Basing Decisions
I read in your May issue that the US has
approved the purchase by the UK of the
P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).
I, like most enthusiasts, welcomed the
announcement in the Strategic Defence and
Security Review that Britain was to buy an
MPA but was surprised they would be based
at RAF Lossiemouth rather than the nearby
RAF Kinloss. The latter had for many years
been the home of the RAF’s Nimrod MPA
eet. I gather the base had been extensively
upgraded in anticipation of receiving the new
version of the Nimrod, known as the MRA4,
which was cancelled, so it seems odd to
have spent all that money for the new typeand then not use the base when the P-8
arrives. I imagine there will have to be a lot
of expensive work done at Lossiemouth to
accommodate what is quite a large aircraft.
On a similar theme, I recently paid a
visit to Mildenhall and enjoyed seeing the
Ospreys of the USAF’s resident 352nd
Special Operations Wing. When thinking
of the P-8 basing decision my mind turned
to the announcement to close Mildenhall
and the plan to move the 352nd SOW to
Spangdahlem in Germany. I should know
better from seeing previous basing decisions,
but I had thought Mildenhall’s future was
assured as the USAF had fairly recentlyknocked down a big hangar and laid a new
ramp especially for the arrival of the Ospreys,
plus constructed an extension to a taxiway.
Government departments and air arms
plan years ahead for the make-up of their
militaries and yet time after time millions are
spent on bases that are then closed down.
We keep hearing how defence budgets
are tight and funds should be better spent
but such examples of wasted money have
been around for decades, and still it seems
governments aren’t able to plan ahead in a
coherent fashion.
Brian Davies,
Glasgow, ScotlandWelcome to the Aviation News incorporating
Classic Aircraft letters page. Letter of the
Month winner Ian Bisset, will receive three DVDs:
Pilot Diaries – F-105 Thunderchief, Magic of
Flight – Boeing 757-200 and Military Helicopters- Military Aircraft of the 20th Century.
LETTER
OF THE MONTHI must congratulate you on the excellent
article on Air Chathams’ DC-3 in the
April issue. I got home yesterday from a
trip to Auckland and an afternoon spent
spotting at the city’s airport where I’d had
the pleasure of watching Air Chathams
Convairs in action as well as the old Dak
sitting there. Another coincidence for
me with this issue is the excellent article
on the French Aéronavale Lancasters,as I remember seeing a pic of the one
here [WU-13, ex-NX665] arriving in its
white paint job, but didn’t know its history
until now. It is housed at the Museum of
Transport and Technology in Auckland
along with many other great ’planes and
is a fantastic tribute to Bomber Command.I remember as a 12-year-old seeing
the engines being run up on Saturday
mornings, great stuff!
It was also very apt for me to see the
Emirates Airbus A380 on the mag cover
as I’d just watched three taking off – now
that would’ve been uncanny if one was the
same registration.
Ian Bisset,
Hamilton, New ZealandSAR Tribute
I saw in your April issue the report of the
nal retirement of the Sea King from UK
military service. I felt I wanted to express my
admiration of this ne workhorse, but more
importantly of the RAF and Royal Navy crews
who have risked their lives undertaking the
search and rescue role for many decades.
Whenever I’ve seen TV footage of them at
work – facing challenging situations causedby difficult terrain in bad weather or plucking
some poor soul from a violent sea, I’ve felt
humbled by their commitment and bravery.
I think the service of all British SAR crews,
military and civilian, should be honoured
by a monument as a symbol of the nation’s
gratitude for the lives they have saved.
Allan Lloyd,
Manchester60 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft June 2016AIR MAIL
Write to Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft,
Key Publishing, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK
or e-mail [email protected], giving your full name and address.
The Editor reserves the right to edit all letters.One of Air Chathams’ three Convair 580s, ZK-
CIF, seen by Ian Bisset at Auckland Airport.
Ian BissetNew Zealand Refl ections
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