RAF Scampton Heritage Centre

[avro748]

Hello Folks

It had been back in the nineties the last time i visited Scampton and the early eighties last time i was on the base. I didnt quite know what the script was for a visit to the Heritage Centre, so i sent an e-mail to enquire. I received back an application for a visit, there is a requirement for security checks and these took about a week. I booked for Friday the 6th of March.

Ariving early i spent a few minutes at the viewing area at the NE end of the airfield and found a Phenom bashing the circuit.

ZM333


The convoy of cars was escorted from the Main Guard Room to the Heritage Hangar (Formerly the 617 Squadron Hangar), with parking adjacent to the taxyway and a view across to the Red Arrows apron. The tour was split into two groups of six, the tour itself took in various items such as Guy Gibsons Office, his dogs grave but the main interest for me was the contents of the hangar.

G-BFVH


9814


3789


XF995


XX266


XR571


These were the complete airframes in the hangar (Plus Sedbergh XN185) but there was also a selection of other bits and pieces: Plastic Red Hawk which you could sit in ...i didnt. The fin from 617 Squadron GR4 ZA412 in the Special markings from a few years back ...2013?. The nose from Vulcan XL445 which was a Blue Steel equipped Vulcan B2 previously based at Scampton, this will be painted anti flash white eventually. Plus an unidentified Vulcan nose D2 section (the pressurised bit) along with a Hawk cockpit (Black), Canberra T4 nose and Chipmunk cockpit. The Phantom, Sukhoi and Hunter are owned by Hawker Hunter Aviation and are stored in the Heritage hangar. I think the DH2 replica is based at Wickenby and was there for a recent exhibition.

The guides interupt the tour and take you outside if the Reds go out to practice, fortunately there was two 'interuptions' on the day of my visit.

XX188. Red 1 taxying in after a practice display.


The third time they have flown the full nine jets this year.


XX310. Taken from outside the base on completion of the days third practice display (i was only present for two of the displays).


XX219. Taken during the third practice of the day from outside the base.



I can highly recommend taking the tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour itself is FREE!, but you are encouraged to make a donation. The tours are only on weekdays. Sadly as of Monday 16th the tours are suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this action is primarily to protect the guides as they are in the vulnerable age group. 

Cheers

Shaun

[ian531]

Didn’t know about this tour, thanks for letting us know

And, thanks for posting the great pictures

Ian

[avro748]

Thanks Ian.

Shaun

[ilt]

Is the Works Services area still painted pink? People often think it's odd and in the case of the current paint it probably is...
Story goes that In WWII the buildings were painted a pinkish colour on most of the expansion era Works Services departments. In modern times that had all washed off but the area was going to be repainted. Painters just threw whatever was lying about into a large tub and mixed it...ended up somewhat similar to the original without the chaps even knowing about previous paint. Modern mixing part probably not true but kept us amused as it looked quite odd amongst the drab dark green of the others.

Oh, another question...is the crowbar on display?

Hawk, gnat and tail used to be outside on the grass so good to know they are afforded more protection now.

[avro748]

Hello ilt.

I didn't notice any pink buildings or a crowbar. The Gnat that used to be outside the Reds hangar (XR571) is the one now in the Heritage Hangar. There are two Hawks displayed externally on the base, one near the Main Gate and the other outside the Reds hangar. Think they were XX306 and XX253 respectively.

Cheers

Shaun

[ilt]

Another of the memorials at Scampton