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October 26, 2023Coningsby Royal Air Force Base – Spotting Guide
- last modified on March 1, 2024
Royal Air Force Coningsby or more commonly RAF Coningsby (IATA: QCY, ICAO: EGXC) is a military airfield located in the eastern part of England. The airfield opened in 1937 and is operated by the RAF since that
Coningsby is beside RAF Lossiemouth the only Eurifighter operating base. It is home to three front-line units which operate the Typhoon, each of which contribute to the Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) Southcapability which provides protection to UK airspace 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Beside that the BAttle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) witht their historic planes is based here.
Based aircraft:
- No. 3 (Fighter) Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
- No. 11 (F) Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
- No. 12 Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
- No. 29 Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
- No. 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
- Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) – Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, Dakota and Chipmunk
The usual operating times are Mondays to Thursday all day and Friday mostly till lunch. Goes without saying, as well, the Air Force doesn’t do weekends (QRA). The BBMF is operating quite often during the weekends.
Written by Patrick Weis . Last change: February 2024 – Spot 6 added
Rating | |
Movements | |
Photo Locations | |
Weather | |
Airport Information | |
Runways | |
07/25 | 2,744 metres (9,003 ft) Asphalt and Concrete |
Spotting Information | |
Ladder | 2-4 steps are helpful for the spots to clear the fence at the most spots for runway movements. For arrivals not necessary. |
Car/Public Transport | Car is necessary here |
Drinks/Food | Bring what you need. |
Hotels | Some accomandations arround the base |
Season | Best weather is during the summer |
Security | No problems during our stay. |
Runway Usage | |
General Info | Used in both directions, depending on the wind. |
Spot #1 – Langrick Rd – 25 arrivals and line ups | |
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WHERE | This spot is just at the side at Langrick Rd. Just park your car befor the traffic lights. They turn red when there will be an approach. |
WHAT | All arrivals runway 25 and line ups (during winter only useable due to heat haze). For line ups 2 steps are helpful to clear the Fence. |
TIME | All day during winter. 08a.m.-4p.m. during summer |
MISC. | Nothing here. Bring everything you need and take your rubbish home. |
FOCAL LENGTH | for arrivals 200mm at the traffic lights. For Line ups up to 400mm. |
Spot #2 – Fence Corner – 25 Line up | |
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WHERE | This spot is just at the side at Langrick Rd. Just walk allong the fence until the corner. |
WHAT | Line ups runway 25/arrivals 25. Here you will need at least 4 steps to clear the fence . |
TIME | All day during winter. 08a.m.-4p.m. during summer |
MISC. | Nothing here. Bring everything you need and take your rubbish home. |
FOCAL LENGTH | For the southern taxiway about 70mm for the line up from the north arround 130mm |
Spot #3 – Reedham Ln – Taxiway | |
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WHERE | This spot is at the end of Reedham Ln. Just park at the side of the road without blocking it. |
WHAT | Taxiway to runway 25/taxiway after arrivals 07 on southern taxiway. For runway shots you need to walk a few meteres to the right as there is a fence at the crash gate. You will need at least 4 steps to clear the fence or shoot through the holes at the gate with a smaller lens. |
TIME | All day during winter. 08a.m.-4p.m. during summer |
MISC. | Nothing here. Bring everything you need and take your rubbish home. |
FOCAL LENGTH | about 80mm |
Sorry we can’t provide pictures from this spot. Pictures look like in the link.
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10902775
WHERE | No longer available as the land owner no longer tolerates plane spotters on his property. See picture below. |
WHAT | |
TIME | |
MISC. | |
FOCAL LENGTH | |
Spot #5 – Official Spotter Area – 07 taxiway | |
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WHERE | This spot is at the official Spotter parking at Coningsby Rd. Park on the official car park and walk to the opposite side. |
WHAT | Taxiway to runway 07 movements and 25 arrivals taxiing in if they take the last exit and aircrafts parking on the apron. Walk up and down the fence for your favourite position. |
TIME | From 4p.m. till sunset during the summer. |
MISC. | Nothing here. Bring everything you need and take your rubbish home. 2 Steps at least are helpful here. |
FOCAL LENGTH | about 140mm for the taxiway and more for the apron. |
Sorry we can’t provide pictures from this spot. Pictures look like in the links.
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10342162
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10920648
Spot #6 – Cross Keys Lane – 25 movements | |
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WHERE | The spot is at the end of Cross Keys Lane, next to a crash gate. Turn into Cross Keys Lane from Leagate Road which runs across the north east of the base, and drive all the way down to the end. There is only room for one or two cars (please avoid parking on the farmer’s land, there is a small gap next to the crash gate which can be used). We would advise walking down if possible due to the small area which may be blocked off if someone else is already there! Be aware, the walk from Leagate Road down to Cross Keys Lane is approximately a mile. A small stepladder is advised, but there is a small concrete block that can be stood on, with a clear view of the whole runway. |
WHAT | Activity from both runways can be seen, the takeoff/landings on runway 25 are preferred due to the altitude of the aircraft. Aircraft taking off from runway 07 will still be visible, but they might be too high for any “good” photos. If runway 25 is in use for takeoff/landings you will be able to get nice and close to them as they taxi towards the runway for takeoff. However, if runway 07 is in use, you will be able to see them on the same taxiway as they taxi back towards the ramp. Unfortunately, the ramp is too far away to see anything, and the view is partially blocked by buildings. |
TIME | This spot is best during the mid-summer evenings. Avoid in the winter due to the low sun being directly in front of you, making photos backlit. Heat haze was not an issue during visit in august. |
MISC. | Nothing nearby, it is just a small wooden fence and a crash gate. The nearest restrooms and food/drink are in Coningsby – there is a Coop quite close which is very useful. We have not heard of any issues with police or security, the main thing to be aware of is any farmers who may want you to not be there. |
FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm lens would be good for landing/takeoff shots. 50mm for any photos of typhoons taxiing past, if you want the whole plane in the photo. |
Cross Keys Ln is another great place for all shots, just need to be wary of the fields either side of it. Also, the mound has been completely closed off with a sign saying “No Public Viewing”.
Hi Ethan, can you provide some photos and the GPS for the Cross Keys Ln location via our form please https://www.spotterguide.net/guide-update/
-Julian
Hi Julian, just sent it through. Sorry about the wait, I didn’t see this.
The rating for the location is way too low. For a military airbase this should be 5 stars! there are not many airbases in Europe which are more accessible then Coningsby 😉