Wittering Heritage Centre 23/11/22

[zz]

An excellent visit here this morning, saw the following logged.

Gate Guard
 
ZD469 BAe Harrier GR7A (59A)

Heritage Centre


162964 McDD Harrier AV-8B Nose
XV279 HS P.1127 (RAF) 
XV779 HS Harrier GR3
XW923 HS Harrier GR3 Nose
XZ146 HS Harrier T4 
ZD318 BAe Harrier GR7 

Outside 71(IR) Squadron 

ZJ810 Eurofighter Typhoon T3

On arrival we drove through the base to the Heritage Centre, which took us past the apron which had 11 Grob Tutors parked up.

G-BYUC
G-BYUM
G-BYUW
G-BYVG
G-BYVM
G-BYWE
G-BYWH
G-BYWO
G-BYXH yellow scheme 
G-BYXM
G-BYXZ


Plus possibly a different one inside the hangar as we departed (although could have been one of the above moved inside).

This was an excellent visit - lovely to see the Harriers and sit in the cockpits. There was also an excellent display and collection detailing Wittering’s long history.
This is an excellent collection and well worth a visit if you get the chance. Many thanks to our fantastic hosts (who I have just contacted to thank).
Also great to see everyone!

Look forward to everyone’s photos!

[billsamuels]

Hi Phil,

Brilliant day out mate, thanks for all the organisation and sincere apologies for us being late… I’d allowed 2.5hrs to get there but we hit so much traffic both on the M25 and A1(M) it was ridiculous and the weather conditions were just awful… 

Steve and Neil were two fantastic hosts and if I can find it I’ll certainly let them know.

Thanks again Phil.

Bill

[norwichmd11]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for organising the tour had a really good time it was very interesting too and Paul said thanks too.


All the Best
Kevin

[billsamuels]

Morning Guys,

Here are a few of my photos from our visit to Wittering. Apologies but only from my iPhone. First of all, I have to say that the two guys who escorted us around the base and Heritage Centre are two thoroughbreds, Steve and Neil. Both ex RAF (retired) both having served 37 years and 40 years respectively. Two characters who love their subject (Harriers) you will not find…

Apart from the aircraft on display they and their colleagues have put together not just a great collection of aircraft but also lots of exhibits surrounding the development of the Kestrel and Harrier but also a complete history of RAF Wittering going right back to its infancy. The following will, I hope, give you an overview of what’s there.




Tribute to the 50 POW’s executed by the Gestapo following the Great Escape.


First of three panels for the Fallen who were based at Wittering throughout its existence.









From these displays we then moved into the hangar which is shared with the RAF 3 Mobile Catering Squadron (3MCS) which deploys to all parts of the globe and wherever our military require it. As you can imagine Steve and Neil are extremely proud of what they have produced and quite rightly it’s an excellent and superb collection not only of Kestrel/Harrier’s but of all sorts of items… Hope the following gives you some idea…





































Then there are always certain people who gaff in and can’t stay away from the camera lens!!!

Jeff….


Kevin (norwichmd11)


USMC AV-8B 162964. There is, allegedly, a second AV-8B on base but neither Steve or Neil knew of it and had never heard of it… So that one remains a slight mystery.


Last item was the frame of ZJ810 Typhoon T3 which clearly won’t feel the wind under her wings again. It not part of the Heritage Centre but it’s remains are a short walk from the hangar… Sadly I’d already seen this back in July 2010.

One final shot, we shouldn’t forget the Gate Guardian…



So to conclude, a really great day out and special thanks to Phil (ZZ) for once again putting it all together for us.

Phil, I can’t wait for the next one.

Bill

[zz]

Nice set of shots Bill (and you’re very welcome!)
I’ve got just a few more to add when I get chance.
….. and I’m working on the next one….

[zz]

IMG_1271 by Z Z, on Flickr

ZD469 gate guard. Apparently had quite a hard life this one - a wire strike in Norway, falling off its jacks in the US, then suffered a rocket strike in Afghanistan. This and other incidents all led to it being nicknamed "Christine" after the cursed/evil car in the Stephen King novel. It also led to it being quite a low hours airframe and its last flight was inside a C-17.

IMG_1277 by Z Z, on Flickr

Rob in AV-8 162964

And proof of the identity... (Bu No 162964 can be read under Customer's Serial Number)

Untitled by Z Z, on Flickr

Bird strike on a Harrier cockpit... you can even see the imprint left by feathers...

Untitled by Z Z, on Flickr


IMG_1287 by Z Z, on Flickr

IMG_1282 by Z Z, on Flickr

3 Harriers and a few of our group

IMG_1279 by Z Z, on Flickr



IMG_1274 by Z Z, on Flickr

IMG_1272 by Z Z, on Flickr

[graham]

Great photos guys, thanks for posting them