RF Leuchars "At Home" Days - the Home team (Pic Heavy)

[buccs2b]

I was lucky enough to attend the Leuchars At Home Days from 1990 to 1995. Here are some shots of aircraft from the based units. NB the non 43 & 111 sqn F3s were based at Leuchars when the up to date modded aircraft were pooled for the Gulf in 1990. Hope these are of interest. Apologies for the size of the post

1.
IMG_0009 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

2.
IMG_0008 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

3.
IMG_0007 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

4.
IMG_0006 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

5.
Lightning XR713 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

6.
IMG_0004 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

7.
IMG_0003 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

8.
IMG_0002 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

9.
IMG_0001 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

10.
LeucharsZE832EB by Tony Adams, on Flickr

11.
LeucharsZE764HC by Tony Adams, on Flickr

12.
LeucharsZE733FH by Tony Adams, on Flickr

13.
LeucharsZE732CH by Tony Adams, on Flickr

14.
LeucharsZE731 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

15.
LeucharsZE730DF by Tony Adams, on Flickr

16.
LeucharsZE254BG by Tony Adams, on Flickr

17.
F3_ZE289_TA_1 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

18.
F3_ZE733_TA_2 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

19.
F3_ZH558_TA_1 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

20.
IMG_0006a by Tony Adams, on Flickr

[steved]

Great post. I never made it to Leuchars, show or otherwise, and no need to apologise for the quantity, the more the better for me.

I didn't realise so many squadrons flew the F.3.

[Tommy]

Awesome stuff!

[The Flying Barrel]

Great post, always sad to see the demise of any airframe but especially so the Mighty Tomb. Only went to Leuchars the once to see the Phinal Phlight of 'Black Mike'. Whatever happened to this airframe? Loved the atmos in Bonnie Scotland!

[buccs2b]

Thanks guys, glad you like them.

Steved - at its peak the F3 force consisted of 5, 11, 23, 25,29, 43 & 111 squadrons plus 229 OCU which became 56(R) squadron

If I get time I'll try to scan in some of the visiting aircraft to the shows, any takers?

[CJS]

How cool is that F-4 in number 6?!

[buccs2b]

CJS - that's the famous "Black Mike"

[Spiny Norman]

Happy days. Was always a good show. The F.3 was never wholly loved in a Lightning/Phantom way but it could on a decent show and those 5 Sqn early marking ones were in a particularly nice scheme.

I'm guessing you were part of the enthusiasts' package? Have some similar images.

[Big Eric]

If I get time I'll try to scan in some of the visiting aircraft to the shows, any takers?

Yes please.

[Unknown74]

A load of fantastic memories, the yearly September trips up from 1986 right up until the last show in 2013 will never forget any of the fantastic shows I've attended at Leuchars.

One small question, where was the Phantom in picture 2 parked?

[Red Dragon]

Nice set there Tony, roll on with the next batch

[buccs2b]

A load of fantastic memories, the yearly September trips up from 1986 right up until the last show in 2013 will never forget any of the fantastic shows I've attended at Leuchars.

One small question, where was the Phantom in picture 2 parked?

Charlie Oscar was parked on the pan opposite the old control tower, it was used for camera photos on the show day

[buccs2b]

Happy days. Was always a good show. The F.3 was never wholly loved in a Lightning/Phantom way but it could on a decent show and those 5 Sqn early marking ones were in a particularly nice scheme.

I'm guessing you were part of the enthusiasts' package? Have some similar images.

Yes, I was on the package, one of the best I've been on and set the trend for me until 1995. My only regret is going to the enclosure on the south side of the Eden estuary for the flying display

[Unknown74]

Ah bless, It's enough to bring a tear to a Scots Aviation Enthusiasts Glass Eye. Great Memories. Went to all Leuchars Shows held between 1986 & 2013.

[Spiny Norman]

Happy days. Was always a good show. The F.3 was never wholly loved in a Lightning/Phantom way but it could on a decent show and those 5 Sqn early marking ones were in a particularly nice scheme.

I'm guessing you were part of the enthusiasts' package? Have some similar images.

Yes, I was on the package, one of the best I've been on and set the trend for me until 1995. My only regret is going to the enclosure on the south side of the Eden estuary for the flying display

The early ones were superb, 2 1/2 days and great access provided. What other shows let you sit in the current front-line fighters? South side of the runway on arrivals day was sadly done away with under Elfin Safety (a bit did fall off that German Tornado right enough but still.

Flying displays at Leuchars were not ideal for good photography and I know some stood in the field but it wasn't always about the final pictures I felt. Southside of the river is a long way away!

[buccs2b]

The GAF Tonka incident was after my time. The south side enclosures for arrivals was fantastic, in any weather. It was always a shame to have to go back to the old Q Shed for lunch