New Bentwaters Cold War Museum Exhibit

Looks like a nice collection… How about adding an SU22 in there!!!

SU22 For Sale

An incredibly hard day’s work on the day for very little reward/profit for the organisers. It isn’t an ideal venue for a large airshow due to limited parking spaces for cars. We reached critical point at the 2010 show as we weren’t expecting that many visitors.

Graham

I wonder what happened to the Bentwaters Airshow ? They only had one show,think it was 3 years ago when James May was walking round there ,what a very very popular and great airshow ,one of the locals was heard to say ,this will be the only Air Show held here ,the locals are moaning about all the traffic noise and the people here ,but we were told it will be held every two years ,then guess what NOTHING , anyone know the real reason why they had no more shows,im sure they didnt lose money over staging the show ,seems like a few locals moaning spoil it for the many !! i would say its an ideal venue for an Airshow ,i went to the show,s years ago when the USAF were there ,great times !!

Graham -the policy towards loans is perplexing to most! The NMUSAF cannot effectively police what they have on loan in the U.K. That leaves groups like Lashenden with the F-100 in limbo and machines like the Mystere in Essex which is effectively abandoned . The control of these aircraft should be brought within the control of Lakenheath/Mildenhall so the aircraft can be properly monitored
and any difficulties sorted out quickly.
There are clear examples where museums would like to acquire former U.S machines and they have the ability to maintain them but are prevented from doing so -its time that it was addressed .

Bentwaters runway was tied up most of the summer last year for this film. No conspiracy theory neccessary. Cars and part mock ups only, no aeroplanes despite what you see in trailer 😉

I wonder what happened to the Bentwaters Airshow ? They only had one show,think it was 3 years ago when James May was walking round there ,what a very very popular and great airshow ,one of the locals was heard to say ,this will be the only Air Show held here ,the locals are moaning about all the traffic noise and the people here ,but we were told it will be held every two years ,then guess what NOTHING , anyone know the real reason why they had no more shows,im sure they didnt lose money over staging the show ,seems like a few locals moaning spoil it for the many !! i would say its an ideal venue for an Airshow ,i went to the show,s years ago when the USAF were there ,great times !!

Had a look at that site David, and I am bemused by the fact that they have an F-4C for sale…assuming it is for sale? It opens a whole can of worms as that should be a NMUSAF loan airframe?

I think it’s well known that the USAFM (as it was then) blocked our attempt to bring back an ex-81st TFW F-4C from Torrejon when the Spanish Air Force had approved it, citing that we weren’t eligible as we were a private organisation and not government-run. So, to see one in the hands of a private dealer is a bit of a kick in the teeth! 🙁
Regards.

Graham

Graham – it might be worth contacting PS Aero as they have had an F-84F for sale for a long time now !

Thanks David. Will do some investigating!

Graham

Graham – it might be worth contacting PS Aero as they have had an F-84F for sale for a long time now !

No, the NMUSAF. Barack O may be the next person to contact! 🙂

Not Barack O?

Believe me, the NMUSAF are fully aware of us at Bentwaters, especially over the past year or so. The current Director of the NMUSAF is an ex-81st TFW Hog driver!
We had a lot of help from the guys at Spang in trying to acquire one of the BDRT airframes for us. They were happy to help us. Guess who stopped it all though?!!!!

Graham

Not Barack O?

Graham – it might be worth contacting PS Aero as they have had an F-84F for sale for a long time now !

Believe me, the NMUSAF are fully aware of us at Bentwaters, especially over the past year or so. The current Director of the NMUSAF is an ex-81st TFW Hog driver!
We had a lot of help from the guys at Spang in trying to acquire one of the BDRT airframes for us. They were happy to help us. Guess who stopped it all though?!!!!

Graham

I wouldn’t hurt asking the NMUSAF and getting on a list.

Now the A-10s are being refurbished, but you nevr know when one in Germany might be declared surplus due to age, damage history or something else. At one time, there were two BDR A-10s at Spangdalham.

I’d bet a nice letter (stressing the Betwanters museum being a there to honor the long time USAF presence) to the authorities would not hurt, they could fly in the example and generally make it easy on everyone.

I wonder if any ex-81st TFW commanders are still around who would be willing to support the cause with the NMUSAF.
One, Col. Tad Oelstrom, retired as a major general…
or perhaps the current 81st wing commander (the “numberplate” is used for a major technical training center) could voice support?
http://www.keesler.af.mil/units/81trainingwing/index.asp

The Spangdalham BDR examples won’t have much call since they headed stateside.

I wouldn’t hurt asking the NMUSAF and getting on a list.

Now the A-10s are being refurbished, but you nevr know when one in Germany might be declared surplus due to age, damage history or something else. At one time, there were two BDR A-10s at Spangdalham.

I’d bet a nice letter (stressing the Betwanters museum being a there to honor the long time USAF presence) to the authorities would not hurt, they could fly in the example and generally make it easy on everyone.

I wonder if any ex-81st TFW commanders are still around who would be willing to support the cause with the NMUSAF.
One, Col. Tad Oelstrom, retired as a major general…
or perhaps the current 81st wing commander (the “numberplate” is used for a major technical training center) could voice support?
http://www.keesler.af.mil/units/81trainingwing/index.asp

Sounds like its time for a phone call to the RAFM !

More like the USAFM (-:

Curlyboy

Sounds like its time for a phone call to the RAFM !

Another one we’ve tried for! This was offered ‘free to a good home’ via the BAPC about two years back. Having expressed our interest nothing has been heard since. We’d certainly like it at Bentwaters!
Regards.

Graham

It would be good to see something like the Cosford F-84F sent to Bentwaters.
Its been stored now for close to thirty years with no apparant connection to the
RAF. As for other items a Voodoo would also fill a big gap in Bentwaters history.

Yes, it certainly would. Believe me we’ve tried. It will never happen though. 🙁
Regards.

Graham

The Alconbury A-10 would make a great addition to Bentwaters being entirely appropriate to the site.

Its also a great addition to Alconbury ;)……..dont forget Alconbury had A10’s for quite a while too.

regards Matt

True, but the 81st TFW at Bentwaters/Woodbridge was for many years the only USAFE unit with the type and the largest TFW in the entire USAF.
In 1988, the 81st sent two (the 509 and 5111th TFS) of its six squadrons to Alconbury when the 527th Aggressor Squadron moved from Alconbury to Bentwaters and reequipped with the F-16.
Bentwaters had A-10s from 1978 to its closure in 1993. Compared to that, Alconbury was a Johnny come lately.

The Alconbury A-10 would make a great addition to Bentwaters being entirely appropriate to the site.

Its also a great addition to Alconbury ;)……..dont forget Alconbury had A10’s for quite a while too.

regards Matt

The Alconbury A-10 would make a great addition to Bentwaters being entirely appropriate to the site.

Simple solution, just paint iron crosses and swastikas on the Duxford one, then sit back and wait for the current IWM hierarchy to fall over themselves to give it away. 🙂