RAF COTTESMORE CLOSURE

There has been a lot in the press recently about the closure of RAF Cottesmore, I’ve summarised the main points to date click here.

RAF Cottesmore Guide

Background

RAF Cottesmore is located in Rutland and is the home to four Harrier squadrons. Two squadrons are from the RAF; Number 1(F) Squadron and RAF Number 4(AC) Squadron and two squadrons from the Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA); 800 NAS and 801 NAS.Together with RAF Number 20(R) Squadron based at RAF Wittering they form Joint Force Harrier (JFH).

Since 2001 Joint Force Harrier have been at the forefront of Op HERRICK, the British contribution to the NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan, where they provided close air support (CAS) to NATO ground forces.

Both single seat and twin seat Harriers are operated from RAF Cottesmore. The majority of the single seat jets have been upgraded from GR7/A to GR9/A standard by the BAE in the JUMP program hanger. All of the Cottesmore based twin seat Harriers are now T12 standard.

The Layout

RAF Cottesmore Map

Point 1

Google link

GPS reference: 52.73737 -0.639964

Point 1 doubles as a photography point and also a place to park. It’s a crash gate so make sure you don’t block access to the gate. From this point you can photograph planes using both runway 22 and 04 with a 300 to 400mm lens on a 1.6 crop camera (Canon xxD series camera). At this point the planes will be airborne and will have the gear up. You will be limited to side on shots.

From this point you can see the paint shop and the engine tie down (both marked on the map). Be warned the noise of a Harrier performing an engine test is very loud and you’ll want a pair of ear plugs.

Engine tie down at RAF Cottesmore – © Gordon Jones

Take off from Runway 04 at RAF Cottesmore – © Gordon Jones

Point 2

Google Link

GPS Reference: 52.741095 -0.634841

Leaving from Point 1 head past the engine tie down and along with fence to get to Point 2. The fence at this point is low enough to shoot over without having to use a ladder. You will be directly alongside both the Northern taxi way and Runway 22 allowing for taxiing shots, take off shots and landing shots. For taxi shots 150mm on a 1.6x crop camera will provide a full frame shot, for take off and landing shots you will need 350mm to 400mm.

Taxi on the Northern taxiway from Point 2 at RAF Cottesmore – © Gordon Jones

Landing on Runway 22 from Point 2 at RAF Cottesmore – © Gordon Jones

Point 3

Google Link

GPS Reference:  52.743589 -0.633323

From Point 2 carry on along the fence, past the tree and along the hedge. You will be able to look down the Northern taxiway and shoot one of the classic RAF Cottesmore photos, head on photo of a Harrier taxiing. You won’t want to spend long here as this is the only shot you can get from here.

Taxi on the Northern taxiway from Point 3 at RAF Cottesmore – © Gordon Jones

Point 4

Google Link

GPS Reference: 52.743589 -0.633323

From Point 3 carry on along the fence until you reach the threshold of Runway 22. This is possibly the best point at RAF Cottesmore. You can shoot taxiing, take offs and touch downs. The only downside to this location is the sun. As the day goes on the sun moves around until you are shooting into it because of this the location is best visited in the morning and early afternoon. By late afternoon you will be limited to shooting approach shots.

For taxi shots you will need between 75 and 100mm on a 1.6x crop camera. For side on landing shots you will need 100mm. For approach shots anything up to 400mm will work.

Landing on Runway 22  from Point 4 at RAF Cottesmore – © Gordon Jones

Taxi on the Northern taxiway from Point 4 at RAF Cottesmore – © Gordon Jones

Point 5

Google Link

GPS Reference: 52.745603 -0.635335

Point 5 is the final point and is the opposite side of the threshold. For side on landing shots you will need 100mm. For approach shots anything up to 400mm will work.

Landing on Runway 22 from Point 5 at RAF Cottesmore – © Gordon Jones

Taxi on the Northern taxiway from Point 5 at RAF Cottesmore – © Gordon Jones

Items To Check Before A Visit

NOTAMS

The first thing to check are for any NOTAMS (Notice to Airmen) these are used to inform pilots of relvent information about an airfield. They are useful to a photographer as they will list when an airfield is shut or if an event is planned such as a flypast. These aren’t always posted for military airfields but RAF Cottesmore is better than most for publishing information. They tend to post airfield opening hours on a regular basis; whilst this doesn’t mean you will see flyign it does let you work out if the squadrons are night flying. If they are there is a very good chance you won’t see much flying until mid afternoon.

You can register on www.ais.org.uk to find NOTAMS, you will need to use RAF Cottesmore airfield code which is EGXJ.

Weather

As well as checking the usual weather forecast you should check the wind direction. As you can see from the map RAF Cottesmore has two runways 22 and 04. These numbers are a short version of the compass bearing of the runway with 0 degrees being North and 180 degrees being South. 22 is short for 220 degrees and 04 is 40 degrees. If the wind is blowing 220 degrees or South-West then Runway 22 will be in use as the aircraft will take off into the wind to aid lift.

The options for photography when 04 is in use are very limited with Point 1 being the only real place, because of this I would recommend you only visit when Runway 22 is in use.

Weather information for the airfield can be viewed here:
http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/observations/metar/decoded/EGXJ.TXT

For an advanced forecast look here:
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/03453.html