Binbrook

RAF Binbrook:

RAF Binbrook situated just north of Binbrook village on a hill had it's own climate differences to downtown Louth where I stayed for most of my 6 year tour of the station. In winter it could be ice free travelling to work, until arriving at the bottom of the hill climb, where ice, snow, rain and hail welcomed you.

In the summer time, it was a joy to travel to work, especially the picturesque scenery along the way. All in all a lovely unit to have served at and great memories of all the diverse activity encountered daily.

This Unit was the dream of most aircraft technicians, having 3 dedicated Lightning squadrons and all the backup facilities. Squadron life was what it was all about, a feeling of being in a great big family, sharing all the good times and bad. Rivalry between squadrons kept it interesting too. In later years after leaving Binbrook, the sense of belonging was not the same at all.

Would I do it all again, most certainly I would, the best years of my entire 22 RAF Career were spent at RAF Binbrook.

Resumé:

I was posted to RAF Binbrook in 1979 from RAF Laarbruch in Germany. My accommodation was at RAF Manby Married Quarters. I was posted on to 5 Squadron Lightnings as a Corporal Aircraft Electrician and worked mainly in 2nd line scheduled servicing with support to first line when required.

Promotion to Sgt came in 1982 and was posted about 200 yards to LTF (Lightning Training Flight)where I became the Electrical Trade Manager. An interesting and one of the most rewarding posts.

I remained at LTF till 1985 where I was posted to 30MU RAF Sealand as a line supervisor on a linear and rotary actuator repair facility, possibly the worst posting in my career to date. Did over 3 years at Sealand and then on to the worst posting that everyone that had worked on a Squadron dreaded, and a posting to RAF Swanton Morley for the rest of my time in the RAF.

All in all a varied career, most of which I enjoyed, especially the squadron annual detachments to Cyprus.

Links:

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RAF Binbrook

Gate Gaurdian

January 14th 2007

Took a nostalgic trip up to RAF Binbrook today, the weather was fresh, but there was sun in the sky and no rain. Thought I would take a look at the old place once more as it has been some time since I last visited. Chance to get some pictures while the going was good.

This is a trip I used to make, daily, back in the eighties, and I still managed to find my way up the hill and onto the unit. RAF Binbrook is now called Brookenby and the old RAF buildings are now mainly used as part of the Industrial Estate, with many units inhabited by various businesses. The Hangars are all in use by storage type businesses, and some of the smaller units are housed in what used to be Workshops and the likes.

My first impressions were not good, the gate guardian Lightning has gone now, and although the grounds have been kept in reasonable condition, it is a far cry from the days when Binbrook was operational. Of course this was a Sunday, and quiet to say the least. Took a drive round to get my bearings, and found that it was impossible to get access to the front of the 3 main hangars as they are all fenced off now. Took some shots of No1 Hangar (5 Squadron) through the 7 foot fencing, not a pretty sight, with all manner of junk and machinery lying about. The garages inside the wire, empty and neglected. Meanwhile the Lightning Association aircraft XR724 which a few years back, was housed inside the hangar, is now stuck outside in the elements on a bit of the remaining tarmac, near where the Air Traffic Tower used to be. Don’t know if there is access to view the Lightning close up now, but could not find a way in from where I was.

Walked along to the front of what was LTF’s Hangar, but again, just piles of machinery and no access to the front of any of the hangars now. Heard dogs barking when I drove up to the fence, guard dogs by the sound, so not any chance of good pictures at all. Drove down towards SHQ, and spotted some Nissen huts in use, but sadly the exteriors were in need of repainting, but got some pictures of them before stopping at SHQ and getting some good shots there, probably the best preserved building left on the unit.

The Sgt’s Mess was next, could not leave without a final visit to the place I used to frequent , this is as always just outside the main gates. Was surprised to see that the residents of Married Quarters (Brookenby) are putting the old building and Annexes to good use and the building was in reasonable shape, although the Christmas decorations that adorned the front of the Mess were still hanging there.

All in all a nice day for a visit, but left feeling that any memories of RAF Binbrook I had, were just that, memories of a Station that used to echo to numerous activities, squadron life, station duties and many happy times during my 6 years there. I don’t think I will be going back to the old RAF Binbrook in a hurry, now that I have seen for myself it’s demise. Although I used to be a member of the Lightning Association up until a few years back, only leaving because of the lack of activity and feedback on what was happening to XR724, whether there would be any further rallies and fast taxi runs in the future, and nothing in the way of updates for years now. Will XR724 go the way of many more of her contemporaries and end up as scrap? I sincerely hope not.

So far have resisted the urge to return to what is left of RAF Binbrook and know that I would see even more devastation than my last visit. The good news is that there are two well maintained Lightnings at Bruntingthorpe airfield and these machines are ground run regularly with the occasional reheat run to enjoy. The Lightning Preservation Group (LPG) who operate and own these Lightnings are currently near completion with the restoration and the building of the old RAF Wattisham "Q" sheds at Bruntingthorpe. For more information on open days where you can once again hear the roar of the Lightning Avon engines and watch the fast taxi of these post war war birds, follow the LPG link on the right. Experience it while you can.