Kennet Valley & Wyedean TR Group visit Lincolnshire airfields.
A group of Kennet Valley & Wyedean TR Group members took the opportunity to stay on in Lincolnshire and whilst there visited some historic aircraft and bases. The first exciting visit was to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage centre which claims to be The largest Bomber Command museum in the country, Members were able to relive A World War Two Bomber Airfield at East Kirkby, and experience the Sights And Sounds, Smells and Atmosphere of a bomber airfield.
This is the only place in the country to see a Lancaster Bomber on an original wartime airfield, and ride in it! (pre-booked only). Including, original Control Tower, welcoming NAAFI and an emotionally evocative Memorial Chapel containing the 848 names of personnel who gave their lives from this airfield. Members didn't take a ride but did get the opportunity to get great photos of their cars in front of this iconic bomber 'Just Jane'. Lancaster bombers were used in the Dambuster raids during World War 2 and that was the next visit but the group.
Having pre-booked, the group mustered at RAF Scampton, now famous for being the home base of the Red Arrows, but in former years was home to the 617 Squadron and where the raid led by Guy Gibson was launched with the often named bouncing bomb, which was in fact a skimming mine called 'Up Keep'.
After passing through security, we were treated to a tour of the Heritage centre which of course covers 617 Squadron, but also information on previous squadrons during World War One to the Cold War as Vulcan bombers were also based here with four of them ready to go within the dreaded 4 minute warning period of the nuclear threat.
Phil Horsley in Guy Gibsons office and at his desk, pipe in hand and a depiction of his dog under the desk.
A lone Red Arrow did buzz the base and come into land, which of course took everyones attention.
Scampton was established in 1916 during World War One. Originally known as Brattleby, the station was created as part of the nascent air defence of the country against the Zeppelin threat and simultaneously played host to an air training element.
Their new exhibition details a World War One airfield complete with aircraft and artefacts from that period. This complements the existing exhibits displayed in the Station heritage centre.
A super week at thes great venues, why don't you go along?