Bassingbourn museum visit

The museum is open today at 10am, just turn up at the main gate.

Rob

The Bassingbourn tower museum opens today for the new season. Visitors just need to turn up at the main security gate and one of the members will escort you through the camp.

Details can be found on the website.

Rob

Just a heads up that The Tower Museum is open this Sunday 8th September from 10am until 4pm (last entry 3pm ish). Its quite something to stand inside the control tower and look out to where Wellingtons, B-17’s, B-50’s and Canberras once stood and operated from.

Just turn up at the main gate and you’ll be escorted through the camp to the museum by one of the museum’s volunteers.

Rob

Interesting comparison shots of Canberra B.2 WJ641 of the resident 231 OCU taken infront of hangar 2 in 1968, and of the same view i took 45 years later.

Rob

Hi Terry, as I understand it they had several hundred people attend that concert. The issue was that although they were still making a profit – constantly rising costs in staging such a high quality event meant that the profit margin was getting less each year. Hence the sensible decision to quit whilst they were ahead.

Rob

They had a nice 1940,s Concert 2 years ago ,but very few people turned up for the Event at Bassingbourn ,i guess there won,t be another one on the cards as they must have made a loss ?

Just a heads up to say that the Tower Museum at Bassingbourn is open again tomorrow (bank holiday Monday) from 10am.

Rob

467 Sqdn RAAF. You were correct that there was an Auster in the hangar. In fact there have been two, one of which belonged to a former CO and later one which was owned by the airfield manager at Duxford (who was ex-army and presumably pulled strings to keep his there). I’m afraid my records don’t give any clue as to the identity of either.

Yes you’re quite right Dave, the majority of the crew were from New Zealand and this is included in the section caption with the nationalities of all involved. Also the chap showing us round was quick to point this out too whilst telling us of the tragic circumstances of the crash.

Rob

The section of Wellington on the wall was one of the things that intrigued me, as its the piece removed from the top of the tree at Wandlebury woods that it had crashed into fifty years previously. I had heard about it but it was the first time i’d actually seen it.

I believe that section is from the No. 75 (NZ) Squadron aircraft flown by Brian McNamara from here in Cambridge, New Zealand, which hit the tree and high ground on approach to Bassingbourn where he was to drop off a pilot and pick up another to return to Feltwell. Sadly all aboard except the Rear Gunner perished. It’s amazing to me that the section of Brian’s aircraft is preserved, a reminder of the sacrifices made by the young men from my home town. You can read Brian’s story on my website here:
http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Brian%20Mcnamara.htm

Spent 4 months at the ATR based there 12 years ago, a leg injury in training ended my budding army service though. I remember going into one of the hangers and seeing what looked like an Auster army co-op aircraft in there, wonder what happened to it? Never got to go into the tower museum which is a shame but spent plenty of time getting beasted around parts of the old airfield and in one of the hangers that had been converted into a gym!! Can also recall one day when the airfield was overflown by a pair of eagles at low (by American standards…… :highly_amused:) level, that was a lovely sight and sound!!

That explains why I couldn’t see the Canberra last time I flew over. The local paper (the Royston Crow) was reporting that up to 2000 Libyan troops are going to be trained there in the near future! As the base is supposed to be closed I wonder how that’s going to work?

All the “clubs” that were based on the airfield have now moved out. Apparently, even the golf course has shut!!.

OK, thanks Rob

Tour? I wish lol. No yesterday was just an open day although I believe airfield tours are organised from time to time by the museum.

Rob

I agree with that Wyvernfan. I was lucky enough to fly in there for an ATC Fly-In when the CO was aviation friendly. I think he had a Shadow microlight at the time. The thought of my Airtourer’s wheels on the same runway as Memphis Belle makes you think. Out of interest, with the base being closed and the golfers and skiers being chased off site, who organised your tour?

Sorry no idea ozplane. I was merely a day visitor yesterday. But I do know its a lovely museum and a very atmospheric airfield.

Rob

Sorry aeropark but I’ve no idea who it was

Rob

That explains why I couldn’t see the Canberra last time I flew over. The local paper (the Royston Crow) was reporting that up to 2000 Libyan troops are going to be trained there in the near future! As the base is supposed to be closed I wonder how that’s going to work?

Rob

Do you happen to know who the scrappie was ????

Yes sadly the Canberra is gone. I understand that there was an agreement with the museum for the scrappie to move the cockpit section to them as they really wanted to see it saved, but sadly for reasons entirely beyond the museums control it didn’t happen.

Rob