Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
#1662936
Iceman wrote:Catalina runway to be replaced by the US military as a runway-building exercise. Wouldn't it be good if we could get our army to do likewise for a UK airport ? They did build Glenforsa back in the 60s after all.

Iceman 8)

1972 actually; I was training at Glasgow at the time.
Get on to the Royal Engineers at Minley Manor, Hampshire; a mate of mine was a TA Lt .Col and his unit did this sort of thing as an exercise every summer.
Make sure you get the right unit though; there are other units who specialise in blowing holes in runways then repairing them. :twisted:
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By PeteSpencer
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1662951
Catalina repair long overdue I'd say: When Keef and I flew in in 2004 it was breaking up bigtime and there were 'no-go' areas:

Pre takeoff briefing was essential as there is a significant hump and if you hit the hump on takeoff on the' wrong' side you were met with serious tarmac degradation.

They've just patched it as and when ever since.

Still worth chancing it , though : the buffalo burgers are/were stupendous.

Peter :roll:
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By flybymike
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1662968
chevvron wrote:
Iceman wrote:Catalina runway to be replaced by the US military as a runway-building exercise. Wouldn't it be good if we could get our army to do likewise for a UK airport ? They did build Glenforsa back in the 60s after all.

Iceman 8)

1972 actually; I was training at Glasgow at the time.


A brass plaque by Glenforsa Airfield gate reads:
‘Built by the Royal Engineers between May and August 1965
15 Field Park Squadron, 38 Engineer Regiment.’


http://www.mull-historical-society.co.u ... -airfield/
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#1662999
There is a process where a runway surface can be 'sealed' as a temporary solution rather than re-surfaced; it's called 'slurry sealing' and consists of a liquified bituminous layer put down on the existing surface but unlike granite chippings like they use on roads, there are no loose particles to chip away at your props or leading edges.
I don't know how much it costs compared to a full re-surface; it was used extensively at Farnborough in the MOD era 'cos MOD didn't want to spend money on upkeeping the airfield.
#1663001
ISTR 39 Sqn RE based at Waterbeach while I was at Cambridge ('60s); they are now at Kinloss, with presumably the same (Airfields) roles:

http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/r ... iment.html

They subsumed 51 Sqn RE (Airfields) who had taken over the roles of RAF Airfield Construction Branch:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airfield_ ... Branch_RAF </nerd>

When I was flying with a US Army FC at an Army Airfield within a 'Fort' (a huge area), '80s, there were actually 3 'airfields' within the Fort. One of the others was a permanent MV testing area (but mainly a dragstrip club :) ), and the other the base of an Army Engineers unit whose main function was practising building then destroying airfield surfaces within it.
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By flybymike
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1663031
pilotbarry wrote:The military used Oban for C-130 exercises one year fairly recently (15 years ago?) then resurfaced the runway.

I recall landing at Oban in 2003 when there was a C130 and a Chinook parked up at the side of the old runway, with scores of troops wondering about the place smoking, sitting at picnic tables, and flaked out in deck chairs.

Paul gave his customary warm welcome over the radio, then as I gingerly taxied in, he hesitatingly added;

“Er...Caution, lounging military personnel.....”
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#1663032
flybymike wrote:I recall landing at Oban in 2003 when there was a C130 and a Chinook parked up at the side of the old runway, with scores of troops wondering about the place smoking, sitting at picnic tables, and flaked out in deck chairs.

From your description it sounds as though they were indeed doing some serious wondering, any idea what they were wondering about? :D
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