Bye Bye Scampton?

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HeyfordDave111
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Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by HeyfordDave111 »

It's been reported that today the government will announce plans to sell RAF Scampton (source BBC news 08.38 this morning).
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harkins
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by harkins »

Sad news but, not exactly shocking if for no other reason that from all I've heard it's pretty decrepit.

Very difficult to guess where they could relocate RAFAT with no Scampton. I understood the Reds activities ruled out operating from a front line base and we're very close to having nothing but front line bases left. It does make you think that despite claims they're safe, the Reds must be under threat themselves. Whilst there's plenty of T1's to last a good while longer, we must surely be running low on the pool of pilots that can be spared for three year tours.

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by Brevet Cable »

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austinp
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by austinp »

Is this the real reason why Scampton Airshow was cancelled?

I mean, put on a new airshow and get everyone excited. Then announce the closure, and have hordes of angry people.

Just a guess...

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by austinp »

Confirmed to be sold. A sad day indeed.

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by NAM Updater »

Details now confirmed according to the BBC website https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-l ... e-44936234

Another sad day for aviation & the people affected.

Another thought - I wonder how they will handle the listed status aspects for some parts of the site?

(cross posted with austinp)
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MiG_Eater
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by MiG_Eater »

NAMUpdater raises an important question! This site is of huge national importance, historically speaking. Will it just be bulldozed over?

Of course the other big question is where on earth will the Red Arrows go? Back to Cranwell perhaps?

farnboroughrob
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by farnboroughrob »

Wouldn't it make sense to move them to Leeming and combine maintenance with 100sqn??

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by NAM Updater »

Here's the relevant Historic England weblink (big PDF file)

https://content.historicengland.org.uk/ ... ation.pdf/
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Paul_Reflex
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by Paul_Reflex »

Just to hopefully add a bit to the question of the listed buildings, best practice in sites like this is to encourage developers to retain the listed buildings on the site and give consideration to the setting around the historic parts of the site. It's not impossible that the listed buildings on the site could be made into dwellings while retaining as many of the original features as possible. Of course this is all negotiable in the planning process and it depends on viability concerns being balanced with the wishes of the local authority conservation officers. Let's hope that the developers see the benefit of retaining these buildings as adding to the profitability rather than as a burden.

BossMann
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by BossMann »

Could RAFCTE buy the airfield and set it up as a permanent airshow site? with museum open 24/7? a bit like IWM Duxford?

The airspace above could still be used by the Reds to practise as they did when RAF Scampton was mothballed in the past and the Reds moved to RAF Cranwell

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by austinp »

With Newark down the road, I can't see it operating as a museum. Unless Newark relocates....

Being probably the most historic RAF station, reference THAT raid, its got to be saved/preserved somehow.

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by BossMann »

Were there not plans in the past to turn it into some sort of national heritage tourist attraction?
Don't know what happened to these plans but it certainly would make sense for it

Plus would allow the RAFCTE to build a purpose - built airshow location, in case anything happens to RAF Fairford once the USAF RC135s move it

https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2014/02/new ... ge-centre/

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by NAM Updater »

First off - Newark won't be moving.

Secondly there was a feasibility study done via Lincs County Council (LCC) about using the Scampton site for aviation - those discussions are referenced in here http://lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=1891

Since then most of the LCC heritage services inc. the BBMF Visitor Centre @ Coningsby have been earmarked to move out of direct council control.

Addendum: Some of the supporting documents in the original LCC consultation had some interesting 'potential' occupants for parts of the Scampton site.
Last edited by NAM Updater on Tue 24 Jul 2018, 8:27 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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cg_341
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by cg_341 »

NAM Updater wrote:First off - Newark won't be moving.

Entirely fair :up:

However, could you imagine NAM, IBCC, Scampton Heritage Centre, and perhaps something like Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre all working together, in one location, to create a new - fairly massive - museum? It's what dreams are made of!

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by NAM Updater »

cg_341 wrote:However, could you imagine NAM, IBCC, Scampton Heritage Centre, and perhaps something like Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre all working together, in one location, to create a new - fairly massive - museum? It's what dreams are made of!

Dreams yes, reality, sadly not!
Last edited by NAM Updater on Tue 24 Jul 2018, 10:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
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austinp
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by austinp »

NAM Updater wrote:First off - Newark won't be moving.



Lol. I hear you, and am not surprised :-)

I really need to visit NAM, keep meaning to!

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by NAM Updater »

austinp #EveryNAMvisitCounts
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harkins
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by harkins »

I appreciate sentiment has nothing to do with it but, RAF100 celebrations conclude with the closure of arguably their most historic remaining base.

As I mentioned above, with a dwindling pool of pilots, an aging aircraft type, no obvious alternative home and the cost-cutters circling, it's not difficult to see the RAFAT being under increasing pressure to be axed. Just think how many pensions can be paid with that money.

I see Linton-on Ouse is confirmed to close too. Again, no surprise with the Tucanos being replaced by Texan's at Anglesey.

Looking at remaining bases, is Wittering an option for the Arrows? Only a handful of Tutors base there.

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by austinp »

NAM Updater wrote:austinp #EveryNAMvisitCounts


:up:

I'll give you a shout so you can get the red carpet out. Maybe first weekend in August...

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by NAM Updater »

I might be there on Saturday 4th August & might stand you a :cuppa:
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SilentFlight
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by SilentFlight »

harkins wrote:I appreciate sentiment has nothing to do with it but, RAF100 celebrations conclude with the closure of arguably their most historic remaining base.

As I mentioned above, with a dwindling pool of pilots, an aging aircraft type, no obvious alternative home and the cost-cutters circling, it's not difficult to see the RAFAT being under increasing pressure to be axed. Just think how many pensions can be paid with that money.

I see Linton-on Ouse is confirmed to close too. Again, no surprise with the Tucanos being replaced by Texan's at Anglesey.

Looking at remaining bases, is Wittering an option for the Arrows? Only a handful of Tutors base there.


Wittering has been mentioned with R313 type airspace being set up over Cottesmore. Or a move back to Cranwell as its somewhat quieter there now.

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iainpeden
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by iainpeden »

harkins wrote:Very difficult to guess where they could relocate RAFAT with no Scampton. I understood the Reds activities ruled out operating from a front line base and we're very close to having nothing but front line bases left. It does make you think that despite claims they're safe, the Reds must be under threat themselves. Whilst there's plenty of T1's to last a good while longer, we must surely be running low on the pool of pilots that can be spared for three year tours.


Talking to one of the Hawk crew at Fairford, the OSD for the Hawk T1 with 100 sqd is 2027 and for the Arrows, 2030. Given that they formed on the Hawk in 1980 (IIRC) it might be convenient to say 50 and out.
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Victor 23
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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by Victor 23 »

It will be a big shame, but no surprise really as this as being going on for the last 20 years or so. Will it close, will it stay open, and with the spending cuts etc. Maybe the Red Arrows could go to RAF Cottesmore?. Hopefully they could make a Aviation Heritage Centre at Scampton.

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Re: Bye Bye Scampton?

Post by NAM Updater »

There's already one there Victor 23 & currently hosting this exhibition! https://www.visitlincoln.com/whats-on/b ... i-airfield
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