Talavera la Real Air Base (Badajoz) Spain spotting

[A380_sully]

Evening folks,

Does anyone have any information on the daily activities out of Talavera la Real Air Base? Is it relatively active, or are there any certain times, for launches and recoveries etc?

I may have the opportunity to get over there next week, so any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

As with Monte Réal, Portugal, if I manage to get there and see anything, I will report back in due course.

Cheers,

Kelvin

[Custard Gannet]

Hi Kelvin
Like anywhere these days it is a lottery.
During a visit in late November launches started @ 08;55 and lasted 50-55mins ( 2x2 )

It is possible to read serials (with a good scope) from the Airport terminal area opposite of the ramp ( 6x more F-5)

There are some good places to park on either approach

In summary.. if nothing on the ramp by 10:00 probably best to go !!! .. unless they are on lates/nights that is !!

Let us know how you get on

CG

[A380_sully]

Hi Kelvin
Like anywhere these days it is a lottery.
During a visit in late November launches started @ 08;55 and lasted 50-55mins ( 2x2 )

It is possible to read serials (with a good scope) from the Airport terminal area opposite of the ramp ( 6x more F-5)

There are some good places to park on either approach

In summary.. if nothing on the ramp by 10:00 probably best to go !!! .. unless they are on lates/nights that is !!

Let us know how you get on

CG

Thanks for that.

I'm not a number cruncher so I'll have a look at the sock and pick the appropriate end for close ups and departure and recovery. If all else fails, I'll have a mooch down to Beja, Portugal as its only 2 hours away and my hotel is halfway between the two.

I most certainly will report back, unless I don't have any photos

Cheers, Kelvin

[mirage 69]

Don't know when you are returning....but from 5 till 17 march exercise Real Thaw on Beja!

http://www.emfa.pt/www/po/exercicios/exercicio-RT9

Grtz Rene

[Sullivan]

Post trip report as promised (I'll post the photos in the relevant section),

I thought I'd try my luck on a spare afternoon at Talavera La Real Air Base, home to the F5's of the 23rd wing of the Spanish Air force.

I first went to the airport side of the base to view the flight line (albeit very far away) but with 6 frames on the apron things looked promising. I opted for the south east corner of the runway 31 and spent around 1 hour there, watching 2 x F5's depart and recover after about 50 minutes. Heat haze is a real problem (to be expected in the middle of Spain I guess).

Then the Military Police turned up like a scene out of smokey and the bandits, demanded my details and moved me on. I was more than polite to them, explaining I had researched the locations, looked to see if there were any restrictions noted around the base (which there aren't), but they were bluntly rude and made a VERY big point of explaining I was not to stop again around the base.

A shame, but that's the risk we take. What was even more gutting was as I was 3 minutes away, a pair of Spanish Typhoons broke to land......... insert your expletives here!

Not to worry,

Cheers, Kelvin

[Le Addeur noir]

One thing that is fairly standard in Spain is you should be at least 250-300 meters away from the fence. Beyond that, in theory you should have no problem.

[Sullivan]

One for the future memory bank. Thanks

[Custard Gannet]

Hi Kelvin
Maybe I should of put in the 300 metre caveat !!

Yes the Spanish MP's are certainly dramatic, but at least you got something for your troubles & don't let it put you off returning ( regardless of their threats )

For the record ...
Talavera la Real 23/2/17
Weather : dull .. a la Iwakuni/Seosan/Warton
F-5's
Noted on the ramp 08:30 ( no codes due to steps)
AE.9-01
AE.9-05
AE.9-12
AE.9-14
AE.9-28
AE.9-29

Compound : Along main road
AE.9-025 / 23-15. ( 2 sections )
AR.9-069 / 23-32

Junkpile :
At least 3 Airframes seen certainly 2 x F-5.
Only thing read. ?.9-17 from a tail section type unconfirmed too much clutter

C'est tout
CG