Cranwell and Barkston Heath 27/07/20

[zz]

  A quick visit to these two bases on a wet and windy Monday morning (08.30-09.30) produced the following-

Cranwell

Prefects-

ZM301
ZM302
ZM303
ZM305
ZM306
ZM314
ZM321

Phenoms-

ZM334
ZM335
ZM336

I didn’t bother looking to see if any Tutors were out.

[zz]

Barkston Heath

Prefects-

ZM308
ZM309
ZM312
ZM317
ZM319

Plus 2 that couldn’t be read off in the hangar.

FR24 showed ZM304 and ZM318 airborne but neither were needed so I didn’t wait for them.


A successful morning, logging my last RAF Phenom and 6 of my last 10 Prefects.

[dave]

hi zz,
thanks for your logs, i'm planning a visit first week in August, also Typhoon main so keeping a eye on freerad to get a idea when its all happening... are they both easy to spot at?

stay safe, regards,
dave...

[zz]

Hi Dave

Cranwell and Barkston Heath are both very easy to view at.


CRANWELL

www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/spotting/cranwell.php

the aircraft info is a little outdated as it mentions King Airs and Dominies! But it shows the parking and viewing areas.

On this link, there is a small parking area at Point A. From here you can read off the parked Prefects and Phenoms and anything in the circuit will usually go over your head.
Points I, J, K for any Tutors if they’re out.
Point G for the small museum which has (or had - I’ve not looked there for a while) a Vampire nose and a Jet Provost nose.
Point N for the gate guards.

BARKSTON HEATH

www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/spotting/barkston-heath.php

Again, the info on this link is a little out-dated as it still talks about Fireflies being based.
However, it shows the airfield map and view points.
Today I parked on the opposite side of the road to the crash gate, which is probably at Point E. There is a turning into an industrial estate here which has been blocked off, but with enough room to park.
Anything holding for the usual runway direction can be seen here.
Walk down to halfway between Points D and E- this is the main entrance to airfield. You will see the Prefects lined up on the apron, and also be able to see into the hangar.

(You May be able to park here, rather than where I parked- there are a few bays outside the gate- but I’ve never tried as I don’t want to cause any problems. Maybe someone else here will have tried....?)

There was a Canberra fuselage on the airfield- shown on the link- I haven’t looked at/ for it for years so don’t know if it’s still visible.

Hope these help- but as you’ll find, both places are very easy to view T!
Cheers
Phil

[zz]

One last point- I arrived at 08.30 to try and see everything - Prefects had just got airborne at both bases already!

[dave]

hi zz,
thanks I will give it a go,

stay safe, regards,
dave...

[keithh]

Any ideas what happened to the Tutors based at these sites please. Have they been redeployed elsewhere? I know some are still at Cranwell but I assume some have been replaced? I’ve been to both in the past but not for ages. Thanks to anyone in the know.

[zz]

There are still some Tutors based at Cranwell but I didn’t bother driving to that side of the airfield as I only need one and that’s based at Glasgow!
Only Prefects based at Barkston Heath these days.

Think there are quite a few Tutors at Wittering now.

[keithh]

I knew the Wyton ones went to Wittering but I guess some of the Barkston ones went there too. Is there anywhere where you can find out which ones are based where?

[graham]

Give us the reggies Keith and I'll see what PlaneBase says