RAF Mildenhall

[phildagreek]

My eldest daughter & her boyfriend have moved to the Cambridge area, both are pretty keen plane spotting types having been ATC cadets and enjoyed that and been lucky enough to go to various airshows and RAF bases with the ATC. The house is about 20 - 30 minutes drive from both Lakenheath and Mildenhall and now that they are settled I was invited down to have a look at  the spotting opportunities.

We chose Mildenhall and I was a bit late getting there as my 3 hour drive turned into a 4 and a bit hour drive but we found ourselves at the western end of the runway in the Nook campsite as reccomended by various people. It was a cold day, quite overcast and got pretty dark by half past four and apart from two other lads we were the only ones there.

For a first visit it was a great success and really enjoyable and we learnt a few things, next time we ae going to try Lakenheath on a Thursday morning and then head over to Mildenhall for the afternoon.

Thanks to the Nook campsite for the location and the facilities!

A photo or two, some of these were taken at the extreme "long" end of the lens so are a little fuzzy.

 

Mildenhall 1 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Mildenhall 2 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Mildenhall 4 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Mildenhall 5 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Mildenhall 8 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Mildenhall 11 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Mildenhall 16 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Mildenhall 15 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

The Ospreys were particularly impressive, I've only seen them "up close" once before which was last year in New York when the Marines were practicing bringing the Presidet in for the UN.

 

MV22B Osprey by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

And then finally, as a bit of an experiment, a quick little Iphone video of the RAF C17 taking off.

 

C 17 at Mildenhall. by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking.

[Pete in Lincs]

Tell them to check out the Wellington pub in Feltwell. Up the road from Mildenhall near Thetford

Lots of Memorabilia. Nice pictures too. 

[janneman36]

I have some fond memories about that trailer along the fence... did cought a WC-135 this summer over there....

Simply love that place and i think it is a pitty that there is some water between us, otherwise i would have been there more often...

enjoy it ,...

 

cheers, Jan

[KAYELL]

Great photos

 

I remember a few years back I was travelling back home from a job in Norfolk(somewhere) came across a layby right next to the runway (maybe the same one in the images)

Saw (and heard ) a group of F16s(I think) taking off. An experience I will never forget .Pre iPhone days though!

 

Cheers

 

Keith

[Mikey-1980]

I love driving past Lakenheath each time I head to see family in Swafham.

 

Its a shame Mildenhall no longer hosts airshows now, fond memories of Airfete.

 

superb photo's as well

[phildagreek]

I had the chance these past few days to nip down to the eldest's home in Cambridge and managed to get along to both Lakenheath and Mildenhall on Thursday. I was stood in the wrong place for the F15s coming back (on the shadow side of the aircraft, which explains why I was Billy no mates and everyone else was further up the road) but I got into a good spot at Mildenhall in the campsite for the Ospreys and even the MOD police came for a watch.

 

F15E - 8 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

F15E - 7 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

F15E - 6 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

F15E - 5 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

F15E - 3 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Osprey - 5 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Osprey - 4 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Osprey - 3 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Osprey - 2 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Osprey - 1 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

And then a Herc (maybe a MC130 Combat Talon according to a very excited chap nearby) mooched around a bit.

 

MC130 - 2 by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

And at one point this was the weather situation

 

Weather by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

AX67 JUH by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good day out though, lots of noise!

 

[phildagreek]

I was down there last week, here are a few from my trip. Got lucky with Runway 11 being in use for the majority of my time.

 

Quid 68 (1) by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Strix 66 (1) by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Strix 68 (6) by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Reach 809 (2) by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Western Global 189 Heavy by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Blue 66 (3) by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

Quid 62(3) by phil da greek, on Flickr

 

RAF Mildenhall in the sun by phil da greek, on Flickr

[HOUSTON]

Super duper Photographs.

Thank you.

 

[Red Dot]

Quite a variety on your second trip. Very nice

 

You might get more views by posting these on the aviation photography section

 

Andy

[Dr. Quack]

I remember being at a Mildenhall show in the nineties......and the impressive noise made when a C5 burst a tyre.

 

Some great pics there.

Q