Scampton to close.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I did not think that my trip with Andy on his birthday last month was going to be this poignant.
I just saw this news flash on BBC TV.

The home of the Red Arrows air display team is to be sold off, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.

RAF Scampton, which was also home to 617 Squadron as they prepared for the Dambusters mission in World War Two, has housed the Red Arrows since 2000.
Six hundred people currently work at the site near Lincoln.
The MoD, which wants to save £3bn by 2040, is also closing RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire where 300 people work.
The government said RAF Scampton will close in 2022 with the Red Arrows relocating to a site "more fit for purpose".



for the full story see here.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...shire-44936234

Rob.

[flash]

heard that on the news today. My mate will be moving to Rhyll, he mentioned something about the Red Arrows relocating nearby - perhaps they'll be going to RAF Valley too ?

[David Manley]

Valley is likely - the infrastructure for Hawk is already there

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Valley was mooted as the new base on the News tonight. The move to go ahead in about two months.
Rob.

[Naharaht]

It is sad that such a historic base is to close. Perhaps someone might be able to open a museum there.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

The idea of a Museum has already been mentioned Dave. Funding for it has not!
Rob.

[Hedeby]

What a bunch of bastards !!! more of our heritage lost due to budgetary concerns !!!!

[David Manley]

Which base would you close instead?

[Hedeby]

Which base would you close instead?

That is a very good question - I would rather we weren't closing any at all, I would like to see more investment in our armed forces (especially the RAF) not less... alas I am not the one controlling the nation's purse strings... maybe I should run for parliament now I have some spare time

[Flying Helmut]

Great shame, but I suppose we can't continue to fund all that we do.

Joe Public refuses to stump up any extra cash, so something has to give.

I would prefer it not to be high profile historic airbases.

[flash]

It's sad but if it has to happen lets hope they do something quick with it rather than letting it fall into rack and ruin - My unit was disbanded in '99 - our barracks still stands unused today though I hear it will be/is being developed for Sussex Uni.
We were located at what remained of Preston Barracks (where Mannock was born) Our old building's in a sad state having looked at this today.
https://www.abandoned-derelict.co.uk...leon-brighton/
At least I have the Orderly Room door sign in my possession as a reminder

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Finally got around to posting the last pictures from Andy's birthday trip and thought that it was appropriate to post them here as a tribute to the Red Arrows. So here is the afternoon part of our visit.


























































































Rob.

[GreatOldOne]

Perhaps someone might be able to open a museum there.

There is already a museum to 617 there, including a reconstruction of Gibson's office and, of course, Nigger's grave.
I don't know if there's still access, but you could get in there easily, just by prior appointment.
What's going to happen to it now, though, I've no idea. Probably they'll just plough over the dog when they put a housing estate there.....

[BellMW54]

WOW! Great shots, Rob. Sorry to hear about the base closing, but that seems quite commonplace these days.

I remember seeing the Red Arrows many times while stationed (as an Air Force brat) at Chateouroux Air Station, France, back in the '60's. They seemed to be much more dare-devilish in their performances than our Thunderbirds or Blue Angels. I saw them more often when we moved to England at DeGaul's "request". My father was stationed at RAF Mildenhall while I went to High School at RAF Lakenheath (go Lancers!). The Red Arrows flew over both installations fairly regularly.

Just as the American acrobats have upgraded their planes, I see the same is true for the Red Arrows.

Thanks for sharing.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

You are welcome Mike and thank you for the rep.
Glad that it engendered some happy memories for you.
Rob.

[Stumptonian]

Just saw the photos you added in early August - fantastic shots.
REP on the way, sir.