Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre

Key Facts

Located on the former RAF Woodhall Spa, wartime home of 617 ‘Dambusters’ and 627 Squadrons is this visitors centre. The history of the base and its units are portrayed by various displays and artefacts. Other displays show life in wartime Lincolnshire.

On the B1192 south-east of Woodhall Spa airfield on the opposite side of the road. Signposted. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open Sunday and Bank Holidays 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm, Easter to September; plus Wednesdays in July and August 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

By donation.

Amenities:

Toilets, Parking, Cafe, Souvenir shop, Access for the disabled.

** Not a replica!.

Thorpe Camp Preservation Group, Lancaster Farm, Tumby Woodside, Mareham-le-Fen, Boston, Lincs, PE22 7SP. Tel: 01526 342249, Fax: 01526 345249, e-mail: mjhodgson@lancfile.demon.co.uk, website: Thorpe Camp.

Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre

Key Facts

Housed in the former ration store of RAF Metheringham is an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia depicting life at an operational airfield in WW2. The base was home to 106 Sqn RAF, flying Lancaster bombers over occupied Europe. Nearby is a memorial to 106 Sqn. Many parts of the old runways and perimeter track still remain.

Westmoor Farm, two and a half miles from the village of Metheringham on the B1189, directly opposite the B1191 turning to Martin and Woodhall Spa. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open Wednesdays 11.00 noon to 4.00 pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 11.00 am to 5.00 pm, from Easter to last weekend in October.

Admission is free.

Amenities:

Parking, Souvenir Shop, Disabled Access.

Jet Provost T.4 XS186 (photo, Greg Wilson)

Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre, Westmoor Farm, Martin Moor, Metheringham, Lincs., LN4 3BQ. Tel/Fax: 01526 378604. Website: Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre

Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, Photographs

Hampden I AE436 fuselage. (photo, Dan Lord)	Hampden wing. (photo, Dan Lord)
Wing structure from a Wellington. (photo, Dan Lord)	Colditz glider reproduction. (photo, Dan Lord)
The ‘Just Jane’ nose art. (photo, Dan Lord)	Lancaster instrument panel. (photo, Dan Lord)
View from the bomb aimers position. (photo, Dan Lord)	The radio operator’s position. (photo, Dan Lord)
The Lancaster is towed out to turn-around. (photo, Dan Lord)	Tail-first tow back to prepare for the taxi run. (photo, Dan Lord)
Start of the taxi run. (photo, Dan Lord)	The engines are run-up to high power. (photo, Dan Lord)
Hand signals from the pilot. (photo, Dan Lord)	The Lancaster taxies back. (photo, Dan Lord)

Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre

The East Kirkby Control Tower.
(photo, Dan Lord)

Key Facts

The home of the UK’s only other taxyable Avro Lancaster, (apart from the BoBMF’s airworthy example). Moving under it’s own power, Lancaster taxi runs take place at regular intervals during the summer months. Some of these events take place in the evening, recreating the preparations for a wartime night bomber mission. The hangar for the Lancaster also features a display of RAF vehicles and aviation archeology. The fully restored control tower and adjacent buildings house extensive displays.

On the right hand side of the A155, west of Spilsby. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open Monday to Saturday 9.30 am to 5.00 pm, (last admission 4.00 pm), Easter to October; and Monday to Saturday 10.00 am to 4.30 pm, (last admission 3.00 pm), November to Easter. Not open Sundays.

See official website for details.

Amenities:

Toilets, Parking, Refreshments, Souvenir shop, Picnic Area.

Part of the control tower display. (photo, Dan Lord)	More of the control tower display. (photo, Dan Lord)

Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, The Airfield, East Kirkby, near Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 4DE. Tel: 01790 763207. e-mail: enquiries@lincsaviation.co.uk, Official Website

Remains of Spitfire V BL655. (photo, Dan Lord)	Merlin Engine. (photo, Dan Lord)
Canberra EE.15 WH957 nose. (photo, Dan Lord)	Proctor IV NP294 (photo, Dan Lord)
Lancaster VII NX611 nose (photo, Dan Lord)	The Lancaster parked in the sunshine. (photo, Dan Lord)

More photos on the next page…

Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre

Key Facts

Located close to the RAF College, Cranwell, the Heritage Centre acts as both a tourist information centre and a display area dedicated to the historic airfield. Two jet trainers are on display.

Signposted off the A17, to the south of RAF Cranwell, on the minor road to North and South Rauceby. North-east of Sleaford, Lincolnshire. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Daily 10.30 am to 4.30 pm, 1 April to 31 October.

Free.

Amenities:

Toilets, Parking, Souvenir shop, Access for the disabled.

Vampire T.11 XE946 (photo, Jeremy Briggs)	Jet Provost nose (photo, Jeremy Briggs)
Jet Provost T.4 XP556 (photo, Jeremy Briggs)	Rear view of Jet Provost (photo, Jeremy Briggs)

Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre, Heath Farm, North Rauceby, near Cranwell, Lincs, NG34 8QR. Tel: 01529 488940 during opening hours, or Sleaford Tourist Information Centre 01529 414294

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre

Key Facts

The home of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Visitor Centre includes an exhibition and guided tours of the Flight’s maintenance hangar which allow close access to the aircraft. As some aircraft may be away during the busy airshow season, it is advisable to check before visiting if you wish to see a specific aircraft.

RAF Coningsby, on the B1192 south of Horncastle, Lincolnshire. About half a mile from Coningsby village, 13 miles north-east of Sleaford on the A153. Visitor Centre well signposted with separate parking and access. See this location on Microsoft Live Search Maps

Open Monday to Friday except Bank Holidays 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, (last guided tour at 3.30 pm – or 3.00 pm November to February). Closed Bank Holidays and two weeks over Christmas.

See official site for details.

Amenities:

Toilets, Parking, Refreshments (March to November), Souvenir shop, Picnic Area, Access for the disabled.

Dakota III ZA947 (photo, Allan Barley)	Chipmunk T.10 WK518 (photo, Allan Barley)
Spitfire PR.XIX PS915 (photo, Allan Barley)	Spitfire IX MK356 (photo, Allan Barley)

Spitfire XVI TB382 has been reduced to spares and struck off charge.

BBMF Visits, RAF Coningsby, Lincoln, Lincs, LN4 4SY. Tel: 01526 344041, Fax: 01526 342330, e-mail: bbmf@lincolnshire.gov.uk, website: BBMF

General view of the Hangar (photo, Tim Clark)	Spare parts and tools (photo, Tim Clark)
Merlin engines (photo, Tim Clark)	Dakota ZA947 (photo, Tim Clark)