F-3's Over Lincoln

[sanf]

This morning had 3 Tornado F-3's, in tight formation, fly very low and slowy over our house, heading over Scampton way. Was this a farewell flight of RAF bases as per the Harrier??

Does seem bonkers to be pushing ahead with retiring them while we're now involved with Libya.

Edited by sanf on Thursday 24th March 12:43

[Eric Mc]

More than likely.

[Mojocvh]

Yes. Three ship round robin Conningsby etc, etc.

Good luck to the WSO's and pilots and groundcrews.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lkmIn10Uo8&fea...


An earlier episode of lunacy... http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2008/474-56sqn...

Edited by Mojocvh on Thursday 24th March 18:59

[Wedg1e]

Probably an aerial survey to decide which base to close next . Rumour has it that if your base starts with an 'L', you're in trouble... especially if you're in Scotland. I was at Kinloss a few days ago, they've already started demolishing buildings and there were lorry-loads of stuff going out. It'll be a business park before you know it (as will Cottesmore and - probably - Leeming).
Even more madness: some portable buildings were due to be resited at St. Athan, until someone pointed out that the Welsh government CHARGES the RAF a per-buildng rate, even for Portacabins.

[thatone1967]

sanf said:

This morning had 3 Tornado F-3's, in tight formation, fly very low and slowy over our house, heading over Scampton way. Was this a farewell flight of RAF bases as per the Harrier??

Does seem bonkers to be pushing ahead with retiring them while we're now involved with Libya.

Edited by sanf on Thursday 24th March 12:43

Yes and Yes

[PaulG40]

Mojocvh said:

Yes. Three ship round robin Conningsby etc, etc.

Good luck to the WSO's and pilots and groundcrews.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lkmIn10Uo8&fea...


An earlier episode of lunacy... http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2008/474-56sqn...

Edited by Mojocvh on Thursday 24th March 18:59

Watched them over Coningsby, there were supposed to be 4 F3s doing an 'overflight' at 1025 local, only 3 made it though although it was about 1130 local by the time they flew over. Shame to see them go, I remember many a '10' change and playing the radar lottery as to if the replacement radar LRUs would be U/S on fit or not, a 50% serviceability rate out of the bay was never a comfort. lol.

I hoped they would do a few 'beat ups' over Conz, sadly no though. They just flew over into circuit, dummy landing/roller, regrouped and buggered off.

Bye bye F3s, especially ZE731 and ZE785!

[PaulG40]

A few pics from www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum of the F3s from the OEU.

Some (I think) great pics!