Part 1 - Lincolnshire.

Lincolnshire is known as ‘Bomber Country’. Airfields once littered the county and many have now gone, turned to agriculture, housing developments or industrial sites. The names of those who served there linger in street names, Spitfire Way, Lancaster Ave etc. In some respects, it brings me closer to my father’s experiences as he was based here at the end of his service. He talks fondly of Lincoln and stations such as RAF Digby. His memory a little jaded now, hangs on to snippets of events in his life.

So my trip around the area included places both old and new and will be quite a trip down memory lane for some.

Driving north through the Lincolnshire fens, I head toward Coningsby, one of the few active fighter airfields left. A large open expanse with excellent viewing facilities around it (http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/spotting/coningsby.php) . It is nestled on the edge of the village where extensive RAF housing can be seen. The designated viewing area is at the end of the runway and offers a great opportunity for photos and plane spotting. There seems to be a hardened crew of enthusiast permanently perched here with enormous telephoto lenses. A short distance toward the village finds the BBMF museum with its well stocked shop, super little museum and of course tours through the hanger of the famous BBMF.

 

Taking yourself back, round the airfield, diverting to a closed crash gate, you can see an EE Lightning perched in one corner. Match this with the Phantom at the main gate and you have a good idea of previous residents of the airfield. Moving on to the other end of the runway, will place you nicely for photographing approaching aircraft as they come over the road, gear down and at a speed slow enough to get a half decent picture from - if you don’t have all the fancy equipment adoring the necks of the ladder clad (no offence) professionals that is.

VC10s flying over Coningsby during the tour of Britain day prior to retirement of the type.

On a good day, you may get to see the Typhoon display team or even visiting aircraft. Have a warm day, sandwiches and camera and set your self up for superb viewing and great day out.

Leaving Coningsby, head toward the old Woodall Spa airfield just up the road. The signs are all but gone. I found one showing RAF Woodall, pointing to a quarry. If there is anything there, I do not know, but the airfield to all intents and purpose is gone.  The Thorpe Camp museum (http://www.thorpecamp.org.uk/) has a EE Lightning sat outside along with the propeller from a crashed Lancaster as a memorial. Inside old huts are artefacts and stories of life in the area. When I arrived they were closed but it looked interesting and worth a visit. Driving past here toward Woodall Spa, you pass a Two-seat hunter on the right. Bought by a farmer for a restoration project, it seems to have been left and is deteriorating in the open. Many parts are missing and / or damaged. Research has shown that it is in fact made up of two Hunters joined together and not an original. This aside, it acts as a reminder of the areas aviation history.

 

As you enter the village of Woodall Spa, you are greeted by the ‘best towns’ award.  A beautiful little village with a crossroads at the heart. Adjacent to this is a small car park and the famous Dambusters memorial, depicting a breached dam. The names of the crew adorn the side, reminding us of those brave men who sacrificed themselves for this controversial raid. Whatever you think, it is a moving piece and you cannot but stand in silence contemplating it’s significance. For those requiring a small break, there is a cake shop in the village which I have been informed, sells the most amazing cakes. It also sells a range of aviation literature so you can browse and eat all in one place.

Further up the road away from the memorial, you pass a long leafy road with a sports centre on your left. On your right after the woods, is the sign for Petwood Hotel (http://www.petwood.co.uk). A formidable building, used by Guy Gibson and his crews as a mess hall whilst based at the nearby airfield. In the Squadron bar, I am told there are pictures and memorabilia of those times, which you can look at whist having your afternoon tea.

On leaving Woodall Spa, you are heading back toward Coningsby, turning east toward the old airfield of RAF East Kirkby.

The Lincoln countryside unfolds before you, and you can just imagine (in-between the sounds of jet engine) the Merlins, Pratt and Witney’s and so on, rumbling above you. Here is a relatively little known airfield, where a real story has unfolded. A taxiable Lancaster ‘Just Jane’sits proudly in it’s hanger, next to a Dakota.  Purchased by two brothers, ‘Just Jane’ regularly taxis carrying fare paying passengers around the airfield. The long term project is to return her to flight giving two airworthy Lancasters in this country – what a sight to be hold. Around the aircraft are the stark reminders of the darker side of aviation. Bits taken from crashed aircraft along with photos, personal artefacts recovered from the sites, and a range of military vehicles all add to the historical content of the trip.  

The museum (http://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/ ) is very well laid out. A good, clear guide tells you about the history of the site, the individual buildings (which are superbly renovated) and all the displays which are housed in huts. It even points out the bullet hole in the flag pole from the maurding German night fighter. Many of the displays were new to me and a very pleasant surprise to see, considering the nature of the trip. The watch tower, one of the best preserved in this country, has mannequins, sounds and artefacts set out as it would have been when waiting for ‘the boys’ to return from one of their war time sorties.

After sampling refreshments in the lovely little café, I headed back home, through Boston, leaving bomber country behind and some fantastic memories of a great day out.