The visit, on 14 October 2015, was principally to see the Museum of RAF Fire Fighting. The Scampton Heritage Centre was an interesting and enjoyable bonus.
The Gate Guardian
The Red Arrows have been residents since 1983
Alongside a genuine Hawk, was a plastic Hawk for ‘Pilot Posing’
Recovered from a Hampden crash site
Lancaster nose art
Blue Steel from the Vulcan Era
In the room which was the Officers’ Mess is a painting of a briefing of the Hampden crews of 83 Sqn
By May 1942, 83 Sqn were using Lancasters
In March 1943, 617 Sqn were formed
617’s Vulcans came back to Scampton in 1958
In the offices above the hangar are portraits of Scampton’s three VC holders, Flt Lt R A B ‘Babe’ Learoyd, Sgt John Hannah and Wg Cdr Guy Gibson VC, DSO and Bar, DFC and Bar.
The recommended dam sighting device.
Above is the knotted-string alternative. Choose the correct knot (two dams, two knots) hold against the forehead and line up the marks on the window with the towers.
An unconvincing Gibson re-enactor
WO Steve Shirley, a serving RAF Fire Officer who started and runs this museum
It all started with just one model
A Green Goddess – one of Steve’s 38 engines
This once travelled at 95 mph . . .
. . . steered from this central driving position
A water carrier – landed in France in 1944 on D+1
Grateful thanks for a warm welcome and a really interesting day