f-4 wrote:Valley is a non-starter IMHO as the personnel live in Lincolnshire and a move to somewhere reasonably commutable will be a factor, not to mention the clash with MFTS training requirements in Wales.
Is that really a factor in how the military work? I didn't think it used to be. I thought you were posted, end of story?
I can see that being based in Anglesey might make the Reds a less attractive option for future aircrew, groundcrew and their families.
The best place for the Reds is Scampton, which with some investment from a range of national bodies could become a world-class aviation heritage site.
Regarding Scampton, the biggest factor in keeping it operational as an airfield, I would have thought is the state of the runway and taxiways. Almost all of the western side of the airfield is unusable. The eastern side taxiways are not in great condition though they are still used. I can't comment on the runway, but I believe it needs some work as well. I am obviously in no expert, but I would think it safe to guess that this would be very time consuming and expensive.
Various parts of the station have had considerable sums of money spent on them, for example, all of the hangers bar one have been refurbished and had asbestos removed, equally other areas are essentially derelict.
I agree that the concept would be brilliant, but unfortunately, I can't see it happening in the current climate or any climate for that matter. Ironically the airshow itself forced the departure of the Museum of RAF Fire Fighting, a worthy part of such an idea. They had to leave to free up space for the airshow. A shame as they have an excellent collection of vehicles and other items.