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RAF Coningsby,
From its creation shortly before World War II to today, RAF Coningsby has had a wide variety of roles. Originally built as a station for Bomber Command, Coningsby went on
to host the world-famous 'Dambusters' of 617 Squadron and Vulcan jet bombers before transferring to Fighter Command in the 1960s. After a period of uncertainty following the cancellation of the TSR2 project, the station became synonymous with
Phantoms and for 20 years was responsible for the training of all RAF Phantom pilots and navigators. When this much-loved aircraft was finally replaced by the Tornado F3.
The arrival of the first Tornado F2 aircraft in November 1984 heralded the next phase in Coningsby's long and varied history. No 229 Operational Conversion Unit was
re-formed on 1 November 1984 and quickly began providing crews for the front-line squadrons. The unit was renamed 56 (Reserve) Squadron in July 1992. During 1987, No 29(F) Squadron gradually phased out its Phantoms and became the first
squadron to re-equip with the Tornado F3.
RAF Coningsby, having started life as a wartime bomber airfield, has now evolved into the RAF’s foremost fighter base, responsible for the evolution of the Services air
defence tactics and doctrine. As part of Number 1 Group, RAF Coningsby is one of the three air defence fighter bases in the United Kingdom.
Coningsby was again chosen as the main training base with the Typhoon, the RAF's latest high-tech fighter.
This new phase in the Stations history was heralded with the relocation of 17(Reserve) Squadron, the Operational Evaluation Unit, to Coningsby on 1 April 2005, with the
tasking of bringing the Typhoon aircraft into service. On the 4 November 2005 29(Reserve) Squadron stood up as the Operational Conversion Unit, training pilots on the Typhoon.
On 31 March 2006, 3(Fighter) Squadron (Harrier) at RAF Cottesmore moved to Coningsby to operate as 3(Fighter) Squadron, the first Operational Typhoon Squadron. The formation of 3(F) Sqn marks the beginning
of the transition of the Royal Air Force to a more agile, capable, flexible and adaptable expeditionary force, better equipped to meet the demands that are likely to be placed on it in the future. On the same day the Fast Jet and Weapons
Operational Evaluation Unit acquired Squadron status when it was renamed as 41(Reserve) Squadron, after its disbandment on the Jaguar at RAF Coltishall.
The latest Coningsby acquisition is 6 Squadron who relocated from RAF Coltishall to RAF Coningsby on the 1 April 2006 to fly the remainder of the Jaguar fleet until its disbandment.
Flying here is almost always on weekdays only and
normally limited to between 9AM and 6PM, though occasional launches are made after that time. On a good day it can be wall to wall action, with never more than half an hour or so quiet. The good news is that the Typhoons and Jaguars rarely
simply arrive home, land, and shut down - they often make a pass to break into the circuit and then any combination of overshoots or rollers that they feel like before finally landing for good. As with many RAF types, multiple Typhoons and
Jaguars like arriving in close formation giving nice photo opportunities.
The airfield has a lot off different viewing point all around the field. Giving great opportunities for photographers. One point of advice is “bring a
big stepladder” because some of the fences are more than 2.5 meter high.
On booth day's we saw about twenty aircraft flying, as well in the morning as afternoon mission.
Aircraft from other nearby RAF stations make occasional approaches or practice landings, e.g. King Airs from Cranwell and Harriers from Cottesmore.
A poor time to visit Coningsby is a Friday afternoon, when flying is at a minimum as all the aircraft are being towed into a hangar for the weekend! |
