How secure is the Canberra airframe at ATR Bassingbourn?
With the closure of ATR Bassingbourn for a major reconstruction programme lasting 2 years, the Canberra WJ821 will likely find itself in the middle of a very substantial construction site. Hopefully a safe haven will be found for it in one of the hangars during this time.
It does have me wondering why the Nimrod gate guard in Scotland was so unceremoniously scrapped when other aircraft have managed to survive for many years within Army establishments.
Also sited at Bassingbourn is the 91st Bomb Group Memorial, which stands just inside the main gate. It nestles in its own secluded grassed area surrounded by neatly maintained trees set back from the main camp road.
The proud history of the base and in particular the 91st is displayed on this sign.
Furthermore, tribute is paid to supporting Mustang pilots that flew in support of the heavy bombers. Apologies for poor quality of pic. All shots were taken on a Iphone, without walking over the grass.
The old airfield is put to good use by the Army Training Recruits 7 days a week, plus the Army cadets use the place at weekends. There are a lot of leisure users as weekends including a RC aero-modeller group, motorcycle training, and shooting clubs out on the ranges. Bassingbourn ski club make use of the once MOD owned artificial ski slope.
It is quite a busy place and a delight to see so much of the current facility put to such good use. One wonders how much, if any, of the runway and taxiways will survive the forthcoming construction; they will make a cheap and plentiful supply of hardcore.
By: B-17 Buff - 30th November 2011 at 16:25
Thanks for the extra information bomberboy…
The barracks closure has been something which has been known about for a little while to those whom it directly affects.
I know a little bit, but i’m not at liberty to say right now.
I don’t believe it will be all doom and gloom and hopefully the month of May will yield a bit more, to which as much support would be the order of the day, but there is much to do for those involved.
Fair enough, well I am sure you will agree that as much exposure as possible is the best way to rally support so the more information available the better as and when possible! I am sure there must be many more like me that are not ‘directly affected’ or involved (I live on the South Coast unfortunately) but feel strongely about Bassingbourn…;)
There has been something in front of the old control tower for quite some time, but the bit you have seen was indeed a more recent modern, elarged construction.
Yes, I first visited in 1996 at that time I believe nothing or very little was there…
There are some people working very hard to ensure this is what happens and even with a little luck, perhaps even a little ‘expansion re-vamp’, but they do need support and of course the dreaded wonga.
Thats great news… I for one, check the tower museum website regularly but unfortunately it is not often updated (I realise it is difficult).
Please keep the forum updated with as much information as possible – and any ways in which others can help!:)
By: Bomberboy - 30th November 2011 at 15:58
The barracks closure has been something which has been known about for a little while to those whom it directly affects.
I know a little bit, but i’m not at liberty to say right now.
I don’t believe it will be all doom and gloom and hopefully the month of May will yield a bit more, to which as much support would be the order of the day, but there is much to do for those involved.
I noted they built upon the hard stand directly in front of the old control tower in the last couple of years already…:(:
There has been something in front of the old control tower for quite some time, but the bit you have seen was indeed a more recent modern, elarged construction.
one would assume the control tower will be safe?
There are some people working very hard to ensure this is what happens and even with a little luck, perhaps even a little ‘expansion re-vamp’, but they do need support and of course the dreaded wonga.
By: B-17 Buff - 30th November 2011 at 15:31
With the closure of ATR Bassingbourn for a major reconstruction programme lasting 2 years.
The old airfield is put to good use by the Army Training Recruits 7 days a week, plus the Army cadets use the place at weekends. There are a lot of leisure users as weekends including a RC aero-modeller group, motorcycle training, and shooting clubs out on the ranges. Bassingbourn ski club make use of the once MOD owned artificial ski slope.
It is quite a busy place and a delight to see so much of the current facility put to such good use. One wonders how much, if any, of the runway and taxiways will survive the forthcoming construction; they will make a cheap and plentiful supply of hardcore.
Thanks for bringing this to light Merlin…
This is sad news for me as I have always felt it is one of the best preserved WW2 8th AF bases and one with a huge amount of history… a perfect candidate for preservation. 🙁 I have always felt one RAF and one 8th bomber base preserved to represent WW2 operations would make fantasic historical sites/ places of interest.
I noted they built upon the hard stand directly in front of the old control tower in the last couple of years already…:(
When is this due to start and indeed your questions are good ones… one would assume the control tower will be safe? How much is planned to be ‘reconstructed’?
Are there any petitions by the local clubs to save what is left for continued use??
Another piece of history to be lost in the name of ‘progress’…:mad:
By: darren - 29th November 2011 at 23:20
I used to go football training there in the winter months as a kid back in the 80s. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen the Canberra in daylight!
Sign In
November 29, 2011 at 4:11 pm