Live fire exercise
Discussion
Growing up in ingoldmells as a young lad, often at night time and by day, you could hear a distinctive ‘BRRRRRR’. My dad used to say it was god moving furniture, but he soon revealed to me to what was RAF Wainfleet, and the ‘BRRRRR’ were in fact a10 tank busters. Anyway from that day I used to go and view often to see all sorts of aircraft, tornado ( my favourite), F15’s, harriers ect ect. They even had a phone number to see what was coming in and at what time. Dona nook was also another that I used to go to often, could even see the seals while there. My question is, this was years ago now and I know RAF wainfleet has now been disbanded, but is there anywhere like it nowadays preferably down south. Would love to take the kids and bring back some memories.
I remember going up to Donna Nook once as friends lived in Louth, was an awesome place.
it was a weekend and no firing, so went out to the targets, and the big triangles down the beach, found loads of old cases mainly 20m practice ones but a few 30's
Also found what looked like an old turbine with huge holes in it, was amazed as it was so thick!
Then very stupidly my mate started tugging at a praccy bomb tail that was stuck out the sand, we had found a few, but this was almost vertical and you can guess what happened, we started digging, I saw the sort of blue colour that meant either all or part of the centre section was still there, we ran a bloody mile!
it was a weekend and no firing, so went out to the targets, and the big triangles down the beach, found loads of old cases mainly 20m practice ones but a few 30's
Also found what looked like an old turbine with huge holes in it, was amazed as it was so thick!
Then very stupidly my mate started tugging at a praccy bomb tail that was stuck out the sand, we had found a few, but this was almost vertical and you can guess what happened, we started digging, I saw the sort of blue colour that meant either all or part of the centre section was still there, we ran a bloody mile!
LukeBrown66 said:
I remember going up to Donna Nook once as friends lived in Louth, was an awesome place.
it was a weekend and no firing, so went out to the targets, and the big triangles down the beach, found loads of old cases mainly 20m practice ones but a few 30's
Also found what looked like an old turbine with huge holes in it, was amazed as it was so thick!
Then very stupidly my mate started tugging at a praccy bomb tail that was stuck out the sand, we had found a few, but this was almost vertical and you can guess what happened, we started digging, I saw the sort of blue colour that meant either all or part of the centre section was still there, we ran a bloody mile!
Doesn’t blue mean it’s concrete? it was a weekend and no firing, so went out to the targets, and the big triangles down the beach, found loads of old cases mainly 20m practice ones but a few 30's
Also found what looked like an old turbine with huge holes in it, was amazed as it was so thick!
Then very stupidly my mate started tugging at a praccy bomb tail that was stuck out the sand, we had found a few, but this was almost vertical and you can guess what happened, we started digging, I saw the sort of blue colour that meant either all or part of the centre section was still there, we ran a bloody mile!
Pembrey is still used, and you can spot aircraft on circuits from Gower.
Castlemartin is also occasionally used for door-gunning, and Pending is also used very occasionally for unprepared landings on the beach.
Night time shoots down Castlemartin are impressive when the CR2 are on range. I'm not sure where best to watch it, but follow the RTR on Facebook and then a Tuesday or Thursday evening is prime time.
Castlemartin is also occasionally used for door-gunning, and Pending is also used very occasionally for unprepared landings on the beach.
Night time shoots down Castlemartin are impressive when the CR2 are on range. I'm not sure where best to watch it, but follow the RTR on Facebook and then a Tuesday or Thursday evening is prime time.
Evanivitch said:
Pembrey is still used, and you can spot aircraft on circuits from Gower.
Castlemartin is also occasionally used for door-gunning, and Pending is also used very occasionally for unprepared landings on the beach.
Night time shoots down Castlemartin are impressive when the CR2 are on range. I'm not sure where best to watch it, but follow the RTR on Facebook and then a Tuesday or Thursday evening is prime time.
Quite often hear helicopters and machine gun fire from Castlemartin when we’re at Barafundle or Broadhaven. Seems a bit out of place. Not so long ago (OK c. 2008!) we watching Tornado GR4s running in towards the range from the sea. There’s a large disused aerial target on the range near St.Govans - had a look round when we were down there in September.Castlemartin is also occasionally used for door-gunning, and Pending is also used very occasionally for unprepared landings on the beach.
Night time shoots down Castlemartin are impressive when the CR2 are on range. I'm not sure where best to watch it, but follow the RTR on Facebook and then a Tuesday or Thursday evening is prime time.
Krikkit said:
Lived in Louth for 4 years, one of my stupidest mistakes is not going to see the firing at Donna!
Not often they have really interesting stuff going on though.
I lived in Mablethorpe in the '50s and as a seven year old mounted expeditions to Donna Nook to watch. Got chased off a few times but never caught. Not often they have really interesting stuff going on though.
Evanivitch said:
Pembrey is still used, and you can spot aircraft on circuits from Gower.
Castlemartin is also occasionally used for door-gunning, and Pending is also used very occasionally for unprepared landings on the beach.
Night time shoots down Castlemartin are impressive when the CR2 are on range. I'm not sure where best to watch it, but follow the RTR on Facebook and then a Tuesday or Thursday evening is prime time.
My first year of secondary school was spent on North Gower in the late 70's. We used to see Hawks, Harriers etc using their SNEB rocket pods Phantoms with their cannons and I can still remember the very distinctive sound of the A10 doing strafing runs.Castlemartin is also occasionally used for door-gunning, and Pending is also used very occasionally for unprepared landings on the beach.
Night time shoots down Castlemartin are impressive when the CR2 are on range. I'm not sure where best to watch it, but follow the RTR on Facebook and then a Tuesday or Thursday evening is prime time.
Whiteford Burrows beach on North Gower was always getting closed off as ordnance kept,( it still does) washing up on the beach.
aeropilot said:
Only these 4 active ranges left now (and I'm not sure how much use is made of Pembury these days?)
Donna Nook and Holbeach in Lincolnshire
Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire
Tain in Ross-shire
Cape Wrath in Sutherland
Aberporth is still used isnt it, we chucked some Sea Skuas at the Cod a few years ago....Donna Nook and Holbeach in Lincolnshire
Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire
Tain in Ross-shire
Cape Wrath in Sutherland
pablo said:
aeropilot said:
Only these 4 active ranges left now (and I'm not sure how much use is made of Pembury these days?)
Donna Nook and Holbeach in Lincolnshire
Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire
Tain in Ross-shire
Cape Wrath in Sutherland
Aberporth is still used isnt it, we chucked some Sea Skuas at the Cod a few years ago....Donna Nook and Holbeach in Lincolnshire
Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire
Tain in Ross-shire
Cape Wrath in Sutherland
I used to go sailing near the Pembrey range and we'd pass through the range area as we left the river estuary. On at least one occasion a hawk would break off and circle whilst as transited the danger area. As my skipper was ex-RN Phantom pilot we would try and avoid spoiling their fun but the tide times often left little option.
The sound of the guns was distinctive and good to hear!
The sound of the guns was distinctive and good to hear!
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