Re 10 & 25

Especially 10

I might have missed something – entirely possible – but I can’t find any answer to Francisco’s very relevant questions concerning finance. Everyone appears to be ‘shooting in the dark’ until we know, by way of an example, how much the MoD wants for the site.

The site has been sold by the MoD to a company called Bicester Heritage Ltd. http://www.bicesterheritage.com

No shooting in the dark here. The site HAS been sold, so no doubt the finance obtained by the MoD will come apparent in due course, or may even be mentioned by the company that won the bid, similar to the situation at the time of the sale of the Domestic Site.

Not one to let the truth spoil a good story then? Bicester was never a bomber station other than as a conversion unit to my knowledge. .

mike currill. Research is the KEY to historic aviation. To save you some time, if research is not your thing read the following:-

Question 1: How is RAF Bicester related to RAF Bomber Command?

RAF Bicester is mentioned by English Heritage as being the best preserved of the Bomber bases built in the Expansion Period of the 1920s. Bomber Command No 7 Operational Training Group was formed in July 1940, and the Group’s Headquarters located at RAF Bicester. 13 O.T.U (Operation Training Unit) was formed at RAF Bicester, to train crews for 2 Group and Middle East squadrons. Many aircrew trained at RAF Bicester in the early years, and served with heavy bomber squadrons in the latter part of the war. One notable Airman was Air Vice Marshal Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards, VC, KCMG, CB, DSO, OBE, DFC (1914–1982).

Question 2: Why an aerodrome in Oxfordshire for the Heritage/Education Centre, as during the War, Lincolnshire was home to the largest Bomber Command Group ?

RAF Bomber Command of the WWII period operated all over the World. The land that many aerodromes once occupied in the United Kingdom reverted back to agriculture, or were sold off to developers for housing or industrial uses. Many were altered to cater for the Cold War years, and some are still in use today. RAF Bicester remains in a visual time capsule since the 1920s, hence it is unique, and it just happens to be located in Oxfordshire!

Question 3: RAF Bicester is a grass aerodrome, Bomber Command stations only had concrete?

It was not really until the advent of the Heavy Bomber that concrete runways were used. Even the “Dambusters” of 617 Squadron, in 1943, operated from a concrete-free runway at RAF Scampton.

Avion Ancien. This is what you are looking for:

http://www.bicesterheritage.com

David Burke – Check our website and social media sites. Our Youtube Channel might assist.

http://www.youtube.com/bchjourneytogether

I rest my nagging! 😀

Happy Holidays Everyone:)

dant, if you don’t mind me saying, and with all due respect, you’re not quite up to speed with what has been going on 😉 Note the update made 30 March too, just for a matter of clarity too? 🙂

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-21970360

mmitch…good point, but in the middle of a “Business Park”? You can see why the “Not Good” creeps into our phraseology with this outcome.

Onwards and upwards…or whatever the case may be! Let’s see shall we? 🙂

Update for you all!

Hello everyone,

Please find an excerpt from our new press release. Thanks to everyone who is supporting our project.

SEVEN YEAR DREAM BECOMING A REALITY

A Bomber Command Heritage Living History Site, Education Centre, Museum, International Visitor Attraction and Memorial is planned to open at the former RAF Bicester.

Backing received to acquire former RAF Bicester aerodrome to create a world-class heritage centre and International visitor attraction.

It has been a long seven-year journey for Bomber Command Heritage (BCH) who has finally received the opportunity and backing to acquire the former RAF Bicester aerodrome in Oxfordshire, and restore this best surviving example of an RAF Bomber Station. This will create a unique Bomber Command Heritage site, Education Centre, Museum, and world-class International visitor attraction. The site has been finally put up for sale recently by the MoD, bids have been submitted, and now BCH along with other rival bidders, await the MoD’s decision.

Cherwell District and Oxford County Councils have stepped forward to ensure the project is delivered. Located in the heart of the Oxfordshire tourist trail, Bicester Town already has some 4.5m visitors coming to its “Bicester Retail Village.” However, BCH believes it can tap into an additional audience from all over the world and bring Bicester and the region the benefits of heritage tourism and employment opportunities by having a world-class visitor attraction on its doorstep. Sue Smith, Chief Executive of Cherwell and South Northants Councils said: “We have been working hard to transform Bicester for our residents. Together with the town redevelopment and planned housing growth, this proposal will not only preserve the heritage of the site and celebrate the lives of the fallen but also provide economic development benefits through providing jobs, engaging with local businesses and growing tourism.”

Martin Tugwell, Oxford Council’s Deputy Director for Growth and Infrastructure added: “The RAF Bicester site provides a huge opportunity as a cultural and geographical balance to Bicester (Retail) Village, which brings heritage, educational, tourism and leisure opportunities the town really needs. We support the BCH proposal and welcome the opportunity to ensure these outcomes are achieved.”

The BCH team also includes Liam O’Connor, award-winning architect of the National RAF Bomber Command Memorial recently opened by The Queen in Green Park, London which was organised by RAF veterans, and the professional fund-raising team responsible for raising finance for a major part of that project. The heritage centre at Bicester is very much a logical next stage to the Bomber Command Memorial as it will explain the importance of the Memorial and the wider subject in a factual, yet engaging way, in a historic setting. The Bomber Command Memorial has become the fourth most popular visitor attraction in London.

Local MP Sir Tony Baldry has also been very supportive in Parliament and said: “I very much hope that Bomber Command Heritage will have the opportunity of acquiring this site from the MoD so that it can become a living museum, enabling future generations to have the best possible understanding of the contribution made by the RAF and by Bomber Command to winning the Second World War.”

Squadron Leader Tony Iveson DFC, AE, Rtd., 10-years Chairman of the Bomber Command Association, is currently BCA Vice President and BCH advisor. Tony is supporting Bomber Command Heritage Centre at Bicester. Tony was an air ace and Spitfire pilot in the Battle of Britain before transferring to the special elite 617 squadron (Dambusters) and flew 27 operations including all three against the German battleship Tirpitz. Tony then flew as a Captain with BOAC before joining Granada TV and advising on the launch of Eurodisney and enjoying a long and successful career in advertising and public relations,

Chairman of BCH, Dean Overton concluded: “Everybody gets very excited when the see a Lancaster bomber, but few realise the story and sacrifice that it represents, and the relevance in the 21st Century. I have never felt as confident as now that we will achieve our goal of opening the world’s first museum and education centre, on a befitting scale, solely dedicated to all-aspects of the WWII story of Bomber Command and the civilian effort. Our bid is totally unique in that it satisfies the MoD in terms of returns for the taxpayer as well as providing a sustainable commercial / training environment for Cherwell – whilst delivering the ultimate Public benefit: open access for all. I guarantee there will not be a more attractive bid than ours on the table, and, despite those that said it can’t be done, our dream is now becoming a reality”

Hi AgCat,

As you know Windrushers Gliding Club, first operated at RAF Bicester back in the 1950’s, and later reformed when the RAF Soaring and Gliding Association moved on. FACT: BCH was conceived by aviation enthusiasts, and some even fly. We have stated publicly in radio broadcasts and at events we have attended that we want them to continue their fantastic gliding opportunies they offer to all, and let’s hope they do, and why shouldn’t we? 🙂 Aerodromes are to be used, and that means flying from them too! 🙂

Agcat. We’re bang on the numbers. Late? No worries there! We’ve been at
this for quite some time, hence our fantastic strategic partnership with Cherwell District Council.