...the Facebook message contained an invite from my pal Graham. It looked innocent enough at first glance, apparently there was a strong rumour that no less than 6 Boeing C17 Globemasters were due to land at RAF Lakenheath the following Sunday. I jumped at the chance of a road trip to Suffolk and was ready with me flask of coffee, cheese and onion sandwiches and a fully charged battery in me DSLR.

I learned much that cold Sunday in September. What books to buy, how and what numbers to take, the best viewing places at Lakenheath and Mildenhall, what forums and websites would be useful and best of all...not to believe a pal who tells you that 6 C17's are gonna land at a remote base in Suffolk. Oh and met some friendly like-minded chaps as well.

We had one C17...at Mildenhall, not Lakenheath and it took off and didn't land but just when we thought the day was slipping away, we got a shout that a C5 Galaxy was on finals into Lakenheath. As luck would have it we'd travelled back to LN from Mildenhall and were in the viewing gallery. We galloped over to the forestry track and readied our cameras.

Sure enough over the trees he soared and...broke left, just like the eagles do. Wow! We all though he would simply land but we enjoyed seeing this huge airframe bank left and complete a faultless turn and then land.

Right, thats it we thought. But no, out came the cameras again and we were treated to 11 F15C's and one F15D landing right in front of us. Happy days!!

I'd bagged 16 serials in total for my first trip. Enjoyed every minute and was initiated into the Meercat Club. A happy bunny indeed...