Top gun heroes with a flamboyant past and an uncertain future allowed a Norwich-based journalist unprecedented access to their air base for a series of exclusive features.

Writer Mark Nicholls was invited to experience behind-the-scenes work at RAF Coltishall for the Eastern Daily Press.

His time at the base, which is home to the Jaguar fighter aircraft, culminated in a memorable 90-minute flight to the Scottish borders and back, sitting on the "loaded gun" of an ejector seat.

Taking a back seat

His articles told how pilots have patrolled the skies of Iraq, fought in the Balkans and been on standby during the Sierra Leone crisis since their tour of duty in the Gulf War ended.

But there is now a threat of closure hanging over the base - home to Hurricane, Hawker Hunter, Javelin, and Lightning aircraft over the years - as the new Eurofighter nears commission.

Mark said: "We have regular contact with RAF Coltishall - it's an active front-line base.

"Wherever there's trouble in the world, that's where the Jaguars go.

"The features came about after the commanding officer of the base gave a private lecture which our editor happened to be attending. They weren't written to build bridges or as a PR exercise but because it is an interesting place and there's a story to be told."

The paper carried seven major articles totalling between 15,000 and 20,000 words, researched over several weeks taking in several visits to the base, talking to officers, fliers and people on the ground.

Mark and his pilot Flight Lt Greg Perilleux

"They told me the only way to truly get a feel for the place and experience what it was like to be a pilot was to go up in one of the Jaguars.

"Enjoy isn't quite the word for the experience. It was great, exhilarating and eye-opening - all those things. But it was also totally exhausting."

But he also had to carry the obligatory sick bag, with speeds reaching up to 500mph prompting lurching G-forces and unusual sensations on his mind, body - and stomach - all playing havoc with his senses.

But he didn't have to use it. He said: "When I landed again the ground staff came up to me and asked if I'd been sick. They seemed a little disappointed when I told them 'no', because they all had been when they went up!"

Read about Mark's flight here, where there are also links to his other stories about life and work at the famous base, including one about a former Norwich schoolgirl who's aiming to win her wings as a fighter pilot.

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