-days and perhaps the Ex.J.W. has meant even less overflights, but if ever back up in the area for the scenery, visit on a Thursday when you'll meet some of the real diehards (you think they're there for the chat, but just wait to you see their portfolios!)
Regards
Chris