Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre

Hello all !.A while since i put finger to keyboard so i just thought i might tell you about a few “Aviation Related” issues that are in my head at the mo !.
Many of you will have heard of or indeed visited the Small museaum/visitors centre at South Rauceby (near RAF Cranwell, just off of the A17),called the Cranwell Aviation heritage centre. And (hopefully !) you will have enjoyed our small (but perfectly formed !)exhibition.
The centre is underpinned by the North kesteven District Council, but manned almost entirely by volunteers, the age groups of whom range from (Very !) late 30’s, to well over 80 years of age. Anyway, let me get to the point of this article….we need more volunteers !. When i first joined the group in 1998 there must have been around 12 members all willing to give their valuable time to help run and oversee the opening of the centre from May until Sept/Oct each year, but recently we have seen our numbers decline to now only around 6 or 7.
The centre has quite a lot to offer for the aviation enthusiast who comes to see us on either a pre planned or “on the hoof” visit.We have masses of information and photographs about the history of RAF Cranwell,a computerised Flight simulator, an EX Cranwell Poachers JP in the courtyard (XP556),which has had a “Virtual” Engine start installed this year !,we also have a Vampire cockpit,a Turbomeca Jet engine, we have a small cinema showing aviation related archive films, loads of scale models in a large display rack, and best of all a shop and tea and coffee facilities !
If anyone would like to give ANY help with any aspect of the centre, or would like to donate items for display PLEASE get in touch.
Just a few “this date in history” items now !…….
1) This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Peter Twiss’s record breaking flight in the Fairey Delta 2. He took of on the 10th March 1956 and set a new straight and level speed record of 1,132Mph……good man !
2)2006 also marks the 50th anniversary of the delivery of the first Vulcan bombers to RAF Waddington (OCU).
3)The Gloster Javelin entered service with 46 Sqn on February 24 1956.

P.S I am looking for photographs or even better movies of the Cranwell Poachers Aerobatic team…..anybody help ?.
Until next time….take care.Andy.
🙂