What's the most recent RAF base?

[jack brew]

I was thinking that with today's budget, it will be a long time, if ever, that a new RAF base is built.

There are bases like Waddo that are older than the RAF - but does anyone know what is the "youngest"?

I bet it will be WW2 vintage, wherever she is

 

[Tashy_Man]

Thats gotta be one for MainJafad....the font of all knowledge aviation wise

Crack on...............DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[Downsizer]

Or google http://www.raf.mod.uk/no1group/groupstations/rafspadeadam.cfm

 

[Tashy_Man]

Or google http://www.raf.mod.uk/no1group/groupstations/rafspadeadam.cfm

Everyone loves a smartar$e....except you !!!

Crack on...............DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[jack brew]

Feck me, that didn't take long!

It the largest RAF Station in the UK and also the youngest of the RAF’s UK bases having opened in April 1976.

Largest station? I didn't know that, I would have guessed Brize was the biggest. Probably also the busiest (bet there's room for argument there!).

And MainJafad never got anywhere near this topic before it was answered

 

[True Blue Jack]

Feck me, that didn't take long!Largest station? I didn't know that, I would have guessed Brize was the biggest. Probably also the busiest (bet there's room for argument there!).

And MainJafad never got anywhere near this topic before it was answered

It depends on how you judge it, I suppose. Geographically, Spade is pretty big; some of our other ranges are larger but they are not "stations". I don't know how many personnel are at Spade but by that count it must be one of the smallest (possibly second only to Bentley Priory which is in its death throes).

 

[(JR)]

If you want info on nearly every RAF Station that has ever been formed and closed go to this site,
http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations_Index.htm

For those oldies out there we can get a bit nostalgic as it gives info on what units operated there and there is a link to see the satelite image of the area so you can scan for your block or where you once worked.

DT_Xtremez_26:

 

[Harry B'Stard]

Youngest Base

Youngest Base

Having seen the quote...

It the largest RAF Station in the UK and also the youngest of the RAF’s UK bases having opened in April 1976.


Although it is the youngest UK base... the youngest one I know of that has been built from scratch was...

RAF Mount PleasantDT_Xtremez_28:

Building started in late 1985 and it was ready for use in 1986! (Having a brain fart at the moment... seem to remember it being only 9 months from cutting the first bit of grass to the airfield being operational!)

Obviously there was still a bit of work to do when it opened but it is constantly having work done on it to 'improve' the conditions down there!DT_Xtremez_17:

HTB

 

[jack brew]

RAF Mount PleasantDT_Xtremez_28:

Building started in late 1985 and it was ready for use in 1986! (Having a brain fart at the moment... seem to remember it being only 9 months from cutting the first bit of grass to the airfield being operational!)

Obviously there was still a bit of work to do when it opened but it is constantly having work done on it to 'improve' the conditions down there!DT_Xtremez_17:

HTB

Such as replacing the portacabin-type buildings, built in the 80's with a ten year life span and still there today?!

Apparently the water system there leaks as much as it holds everyday! Anglian water would be proud!

 

[tommo9999]

Spadeadam is definitely the biggest by size - the Forestry Commission actually lease Kielder Forest from the MOD to grow trees on. I'm not a spotter, but did a year there in the late 80's.

 

[Harry B'Stard]

Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink!

Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink!

I know what you mean about the state of the place but the water system was something special!

I was there during their 'summer' last year. In the winter the water comes from a desalination plant so is quite fresh.

During the summer it comes from a borehole out in the sticks.

As the falklands are basically a large rock with a peatbog perched on top, the water comes out as a murky brown colour!::

It is the same sort of colour as French Onion Soup!DT_Xtremez_42:

Just what you need when you're trying to freshen up with a hangover!DT_Xtremez_15:

HTB

 

[jack brew]

It the largest RAF Station in the UK and also the youngest of the RAF’s UK bases having opened in April 1976.

http://www.bunkertours.co.uk/spadeadam.htm

The 9000-acre site now occupied by the Range used to be known as the Spadeadam Wastes, mostly remote and uninhabited, until 1957 when the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Test Centre was built. This was called the Blue Streak Project and was made up of a consortium of companies including De-Havilland, Rolls Royce and British Oxygen.

So is it 1957 or 76?

 

[Studley dangerfcuk]

Spade was officially opened as a Royal Air Force station in 1976.

Studley DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

Mainjafad saids RAF Ty-Croes - opened 1st July 91 - Closed 1st Dec 95

 

[MAINJAFAD]

Now I'm at home, I can put my two pennies worth in

For station still open in UK - Spadeadam 1976 (has accomadation, mess and gym and one of the cheapest bars on a UK base).

For station returned to the Service and still open - Kirton in Lindsey (though it was an pre WWII RAF unit before the Army had it). Not sure of the date, but its around 2004/05

Ty-Croes was an ex army missile range, just down the coast of Anglsey from RAF Valley, it was the home of an RAF Signals unit (144SU) with a Type 94 Radar from mid 91 to late 95. The unit was offically opened by AOC 11 Group in May 92.

Another piece of real estate that was returned to service after being disposed of and is still in use is the Trimingham site of Neatishead, which was RAF Trimingham from 1942 to 1963 used as an Oboe station from late 1942 onwards and as a CEW / Master Radar Station from 53 to its first closing. The site had been used as a civilians home, before the MoD bought it back.

 

[MAINJAFAD]

http://www.bunkertours.co.uk/spadeadam.htm


So is it 1957 or 76?

In 1957 its belonged to the Ministry of Supply/Rolls Royce, not the RAF.

 

[Rocket_Ronster]

If you want info on nearly every RAF Station that has ever been formed and closed go to this site,
http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations_Index.htm

For those oldies out there we can get a bit nostalgic as it gives info on what units operated there and there is a link to see the satelite image of the area so you can scan for your block or where you once worked.

DT_Xtremez_26:

Thats a quality link JR.
Had a look round BZN and highly disappointed that the grass has re-grown and obliterated all the messages from when the Skydrol "leaked" out of the bags.

 

[PingDit]

If you want info on nearly every RAF Station that has ever been formed and closed go to this site,
http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations_Index.htm

For those oldies out there we can get a bit nostalgic as it gives info on what units operated there and there is a link to see the satelite image of the area so you can scan for your block or where you once worked.

DT_Xtremez_26:

A bit? You're not kidding are you?
I've just spent half an hour looking at RAF Bawdsey, my first 'operational' station.
Bloody hell! That takes me back!DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[irishlogster]

It depends on how you judge it, I suppose. Geographically, Spade is pretty big; some of our other ranges are larger but they are not "stations". I don't know how many personnel are at Spade but by that count it must be one of the smallest (possibly second only to Bentley Priory which is in its death throes).

Just went past Bentley P which is just up the road from me. The gates were shut and the lights were out..... nobody home.... Sad sight.DT_Xtremez_21:

 

[unclenelli]

I suppose it all depends on your definition of "RAF Station"
If in includes a camp/tech site and a runway, then MPA, but Bastion is probably encroaching on that title - built from scratch in dusty desert summer 2006 as opposed to an inherited airfield (not that MPA was in inherited airfield, but others have been former UASF/RNAS/Civ airfields)

If "RAF Station" is defined and somewhere the RAF work, then even those tw@ts at Kentigern House would try an lay claim to a new station, but it is probably some office somewhere with an airship skiving and sending email's which make him look like he is working, in an outpost from a larger (but older) parent unit.