1/144 Raf Scampton, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, 2000-2021

Kits-World - 1/144 Raf Scampton, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, 2000-2021- Main runway- blurred. 225mm(W) x 225mm(H) 9inches(W) x 9inches(H)

RAF Scampton's location can trace its ancestry back to the Great War when, named Home Defence Flight Station Brattleby, it served as a landing field for the Royal Flying Corps. From here operated No. 3 Squadron 'A' Flight equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b albeit briefly in the anti-Zeppelin role. This unit was followed by No. 60 (Reserve) Squadron flying Avro 504's and Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8's, and Nos. 11 and 81 Squadrons equipped with Sopwith Pups, Camels and Dolphins. These units amalgamated and the station was renamed Scampton in 1917. In 1918 it was officially designated as No. 34 Training Depot. Following the war, Scampton was closed and again became agricultural land and all aerodrome buildings and facilities were removed.

By the mid-1930's it was decided to re-establish the station under the Royal Air Force Expansion Scheme which saw the formation of a number of new Raf squadrons and airfields. Officially named as Raf Scampton, the base was opened on 27th August 1936 forming part of No. 3 Group.

In October 1936, the first units to arrive were No. 9 Squadron flying the Handley Page Heyford, and No. 214 Squadron equipped with the Vickers Virginia and Handley Page Harrow. No. 214 Squadron moved to Raf Feltwell in April 1937, whilst No. 9 Squadron left Scampton in March 1938. Now. 49 and 83 Squadrons moved to Scampton in March 1938 initially operating Hawker Hinds, but shortly re-equipping with the Handley Page Hampden.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Scampton became part of No. 5 Group, Raf Bomber Command. Both 49 and 83 Squadrons were in action shortly after the commencement of hostilities flying sweeps near to Wilhelmshaven, Germany and minelaying operations over the North Sea. March 1940 saw the arrival of No. 98 Squadron equipped with the Fairey Battle, but this unit moved to Raf Finningley shortly afterwards. In the same year, members of both 49 and 83 Squadron's were awarded Victoria Crosses.

In December 1941, No. 83 Squadron was equipped with the Avro Manchester and in 1942, No. 49 Squadron also converted to the type. However, due to unreliability and performance issues with the Manchester, these were quickly replaced in both squadrons by the infinitely more capable Avro Lancaster.

In August 1942 No. 83 Squadron moved to Raf Wyton and was attached to the Pathfinder Force. In replacement, No. 57 Squadron arrived at Scampton in September relocating from Raf Feltwell and re-equipping with Lancasters replacing their Vickers Wellingtons. No. 49 Squadron left Scampton for Raf Waddington in January 1943. Only No. 57 Squadron remained.

The famous and highly classified No. 617 Dambusters Squadron was formed at Scampton in March 1943 for participation in the upcoming Operation Chastise raids against the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe Dams in the Ruhr valley. Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, nineteen 617 Squadron Lancasters took off on the night of 16th-17th May 1943, each carrying a single Upkeep bouncing bomb. The Mohne and Eder dams were both breached, with the Sorpe receiving minor damage. Eight aircraft were lost along with fifty three crew killed and three captured. Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross, becoming Scamptons third recipient of the medal. 617 Squadron continued to operate from Scampton flying various covert missions against targets in Northern Italy, until the unit moved to Raf Coningsby in late August 1943, with No. 57 Squadron moving to Raf East Kirby at the same time. Scampton was closed to allow its runways to be reinforced and improved.

July 1944 saw the arrival of No. 1690 Bomber Defence Training Flight (BDTF) flying Supermarine Spitfires, Miles Martinet target tugs, and Hawker Hurricanes. 1690 Bdtf remained at Scampton until September when it was relocated to Raf Metheringham. Following the upgrade work, the station was reopened in October 1944. Scampton was transferred to No.1 Group, Raf Bomber Command. October 1944 also saw the arrival on No. 153 Squadron equipped with Lancasters. The unit disbanded at Scampton in September 1945. In December 1944, 1687 Bdtf relocated to the station until it moved to Raf Helmswell in April 1945. The same month saw the arrival of No. 625 Squadron also operating Lancasters until it was disbanded in October of that year.

Following the end of the war, Lancaster use continued from Scampton with No. 100 Squadron transferring to the station from Raf Elsham Wolds in December 1945. The unit then moved to Raf Lindholme in May 1946 bringing Lancaster operations at Scampton to a close. December 1945 also saw No. 57 returning to the base equipped with the new Avro Lincoln. In July 1948, the USAF's 28th Bombardment Group moved to the base with their Boeing B-29 Superfortresses, but the base was deemed unsuitable for the large bombers due to insufficient runway length and Scampton was transferred back to the Raf in January 1949.

The early 1950's were no less a busy time for Scampton with the base being home to four English Electric Canberra units, Nos. 10, 18, 21 and 27 Squadrons. By the mid-1950's Scampton had been chosen as a future V-Bomber base and once again extensive work was carried out to prepare Scampton for the arrival of the first Avro Vulcans. A new 9000 ft runway was laid and the base enlarged with storage provision for nuclear weapons. The first Vulcan unit to arrive at Scampton in May 1958 was No. 617 Squadron which was reformed. The same period also saw the arrival of the first operational British nuclear weapon, codenamed Blue Danube. This weapon was replaced by the smaller but much higher yield Yellow Sun. In preparation for the introduction of the new Blue Steel stand-off missile into Raf service, new maintenance, servicing and storage facilities were constructed at Scampton, along with a new control tower.

In 1960 No 83 Squadron arrived, and this unit along with Nos. 27 and 617 Squadrons formed what became known as the Scampton Wing. Blue Steel was finally retired in 1970 when it was decided that Britain's strategic nuclear deterrent be passed to the Royal Navy's Polaris system, and Scampton was transferred to the tactical nuclear and conventional bombing roles. No. 83 Squadron was disbanded in August 1969 and replaced by No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) which moved from Raf Finningley. In 1975, No. 35 Squadron relocated from Raf Akrotiri, joining Nos. 27 and 617 Squadrons, and 230 OCU, bringing the total Vulcan units based at Scampton to four.

The Raf retired its last Vulcans in the early 1980's, with No. 230 Ocu being disbanded in 1981 and 617 Squadron winding down operations on the aircraft in the same year, reforming in January 1983 at Raf Marham with Panavia Tornados. No. 27 Squadron replaced its Vulcans with the Tornado in 1983, whilst No. 35 Squadron was finally disbanded in March 1982. Control of Scampton was passed over to Raf Support Command and the headquarters of the Central Flying School (CFS) in 1983. One of the notable units to base there at this time was the Red Arrows, moving from Raf Kemble. In 1984, the Tornado Radar Repair Unit (TRRU) was relocated to the station.

The Cfs along with the Red Arrows, moved to Raf Cranwell in the mid-1990's and it was decided that Scampton was to close. This proposal was shelved due to overwhelming pressure from the local and wider British public, local press and MP's the base remained open as among other things, an overflow base for Raf Waddington.

In the early 2000's the Red Arrows moved back to Scampton due to lack of space at Cranwell and it was decided that they would be based there. In 2008 it was decided that the Red Arrows would again be moved, this time to Raf Waddington, but the plan was put on hold. In 2011, another review was carried out and it was felt that Scampton was still the most suitable location for the unit at that time.

In 2018 it was announced that Scampton was to be closed by 2022, and in May 2020 that the Red Arrows would relocate to Raf Waddington.

Main aircraft operated for the period (early 2000's-2021):

BAe Hawk T. Mk1. Shown are Hawks of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows in Diamond 9 formation with 'Smoke On'.
GPS- 53º18'11.04' N 0º32'54.39' W