RAF Holbeach - 03/02/2009

When I dropped Sammy off at school I decided I'd go to Marham in the hope of some sunsets. The satellite picture suggested the area might be cloud-free till 1700ish, and it would always be touch and go as to whether it'd come off or not.

My plans, however, were scuppered somewhat when I arrived to find the circuit full of gliders and GA! There was no ATIS broadcast on the radio and the runway caravan was vacant. It wasn't looking good but I decided to hang on till 1200, just in case the Tornadoes were night flying and theairfield was effectively closed until then.

1200 came and went and I spoke to my mate Matty Jessop who suggested a visit to Holbeach. I'd not been there for a while and driving by Kings Lynn the haze that had lurked earlier that morning had lifted sufficiently to persuade me to give it a go.

I got there about 1300 and heard that three Harriers were due at 1330. I went for a wander and sure enough, right on cue, they appeared from the south-east at low-level.

They flew two different profiles and against two different targets, probably ten passes in total from each aircraft. If they'd been 15 minutes later the conditions would've been perfect, rather than flashing in and out of sun and spending the majority of the time in a grey on grey situation.

I must admit at this point I was rather enjoying myself! There was talk of possibly some Typhoons at some point prior to a pair of Lossiemouth Tornadoes at 1530, so I waited eagerly for them to appear.

With nothing having appeared by 1515 I was starting to lose confidence a tad, and that proved well founded as the Tornadoes still hadn't shown by the time I got back to my car at 1600. By now it was rather cold and the light was going fast.

Later that evening I discovered I must've missed the Tornadoes by a matter of minutes, Matty reporting hearing them on Marham approach.. Hey ho! I'll be back.