Mildenhall. Is it worth the trip?

[Gaz]

I have, POTENTIALLY, got a few days off in February and was thinking of trying somewhere new for spotting. Never been to Mildenhall, I know they've got some big stuff there. Anyone been? Is it worth the effort?

[Xplumberlives]

I have, POTENTIALLY, got a few days off in February and was thinking of trying somewhere new for spotting. Never been to Mildenhall, I know they've got some big stuff there. Anyone been? Is it worth the effort?

Yes it can be, but even better is LAKENHEATH just up the road, can you get away next week, maybe Wednesday or Thursday?

[Thumper]

Been to Mildenhall a few of times and always tied it in with Lakenheath. Security have been unpleasant at both Mildenhall and Lakenheath, well it's USAF so to be expected! Lakenheath does have a viewing area but whenever I have been it's been closed so not sure if that's a permanent thing.

Everytime I have gone there's been nothing happening

I have heard from a friend that lives in Cambridge that the Eagles at Lakenheath are quite active at the moment and at Mildenhall the KC-135's and C-17's are out n about in the afternoon.

[Jigsaw]

Agree with XP.
Mildenhall closed the viewing area years ago but it is possible to stand opposite the end of the runway. Lakenheath is much easier with the viewing enclosure and you can also stand at the end of the runway if you don't mind a little walk.

[Olicat]

Last time i went was probably before 2008.
Viewing and photo-ing at Mildenhall was difficult, but at Lakenheath it was great.
However that was then and this is now.

[Aceyone]

Yep agree with the above ,been to both loads of times and always found Lakenheath busier,never had any trouble with security either ( I think you must look sinister to the Yanks Thumps ) At Lakenheath as Jiggy said even if the viewing area is closed ( never seen it shut myself ) you can always stand near the conifers at the end of the runway and no-one can move you on from there ,might even join you

[Xplumberlives]

Could this become the FIRST ICONIC AIRCRAFT FORUM trip of 2011?

[Olicat]

Sound good XPl!
















providing it's in half term!

[Xplumberlives]

So I presume we have to plan a trip for the week 21st to the 25th of February as well as a jaunt out next week!

[Olicat]

What happens next week?

[XR219]

I gather that fences have been put up at Lakenheath in recent months which mean that many of the views along the road by the golf course have gone.

However, I was assured this didn't affect the viewing area, which is still open.

Personally I find that if I'm doing Mildenhall then I couple it with not just Lakenheath but Duxford as well ...

[Gaz]

Next week is a definite no for me. I'm hoping to have the 9th, 10th and 11th off.

[Xplumberlives]

What happens next week?

I might just nip along and have a look around!

[Hihonyr8811]

I was at Lakenheath in November and there was a burger van
But I'm still not buying the burgers


I've never een spotting at Mildehall before, we pass it on the way to Lakenheath and there's a srange fence thing that runs at car height along the peri fence so you can't see in, vey odd.

Never had a problem with the secrity at LH, although I am a very boring/lazy spotter and I prefer to sit in the car till something moves

[Cluny]

As stated in previous comments , Mildenhall can be dead [my previous 2 attempts to spot there ended with me heading to Lakenheath] and tricky to spot from .
Theres this place on the western end , never tried it myself so cant vouch personaly but ive heard its a good place
http://www.thenookcampsite.co.uk/

Ive never had any trouble with security at Lakenheath or Mildenhall [YT is another matter , had my 1 and only death threat on my only vid taken at Mildenhall ] even when dodging traffic in the approach lights

Give me a weeks notice and I may join you

[Thumper]

I really need to get a car, clearly a motorbike is not ideal for spotting!

[Olicat]

To be honest, Mildenhall isn't a good place to spend the day.
The fence prevents you from seeing the apron so if there's nothing flying you wont see much.
Also you cant see take offs (from what i remember) due to said fence.

About 2006 sort of time we went just to see a WB57 take off and i sat on top of the car, to catch the WB57 you would've needed at least an 800mm lens

[Gaz]

So then, IF I get the time off. Thursday the 10th of Feb. I'll probably do both heath and hall. Like I said, never been to either so some company or just some local knowledge would be appreciated

[Thumper]

Don't call the Lakenheath guards "Pike", they don't understand it or like it

Sorry I can't join you but hope you have a good trip with plenty of action.

[Xplumberlives]

So then, IF I get the time off. Thursday the 10th of Feb. I'll probably do both heath and hall. Like I said, never been to either so some company or just some local knowledge would be appreciated

Can you pick me up on the way across, I will sort out the catering arrangements?

[Cluny]

Il book the day off today

[XR219]

As stated in previous comments , Mildenhall can be dead [my previous 2 attempts to spot there ended with me heading to Lakenheath] and tricky to spot from .
Theres this place on the western end , never tried it myself so cant vouch personaly but ive heard its a good place
http://www.thenookcampsite.co.uk/

Ive never had any trouble with security at Lakenheath or Mildenhall [YT is another matter , had my 1 and only death threat on my only vid taken at Mildenhall ] even when dodging traffic in the approach lights

Give me a weeks notice and I may join you

The camp site you mention used to be called John's Field (until John passed away) and gives good views. It's also OK for photography but you have to bear in mind you can't avoid the wire fence. The other spot is from Folly Road on the SE side of the base but the views from there aren't so good.

If you check with somewhere like Fighter Control a few days before you can often get an idea about how much will be flying at Lakenheath but, as others have said, Mildenhall isn't busy nowadays.

As I suggested, Duxford might be an alternative and indeed Marham is in striking distance but the latter isn't always busy either.

[Gaz]

So then, IF I get the time off. Thursday the 10th of Feb. I'll probably do both heath and hall. Like I said, never been to either so some company or just some local knowledge would be appreciated

Can you pick me up on the way across, I will sort out the catering arrangements?

Yeah, no worries. I'll just go 47 rather than 14. Like I say though, I haven't got the time off yet. Shouldn't be a problem seeing that I'm a subcontractor and not an employee, but, if I'm needed...............



Fingers crossed!

[Olicat]

Wish i could join you, although half term might be busy for me.

[Xplumberlives]

Wish i could join you, although half term might be busy for me.

Lucky you!