Flightsim

This issue we are going to take a peek at some fine flightsim scenery done by Dave Fagan a flight simmer from England who Steve and I met on the internet. Also contributing to this work was Dave Hanstater who took care of the AFCAD files.

Since it’s “near and dear” to Steve and me, we’ll start with

RAF Upper Heyford (EGUA) home of Det#2, 40^th ARRWg

from the mid 60’s until the unit was de-activated.

Upper Heyford was first opened in 1917 for use by the RAF. Hardened runways were added during WW2 and later - in the 50s the airfield was taken on for use by USAFE. They continued to use it until the closure in 1993. For a detailed look at the airfield history go to

http://www.raf-upper-heyford.org/

Alert Pad with Crash Station and Tower

Front view of the alert shack.

(Dave was kind enough to add pictures of Steve and me)

View of hangers and alert area

Alert Shack and Hanger

(The person standing to the left of the hanger is none other than our own Bill Jaynes)

Finally we have a look through the CP seat

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Next in line is RAF Greehnam Common. (EGVI)

Greenham Common opened in 1942 for use by the USAAF and remained open until 1st June 1946 when it was declared surplus. After some years of inactivity the airfield was handed over to the USAFE in April 1951 and in the following 18 months a completely new airfield was built on the site. The old 3 runway layout was turned into a single 10000ft (Later 12000ft) E-W runway. Through the 50s and 60s the base was used by B-47s, KC-97s and occasional visits by B-52s before it closed in 1964. The base was active occasionally for exercises throughout the 70s and in 1980 was selected as a base for Cruise Missiles. This inevitably led to protests by various peace movements- notably the Women’s Peace Camp. These ladies spent several years camped outside the main gate protesting at the presence of the missiles.

When the "Cold War" ended the base was very soon surplus to requirements once again. This time was the last time. The empty airbase has been very rapidly removed. The runways have been torn up and the land returned to common.

Welcome to Greenham Common

Cockpit View

Approach to the Ramp

Overview of the Tower and Ramp

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RAF Bentwaters

RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge are so close to each other that you can easily see them both while flying.

Here you can see both bases

Landing near the Bentwaters Tower

Off to Woodbridge

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Finally we have RAF Woodbridge. (EGVG)

RAF Woodbridge opened on 15 November 1943 as an emergency diversion airfield. As such it had a 3000 yd. by 250 yd. runway divided into 3 lanes and was equipped with FIDO - the intention being that there would always be one lane clear for landing. In addition there were 500 yd. overshoot/undershoot areas. The idea was that having such airfields would allow badly damaged aircraft to land without blocking the runways at their home bases. In fact during the remainder of the war Woodbridge received over 4000 emergency landings.

Post war- the USAF took over the field in 1952 and remained there until the closure of the field in the 90s. In 1958 a new Runway was laid down the center of the old emergency strip.

Hangers and Runway

Fire Station

Another view of the field

Hangers

This F-4 in one of many “static” aircraft at the Base

Our hats are off to Dave F. and Dave H. for the wonderful presentation of these bases. For any of you flight simmers who would like these add-on sceneries, you may find them at

Dave Fagan's Web Site

Do a search there for “Dave Fagan” and it will bring you to all his fine work.

That’s all for now.

See you next time.

Paul

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