Future in balance as Arrows prepare to fly the nest
The Red Arrows move to RAF Waddington in 2011 has left the future of RAF Scampton in the balance.
Staff and residents on the base face years of uncertainty even though the Ministry of Defence has quashed fears that the base would close. A spokesman has said: "No decision has been made. The Red Arrows will continue to use the airspace above the base to practice their routines, so obviously they would need that area for emergency landings.
"A review, the Air Surveillance and Control System Basing Study, is ongoing and looking at the future of RAF Scampton, but there is no timetable as yet for that review to come back."
RAF Scampton is now the home of Control and Reporting Centre Scampton and the Mobile Met Unit. It has its place in history as the base from which the Dambusters raid was planned and executed. The original buildings - including the raid briefing room and 617's hangar still stand - and were used in the 1955 movie. Filming will also take place there for Peter Jackson's proposed remake.
There would be outrage if the base was to be dismantled and certainly protests that the famous buildings should be kept and part of the base turned into a large museum focusing on Bomber Command.
Add a Comment
Please be civil.