1/72 Raf Lakenheath 1990 to 2021. USAF Units 48th Fighter Wing

Kits-World - 1/72 Raf Lakenheath- 1990 to 2021. (Main) USAF Units- 48th Fighter Wing (492nd, 493rd, 494th Fighter Squadrons, 495th Fighter Squadron- (due to reactivate in 2021)). 450mm(W) x 450mm(H) 17inches(W) x 17inches(H).

Located near the town of Lakenheath in Suffolk, United Kingdom, the base can date its roots back to the Great War when it was named Lakenheath Warren and used as a bombing range. It fell into disrepair after 1918, but was reactivated in 1940 as a decoy airfield for nearby Raf Mildenhall. Later in the war, it became fully operational as an Raf base when No. 149 Squadron was located there flying Short Stirlings (previously Vickers Wellingtons). Raf usage of the base ceased in 1944-45 when the Usaaf took over with a view to basing Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber there. Lakenheath was expanded after the war and the Raf briefly returned, before the base was taken over by the USAF. During the Cold War years, Strategic Air Command operated both the B-29 and B-50 Superfortress, and B-47 Stratojet from the base. Lakenheath was taken over by the 492nd, 493rd and 494th Fighter Squadrons of the 58th Tactical Fighter Wing in 1960, operating North American F-100 Super Sabres. During the first half of the 1970's, these were replaced by McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II. The Phantoms departed during the mid-1970's to be replaced by General Dynamics F-111F's of the 366th and 474th Tactical Fighter Wings, which then came under command of the 48th TFW. At this time a fourth squadron, the 495th Tfs was formed. The base was notably involved in Operation El Dorado Canyon during 1986 in response to the La Belle discotheque bombing. F-15E Strike Eagles arrived at the base during 1992 and both the 493rd and 495th Fighter Squadrons were deactivated leaving the 492nd and 494th to operate the F-15E. During 1994, the 493rd was reactivated to operate the F-15C. At present all three units are still F-15 operational, but the 495th Fs is to also due to be reactivated during the second half of 2021 as the USAF's first overseas-based F-35A unit.

Aircraft operated (as of 2021)-

McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle (492nd Fs 'Madhatters')
McDonnell Douglas F-15C/D Eagle (493rd Fs 'Grim Reapers')
McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle (494th Fs 'Panthers')
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II (495th Fs 'Valkyries')- due to be activated in late 2021
GPS- 52º24'00.87' N 0º33'25.49' E