RAF Waddington Station (WTN/EGXW) is the hub and main operating base for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft and systems. Previously it used to be the home base of the Boeing E-3 Sentrys and later the Sentinel R1 which both are no longer in service with the RAF. Nowadays it is home to a fleet of aircraft composed of the Reaper MQ9A, Shadow R1 and the RC135W Rivet Joint. Since October 2022, it is also the home of the RAF’s Aeroboatic Team “The Red Arrows”.

In addition to the regular RAF operations, the station host twice every year in Spring and Autumn the “Cobra Warrior” exercise that host some of the following listed international Air Forces (Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Norway, Poland, etc.). The RAF and the USAF always use their respective AFB in the UK (usually Lakenheath and Coningsby).

Written by Dylan Tenreiro & Paul Denton. Last Update: August 2024

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
02/20	2.940 m (9,646 ft) – Concrete
Spotting Information
Ladder	A ladder could be needed especially for the ramp/taxi positions. Keep a fair distance with the fence to avoid attracting the attention of the police.
Car/Public Transport	Not available for most the spotting locations.
Drinks/Food	Available at spot 1.
Hotels	Plenty hotels can be found in Lincoln’s city.
Season	We recommand visiting the AFB during summer season to avoid the bad weather over winter time or to target the Warriors exercises.
Security	Behave correctly and your  stay will be successful.
Runway Usage
02/20	Depending on the weather/winds but most of the time rwy20 is in use.

	Spot #1 – Public Viewing Area – Morning
WHERE	The public viewing are of the airfield is located on the A15 on Sleaford Rd at a of RAF Waddington. It is just a big parking lot and the entrance gate is open from 9:30 to 15:00.
WHAT	Arrivals runway 20 (morning).
TIME	Summer: sunrise to 13:00. Winter: sunrise to 12:00.
MISC.	This spotting location offers toilets facilities and snacks/drinks as well as a free parking place.
FOCAL LENGTH	Mirage 2000 = 200mm & Phenom 100 = 220mm

EGXW-SPOT1

EGXW-SPOT1

	Spot #2 – Line up rwy20 – Morning
WHERE	The spotting location is located near the spot 1 public viewing area. We recommend to keep your car at spot 1 and walk towards the lines-up rwy20. ++We recommend that you check the map to clearly understand where you are allowed and not to stand++ You have two options to shoot, the first one is located near the jet blast warning (pict 1) you must not stand at the red/white fence this is prohibited, you could have issues with the local authorities. Refer to the map, the red line with a cross is this forbidden area, we have indicated with the spot 2 the exact place that you are allowed to stand. Should you encounter any issues, you can still walk to the other spot 2 location (pict 2). You have a clear view and a ladder is not needed.
WHAT	Lines-up rwy20 or face to face heavy departures rwy02 as well as landing on rwy02 vacating at the end of the runway.
TIME	Summer: sunrise to 10:00. Winter: backlight.
MISC.	Be careful with the road as you stand right next to it and behave properly while staying here to avoid any issues with the local authorities. We recommend to stand at this location only if there’s a traffic.
FOCAL LENGTH	RC135 = 18mm, FA18+Mirages 2000 = 100mm & Beechcraft 350 = 165mm

EGXW-SPOT2

EGXW-SPOT2

EGXW-SPOT2

EGXW-SPOT2

EGXW-SPOT2

	Spot #3 – North Field Rwy20 – Afternoon
WHERE	From the spot 1 or 2, continue walking next to the road and put yourself at the farmer field where it suits you the best for the arrivals. Parking is not allowed here!
WHAT	Arrivals runway 20 afternoon.
TIME	Summer: 14:30 until sunset. Winter: 15:00 until sunset.
MISC.	Bring with you what you need before coming at the spot. We recommend to walk from the spot 1 to avoid any issues with the local authorities.
FOCAL LENGTH	FA18 = 150mm & RC135 (3/4 front) + Beechcraft 350 = 200mm

EGXW-SPOT 3

EGXW-SPOT 3

EGXW-SPOT 3

	Spot #4 – Air Ambulance – Morning
WHERE	The spotting location is located before the viewing public area. You’ll have to stop the car next to the road and walk few hundred meters in the dirt path to shoot properly the helicopters.
WHAT	Air Ambulance helicopters in action or at the stand.
TIME	Summer: 08:00 until 14:00. Winter: sunrise until 14:00.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. This location is only useful to stop once the helicopter is feasible.
FOCAL LENGTH	AW169 = 170mm

EGXW-SPOT 4