Scampton Ops… Anyone know whats happening?

A few more taken this evening showing the demise of the Scampton Ops block. I think this time next week there will be nothing more than a scare on the ground.

Thanks Ted. Maybe it is the set dressers then, making the place more accurate for the film? 😉

Although I’m sure most of you know this, so my apologies, but I feel I should point out that the old ops block seen being demolished would never have been used during the Second World War; it was built in the late 1950s when Scampton was altered considerably to become a V-Bomber base. I know its still heritage and perhaps should not be treated in this way but the blooming place leaked when I was there and, unless buildings can find other uses (even religious buildings sometimes) they will invariably fade into ruin or be demolished. I guess no-one thought it was worth keeping the old ops block going and, more importantly, spending money on it.

“Saint Jude, Hope of the Hopeless, Pray for me…”

Although English Heritage have thrown money at creating detailed reports and on undertaking an extensive site survey, only the hangars at Scampton are listed, so cannot be demolished (until they have been delisted). The rest of the site can be cleared without too much bother or upset.

Until someone stands up and takes a stand (bangs the drum), this will continue and continue until nothing is left. Yes it’s great to explore these sites on a weekend, but what do you do when they’ve all gone?

The problem with banging the drum is that you line yourself up to be both ridiculed and marginalised. It’s not nice to have one’s emails ignored or telephone calls not returned. Luckily we have the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes, namely Saint Jude to fall back on:

“Saint Jude, Hope of the Hopeless, Pray for me…”

Not a religious type, but if all else fails…

You know, I was going to write another paragraph about the plight of RAF Scampton, once the home to so many fine men, women and famous squadrons, but why bother. Sorry! Personally I think Stonehenge is a waste of space. No one really knows why it was built; It’s derelict, and therefore the land on which it is built on can be classed as brownfield – ideal for redevelopment. I say knock it down!

Very sad, thanks for capturing the sad moments and posting VX.
Have you thought of posting your shots over at AIX?

It is indeed very sad. Seems a shame to just demolish it like that. I dont understand whats going on there at the moment… Buildings being knocked down, and hangars being refurbished (though that may only be external).

Forgive me, but I’m not familiar with AIX… can you point me in the right direction? FORGET THAT… GOOGLE HAS SHOWN ME THE WAY!

One thing that does seem strange is the time taken to demolish the place. I was thinking this today. Could it be that the parts being demolished are extensions on to the original building? Either way, it’s sad to see it go.

Very sad, thanks for capturing the sad moments and posting VX.
Have you thought of posting your shots over at AIX?

Isn’t the Dambusters remake meant to be filming there sometime soon? What a shame they’re demolishing original buildings before that happens. I thought fro the orignal post it would be the set dressers rather than demolition team in there.

VX927, thanks for posting the pictures even though they are somewhat painful to see – the ops block building was my workplace for over 2 years in the early 1990s when I was on the CFS Ground School staff. It leaked back then whenever it rained and there were problems with spalling concrete but its still a shame to see it go. I remember rehearsals for the Queen Mum’s visit to CFS one year which went well until the day of the event when the weather did its usual and poured it down – the old ops block leaked even more!

They’re probably reducing the station inventory as they’re liable for accounts charges on assets held. The old Combined Ops building at Wyton was demolished to reduce the charges under the same scheme.

Thats goodbye to about 90% of Scamptons accommodation then!

I took these today. Thought I’d best take them from outside the fence in case anyone got upset about me posting photos taken on the airfield.

They’re probably reducing the station inventory as they’re liable for accounts charges on assets held. The old Combined Ops building at Wyton was demolished to reduce the charges under the same scheme.

Scampton Ops Block, photo taken in 2008;
http://airfields.fotopic.net/p54033199.html

VX, I had a look over on AIX forum and there was no mention..I posted a message over there under the Scampton thread.