|
|
 |
The United
Kingdom trip 2010 |
 |
|
23-07-2010 Coningsby |
|
|
| |
|
 |
RAF Coningsby - in Lincolnshire in
Eastern England - is the home of the Eurofighter Typhoon in the
UK and, of course, of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Tornados and Harriers of 41 Squadron also frequent the main
apron as The Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit.
The Southern area Quick Reaction Alert force is also based at
Coningsby and is shared by 3 Squadron (Typhoon) and 11 Squadron
(Typhoon) on a rotational basis.
Aircraft from other nearby RAF stations make occasional
approaches or practice landings, e.g. Dominies & King Airs from
Cranwell and Harriers from Cottesmore. The occasional F-15 from
Lakenheath also make practise landings due to the fact that
Coningsby is the relive landing base. |
 |
RAF Coningsby is one of the UK's three air defence bases and
also the home of six fast jet units. Coningsby has seen a
diverse range of inmates over the last decades, which include;
the Phantom, Tornado (GR.4/F.3) ,Harrier, Jaguar and the
Typhoon, makes it the UK's own 'Fighter Town'.
Coningsby has become the home of the Eurofighter Typhoon since
the first aircraft arrived in the summer of 2005. The Typhoon is
the future aircraft for the RAF. Currently all the active
Typhoons Squadrons are based here. At the moment 6 Squadron is
preparing to move to Lechers to become part of the northern air
defence. |
|
At the moment the following units
are based at Coningsby: 3
Squadron, the first operational Typhoon Squadron.
6 Squadron, the third operational Typhoon Squadron.
11 Squadron, the second operational Typhoon Squadron.
17 Squadron, the Typhoon Operational Evaluation Unit (OEU).
29 Squadron, the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit (OCU).
41 Squadron, the Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation
Unit (FJ&W OEU) |
 |
|
17(R) Squadron was tasked to bring
the Typhoon into service and arrived at Coningsby on April 1,
2005. Later, on November 4, 2005, 29(R) Squadron stood up as the
Operational Conversion Unit to train Typhoon pilots. On March
31, 2006 the Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit (FJ&W
OEU) was renamed 41(R) Squadron. Also on March 31, 2006 3(F)
Squadron moved to Coningsby. 11 Squadron stood up at Coningsby
on 29 March 2007, dropping the (F) designation in recognition of
its new tasking as the Royal Air Force's lead Typhoon multi-role
squadron. 6 Squadron is the third operational front line
squadron equipped with the Typhoon and the first with Tranche 2
aircraft, initially scheduled to reform in 2008 at RAF Leuchars
in Fife. However this was delayed until 2010, with the squadron
reforming initially at RAF Coningsby. |
 |
|
|
|
3 Sqn |
6 Sqn |
11 Sqn |
17 Sqn |
29 Sqn |
41 Sqn |
RAF
Coningsby has been home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight since March 1976.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight have one of the two flying Lancaster bombers in the world ,
5 Spitfire, 2 Hurricane and a Dakota. The aircraft all regularly
display.
Coningsby is still very good for pictures as access is possible
al around the base. At some points a big ladder is needed,
but even without a ladder you can get good pictures
opportunities.
With the six Squadrons based there is always traffic around
except fore the Friday afternoon. |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
