End of an era....

[gordon-in-aberdeen]

Well today I witnessed an end of an era. For the last time I and many others did the annual pilgrimage to RAF Leuchars for the Battle of Britian at Home Day. They're not doing another one, that's the end. The squadrons are concentrating now on moving to Lossiemouth and the base is being wound down.

For 65 years they've had a battle of Britian at home day airshow there and Leuchars was the last base to still hold one too.

I'd just like to say thank you to all those that helped the day to happen both this year an all previous years. There has never been a bigger way in Scotland to celebrate the achievements of the RAF and all those who have, or still serve in her, or provide through the air show a way of promoting recruitment or supporting the RAF Benevolent Fund for those who ave left the service but still rely on it for support. Both organisations will sorely miss the show as much as the public will.

Yes there are other air shows in Scotland and other parts of the UK, but Leuchars was and always will be something to remember this side of the border. I'll post some pics tomorrow if I can.

to the guys and girls who took part today, best of luck wherever you end up

[Airspeed]

Hi Gordon
Never went there myself, but I feel your sadness. Always sad to see an old "friend" go.
Look forward to those pics!

[Vancouver]

I'll look forward to your pics. It reminds me of the cancellation of the annual Mildenhall show which I always thought superior to Cosford when I lived there. Only IMHO of course.

[NigelC]

Mildenhall and Cosford? No comparison! I went to the Mildenhall Air Fete for about 10 years or so, we used to make a weekend of it, getting there for the arrivals on the Friday, the show on the Saturday and Sunday and departures on the Monday and Tuesday (always on the bank holiday weekend at the end of May).

B-1, B-2, B-52, F-117, SR-71, U-2 .... too many to name.... have a look at this thread...

http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/v ... 18&t=48053

[Chris558]

Highly unlikely these days, but wonder if there's a chance that that airshow baton will be passed to Lossie, or another RAF base? I was in St Andrews in April, and from there you can see the Typhoons taking off/landing. I guess I caught that sight just in time!

When I used to go to Abingdon's BoB at home day, as well as Leuchars there were two others, but I don't know/can't remember where they were.

[511Flyer]

In 1953, over 1 million visitors attended BOB days at seventy, yes SEVENTY, RAF Stations. Reported in The Times.

Anybody care to name them?

D.

[Chris558]

In 1953, over 1 million visitors attended BOB days at seventy, yes SEVENTY, RAF Stations. Reported in The Times.

Anybody care to name them?

D.

Unbelievable. I have just remembered one of the last four was Finningley...only 67 to go!

[gordon-in-aberdeen]

Chris, Finningly was on other I knew, mostly because the always had theirs on the same day as Leuchars. When I used to go to the Leuchars show in the early 80s with the ATC, loads of the flying display aircraft would do two displays on the same day, starting in one base with a display, then hotfoot it to the other base to do a second display, often passing someone going the other way . Was a bit frustrating for the public sometimes, because now and then things got canceled because of weather en route, even though both venues were ok