Choppers being moved to Lyneham

[graham]

The December issue of LAAS Aviation News & Review reports that four Lynxes have been moved from Arborfield and Middle Wallop to Lyneham. The frames concerned are.....

XZ191
XZ617
XZ653
XZ679

I wonder how much more will be transferred to Lyneham? It's the closest military field to me, albeit it's no longer active and I drive past it 3-4 times a week. Loads of hangar space of course as at one time, all the RAFs 60-odd C-130K's were based here.

[Jeff]

I think the plan is or was to move all the RAF Navy and Army stored frames around the country to Lynham

[Deleted]

Following Current 

XW888 Gazelle AH.1
XZ170 Lynx AH.7
XZ187 Lynx AH.7
XZ188 Lynx AH.7
XZ191 Lynx AH.7
XZ322 Gazelle AH.1
XZ332 Gazelle AH.1
XZ333 Gazelle AH.1
XZ617 Lynx AH.7
XZ653 Lynx AH.7
XZ679 Lynx AH.7
ZA735 Gazelle AH.1

[graham]

I wonder whether all the stored Seakings at HMS Sultan will turn up?

[Jeff]

I think everything, tornados, hawks, helis etc.... Anything in store that is worth keeping in store will move to Lynham

[graham]

Thanks tarnish and Jeff, I might have a drive around the perimeter if the weather clears up a bit, and see if anything is visible or whether it's all been tucked away.

[zz]

Ah XZ653- one of my last Lynx that I need.

Think it was previously at Dishforth. So it's moved a lot closer, but probably still not possible to see it!

[chevvron]

Lyneham was an MU and therefore has several Lamella type storage hangars as well as the standard 4 'C'types.

[keefyboy]

Jeff

I think you will find that Shawbury will probably remain the main base for storing potentially active airframes - though I stand to be corrected on this. Given the MOD policy to offload airframes no longer in use or needed - because they have to pay the Treasury ROCE (Return on Capital Employed)- I suspect most unwanted airframes will be disposed of as quickly as possible. I doubt many will be left in store and certainly not transferred to Lyneham.

The original plan was to transfer training and associated assets from Cosford, SULTAN and Arborfield to the new joint services training school at Lyneham. It now appears that only the Army will use Lyneham - another MOD cock up! My guess is that whats at Cosford will stay at Cosford and whats at SULTAN will stay at SULTAN - for the time being at least - till MOD get their act together!

The plans for Lyneham that have been published locally in Wiltshire suggest there will be a museum close to the main gate which I believe may well have public access. My guess is that it's mainly for the benefit of the Army and assets previously at Arborfield.

Cheers

[graham]

Thanks for that Keefy, lets hope the museum comes to fruition then.

[chevvron]

Jan 3, 2016 18:12:02 GMT keefyboy said:

Jeff

I think you will find that Shawbury will probably remain the main base for storing potentially active airframes - though I stand to be corrected on this. Given the MOD policy to offload airframes no longer in use or needed - because they have to pay the Treasury ROCE (Return on Capital Employed)- I suspect most unwanted airframes will be disposed of as quickly as possible. I doubt many will be left in store and certainly not transferred to Lyneham.

They certainly got rid of all our Harriers to the USMC with great haste.

[Jeff]

Jan 3, 2016 18:12:02 GMT keefyboy said:

Jeff

I think you will find that Shawbury will probably remain the main base for storing potentially active airframes - though I stand to be corrected on this. Given the MOD policy to offload airframes no longer in use or needed - because they have to pay the Treasury ROCE (Return on Capital Employed)- I suspect most unwanted airframes will be disposed of as quickly as possible. I doubt many will be left in store and certainly not transferred to Lyneham.

The original plan was to transfer training and associated assets from Cosford, SULTAN and Arborfield to the new joint services training school at Lyneham. It now appears that only the Army will use Lyneham - another MOD cock up! My guess is that whats at Cosford will stay at Cosford and whats at SULTAN will stay at SULTAN - for the time being at least - till MOD get their act together!

The plans for Lyneham that have been published locally in Wiltshire suggest there will be a museum close to the main gate which I believe may well have public access. My guess is that it's mainly for the benefit of the Army and assets previously at Arborfield.

Cheers

Thanks Keefy, I must admit that I heard the rumour a couple of years back now, looks like the plans are quite fluid at the momnet....Time will tell and a museum at Lyneham seems like a good move for us lot :-)

[graham]

It would be great for me Jeff, Lyneham's about 10 miles from here via the back lanes.