Interesting to note although no real secret Yorkshire Air Ambulance are relocating after looking like they have bought a new site away from RAF Topcliffe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6kje0nkjxo With Alanbrooke barracks set to close in 2031 it would leave only 645 VGS based at RAF Topcliffe, given its only 6 years away, it would be interesting too know what the future holds for a key VGS base and could funding grants or otherwise be found. One possible solution could be to sell the Alanbrook barracks estate to private housing and reinvesting the money into keeping VGS going. It would otherwise mean the only VGS for the North East is RAF Syerston.
1 Like
you’re about 5 years and 10 months premature on when RAFAC will start considering the future.
4 Likes
It’ll give them an option for a very nice purpose built facility to cater for all operational / trg / engineering needs & perhaps co-location of their associated charity - good for fundraising visits, etc.
Wiltshire Air Ambulance did this - a great building with some excellent features, including a very novel immersive trg room.
3 Likes
Maybe not the best thread, but it’ll do for the time being.
Had a nice in-person meeting with the Air League CEO, very nice lady; i"ll keep my powder dry for any cunning plans. 
I mentioned Vigilant motor gliders… These could be of great interest to the Air League for possible future aviation / engineering-based projects (but sadly, not to make them airworthy).
As far as I can establish, some were (are??) at ex-RAF Kemble (now Cotswold Airport) & “better” condition ones at South Wales Aviation Museum; I seem to remembers some discussions that the ones at Kemble would be scrapped if the “owner” didn’t shift them.
Has anyone please got accurate information about ownership / location of these airframes so I can follow up. I’ve emailed Cotswold & the museum, but maybe someone has got in-date details. Happy to take information here or via PM.
Ta!
firstly perhaps this thread is best to post in?
I thought there was a photo on their of the airframes in a scrap pile at Kemble…but alas no.
it is however in this thread (with follow up comments)
the photo shown was posted on Social Media in various locations in aviation related place too (I saw it in Pilot magazine for instance as well as in various FB groups)
1 Like
Ta - it’s a “sort of” different flying-related topic - although I now think that Air Salvage International at Cotswold Airport could be the people who have (had) them…
To be fair 645 did fly vigilant back in the day as I did my scholarship on them there
1 Like
I would speak to Tim Dewes
Airborne Composites.
What about moving the VGS to Leeming down the road.
Would it not be quicker by air?
I’ll see myself out 
2 Likes
Really positive comms just posted by RCN on VoV in relation to this
3 Likes
I guess it’s down to Leeming’s operational capacity although would be ideal. Especially as North Region are already there, Although Leeming already host 2 AEF’s (9 & 11) delivering for RAFAC and UAS (Yorkshire) along with Hawk T2 training for a joint Qatari and RAF. Air ops definitely quieter on a weekend (usual VGS Flying) they probably would be restricted as to the runways available. North side of Leeming could be the best bet with runway 21 or even 16 using less space and the approach wouldn’t be over the A1 (M)
Thanks - his are all earmarked to return to flying, as are all the airframes that Airmobility have (RAFAC’s loss, their gain).
None at South Wales Aviation Museum, or at Air Salvage.
What would work for the Air League - anyone who has (or knows of) any light aircraft airframes & / or engines that aren’t airworthy, but could be donated (or sold at a very cheap price) so that they could be tinkered with to give experience to those who might want to move into the aviation engineering world (where of course there is a significant shortage of engineers already).
There must be some more Vigilant airframes somewhere, but I can’t track them down as yet.