I am thinking about going up to Vance AFB before the Tinker AFB air show in early June. I have looked at the
spotting guide and the maps doesn't match the layout of the base currently. Does anyone have any updated info
on photography from outside the base? Also any updated info of Tinker and OKC?
Only spot 1 and 2 are affected by the main gate change. Main gate moved about a half a mile east and now has the gate guards (preserved aircraft) as well. Spot 2 might be possible still but further north so might still be good for T-6’s in the pattern.
I had a tour there about three years ago - October time. A few things to add that you might find helpful.
I had a few hours there the previous afternoon, it was pretty busy until after dark and flying had started again the next morning by 0800. There was a southerly wind, so they were landing/taking off from the north. At that time the western most of the runways was being worked upon, which meant the T1s and T38s were sort-of alternating
In the afternoon S Oakwood Road gives you good views across the thresholds and is good for photography, you can drive across the approaches on W Southgate Rd - it's a dirt road and I wouldn't recommend stopping there.
In the morning 47 East West Road gets you very close to the southernmost sun shelters and was good for take-off photos