Open Red Arrows heritage site on Scampton, urge campaigners

RESIDENTS have grouped together in an attempt to save the home of the Red Arrows and turn the base into a museum, after the Ministry of Defence announced plans to sell the site.

The “Save Scampton” campaign was initially launched two years ago when it was announced that the Royal Air

Force base might be sold off. But in May, the MOD confirmed that it would sell the Lincolnshire base in 2022, as part of cost-cutting measures to save £3billion over the next 20 years. The Red Arrows will be relocated to nearby RAF Waddington.

Despite losing that fight, the campaign has been reinvented. Adamant to preserve the base that was once home to Guy Gibson and the 617 Squadron, also known as the Dambusters, during the Second World War, the residents now wish to turn RAF Scampton into a heritage site.

Annette Edgar, 70, who is leading the campaign, which has garnered international support, said the options were either to “walk away” or “fight on to try to save this most valuable heritage asset”.

With the support of “half a dozen friends” Ms Edgar, who lives near the base, aims to establish a charitable trust to raise money “for the retention and preservation of Scampton”.

The plans would be to have a heritage centre and museum, a working runway, as well as a base for small private aircraft and executive jets.

There are also hopes of a control tower with a viewing platform for aviation fans and photographers, as well as the potential for air shows, open days and classic car storage.

“The possibilities to include and everything related to are endless,” Ms Edgar said.

“Support is growing non-stop,” she added.

“For those who have families involved in the 617 Squadron, to the Vulcan bombers flown from the base in the Cold War, these pilots fought for us and we have to do something to preserve that base, or our history will just become a couple of lines in a book.

“It is ambitious but it is not impossible.”

An MOD spokesman said it recognised RAF Scampton as “a site of historical significance” and added that it “will look at options to provide a sustainable solution for preserving the story”.