Planespotters

One December, I spent part of the no-mans-land between Christmas and New Year at RAF Lakenheath, one of the United States Air Force's two UK airbases. The quiet contemplativeness of a hot Vimto on a bitterly cold morning was shattered by a puzzled American woman needing answers; she having dumped her car next to the A1065 as we had an hour or so earlier.

"What are you doing here?!" She said, as if it were her own land.
"We're here for the F-15s" I replied, gesticulating towards the vast airbase on the opposite side of the road.
"Do you live locally?"
"We're from Manchester."
"Manchester?! You must really love airplanes!"

We continued to talk about "the jets" before goodbyes were exchanged and she continued on her journey. Having been wished "good luck" and instructed to "have a nice day", I returned to staring into the steaming, purple abyss of my Vimto, realising that it was not the American woman, puzzled by my interest in aircraft that was odd, but I.

My chance encounter with the American woman prompted me to question what it is that makes people like me hang around airports and airfields in all weathers just to see aeroplanes. I'm also interested to discover how others have interpreted the hobby, from those who record the registrations of the aircraft that they have seen to those who collect memorabilia or even maintain aircraft in a ground running capacity.