RAF Sculthorpe. 'One Last Look.' May 2022.

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I was a USAF Dependant albeit from a very long time ago and I've always been fascinated with this former RAF/USAF Base which is situated in a beautiful part of Eastern England. Essentially, the 'Mission' of this Base was over as long ago as 1962 with the 'inactivation' of the 47th Bombardment Wing, the Base's' only permanently resident unit.
I recently made a return visit to RAF Sculthorpe. This presentation is essentially an update to my RU-vid video titled RAF Sculthorpe (2001 - 2005) and it certainly highlights the changes at this former RAF Station. That having been said, much remains the same since my last visit but sadly, there are noticeable signs of decay caused by vandalism but Mother Nature is reclaiming much of the site as well. It was good to see that a number of Businesses were operating from the site and with the creation of a Heritage Centre, the History and Memory of the Base will be preserved.
NOTE: The site is 'Private' and the Airfield is still retained by the MoD. The Buildings are in a poor state and contaminated with Asbestos. The intention of this video is not to promote the site but to act as a reminder for those that served at this former Air Force Installation and moreover to highlight the fact that there's very little to actually see there today..
Photo Credits: My photographs were taken over a period between 2001 - 2005 when the Base was relatively untouched by Urban Explorers. My access to the Base and in particular the Flight Line was authorised. I include recent photographs and Dashcam video footage (2022). Black and white images were taken from the 1955 RAF Sculthorpe Yearbook. No infringement of copyright (if any) is intended by their inclusion. With thanks to David Whitaker for allowing me to use his photograph of Flag Street circa 1957.
Music Score: 'Starlight Glow' from the Windows 10 Music Library.

Опубликовано:

8 июн 2022

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Комментарии : 37

@harriergr7728 Год назад

Unfortunately here in the UK, most of our Cold War heritage is being destroyed for the usual commodity, Money! Even RAF Scampton, with its history of 617sqn and the Red Arrows, is facing the same fate as other airfields. Luckily though, we have people who are dedicated to keeping the memories alive by volunteering their time to run heritage centres and museums, even though, at times, they face an uphill battle against the developers and short sighted councils. Thanks for posting your video of Sculthorpe.

@Chelveston78 Год назад

Thank you for your comments and I totally agree especially your reference to those individuals and groups who keep the heritage and the memory of such places alive and their struggles in doing so. RAF Wethersfield is one case in point with an established and popular Airfield Museum which has since closed (hopefully, only temporarily) and the lack of vision by the Ministry of Defense not to recognise the Airfield's past, is very disturbing. Fortunately, the History at the former RAF Sculthorpe is preserved at the Heritage Centre and with the acquisition of the original Base Chapel building, the Centre is to expand. Well done to all those concerned in making this project happen. Thanks once again for your comments and I wish you well.

@sillyone52062 8 месяцев назад

I served at RAF Sculthorpe in the Spring of 1982 supporting Operation Flintlock. Good memories of a beautiful country and wonderfully friendly people. .

@andreewoosley7046 Год назад

Thank you for this tour of Sculthorpe AFB. I lived on base (Halifax Crescent) in 1963-64 when my father was stationed at the base. I went to the school you showed near the end of the video. Such nice memories. And sadness, seeing bits of what I remember.

@waynehunt3816 9 месяцев назад

😢 i was stationed there 73 -75 as a firefighter. Had a wonderful time and would love to go back back

@waynehunt3816 9 месяцев назад

I can still see my room at Truman hall on the end 3 rd floor. Thanks again

@BillJudge-df8wq 11 месяцев назад

My dad was stationed at RAF Sculthorpe from 73-76. We lived on London Road in what is now called Wicken Green. We American kids attended the old smaller school at that point. Only British kids attended the newer larger school on Lancaster. It was a wonderful assignment that we all reflect upon with happiness. Thank you for posting this.

@raymondgunn9608 Год назад

I was at RAF Marham in the late 1970s and was detached to Sculthorpe for a while when Marham's runways were being resurfaced ( blacktop ). Aircraft fuel was supplied by direct pipeline from Thetford to the underground fuel tanks over the airfield. It was part of my job to monitor this transfer overnight to replenish the fuel installations for the next days requirements. I have many happy memories of the short time I was there. How can 45 years fly by as fast as a week did then ? Thanks for posting these videos. Their value will grow as more time passes.

@Chelveston78 Год назад

Thank you for your comments. Some good information. Sadly, such places are fading away but thankfully the Heritage Centre at Sculthorpe will continue to preserve the memory of those who served at this Base. All the best to you.

@rafsculthorpeheritagecentr4866 Год назад

Many thanks for the mentions. Hopefully we can achieve our goal of the original Chapel building as our new home.

@DavidLee-rx6uo Год назад

My dad was there in 61-62 . I was lucky to have been born there. I’ve been many times in the 80s while in the Army ftom Germany

@edwardwhite6565 Год назад

I miss it.

@stevenrawlinson8752 22 дня назад

i lived at RAF SCULTHORPE 683B CAMBRIDGE STREET 75-77 DAD WAS POSTED AT RAF WEST RAYNHAM

@edwardwhite6565 Год назад

I was assigned to a work detail of about 10 airman that had to install the Dexion for this building. Which was the skeletal part of the building for another work detail to finish.I rotated back to the Zl before this was finished. Never found out it was a chapel untill years later.

@rafsculthorpeheritagecentr4866 Год назад

Also for adding Freemans walkway sign. We felt it was about time he got his time. We have both Reis's and Freeman's George Medals on display at the Heritage Centre.

@Chelveston78 Год назад

Hi RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre. I never understood why both men weren't honoured at the same time but thankfully that oversight has been addressed with an equally fitting tribute to Freeman Kilpatrick. Well done to those involved in putting this right. I wish you well with the Chapel Building Project. Keep up the good work at the Centre. Regards to all.

@rafsculthorpeheritagecentr4866 Год назад

@Mark Nicholson two different squadrons. Reis was part of the 67th Air Rescue Squadron which is now the 67th Special Operations Squadron. The 67th were given the freedom of Hunstanton a few years ago and within a few years the Reis walkway was opened. Freeman was part of the 3rd communication sqd and he never spoke about what he did that night. Alex, his son, only knew about his father's actions when he was fourteen.

@XEboi 7 месяцев назад

Such a shame to see this place in the state it is now, used to go on there as a kid in the 1980's always remember the long access road

@kaybee7888 2 года назад

Thanks for this. My Dad was stationed there from 52-54.

@adeo.4473 Год назад

Motorcycle races were held on the runways, back in the 80's. The "track" was marked out with cones and straw bales, with huge gaps between rhe runway's concrete slabs, full of weeds. A nightmare! Then the rain would sweep in, from the coast to the north.

@James-gf9jl Месяц назад

For "Urban Explorers" read "Vandals".

@benbernard1498 Год назад

I was there Jan 1958 to Jan 1961, 47 A&E Maintenance Squadron.

@rogerarnold7262 2 года назад

Such a shame to see buildings knocked down rather than re-used like the control tower, surely with the housing shortage those Z blocks would mark great apartments. More needs to be done to protect heritage as well as tie in with modernisation like Alconbury.

@thomaslake2946 2 года назад

How about a bigger museum Like Bentwaters and Woodbridge

@hairymarmite6419 Месяц назад

lots of asbestos there apparently and the buildings were built in a hurry, as with most bases, with no energy efficiency in mind, but I agree, a crying shame to see it all go to waste.

@tickledcobweb8764 Месяц назад

I live next to it

@PerryCrowell-nx8sl 6 месяцев назад

I was born there Dec. 1956. Went back in the mid 60's to see the hospital I was born in but it had been torn down. Are there any pictures of the Hospital anywhere?

@Chelveston78 6 месяцев назад

Hi and thanks for your comment. Sorry, I can't provide any photos of the Hospital site but I do reference Hospital Staff in a RU-vid Video titled, 'The USAF in Britain - The American Airman, 1950's and Beyond' (@3.25 - 3.30 mins). Images were taken from the RAF Sculthorpe 1955 Yearbook. I would suggest you check out the RAF Sculthorpe Heritage site and their Facebook Page for any archived images, if any, of the Hospital? I wish you luck...

@keithweathersbee1 Год назад

What became of the fuel dump about 3 miles further on, on the left hand side?

@alfiethaxter Год назад

Fuel dump? Would you mind explaining more? I live not far and have a great amount of fascination with the base

@edwardwhite6565 Год назад

I am in this year book.

@thomaslake2946 2 года назад

Why did they knock down the control tower that would have be nice to see when I'm in that area and did you get permission to go on the runway by the mod please can you do marham and a updated Bentwaters and Woodbridge

@Chelveston78 2 года назад

Hi Thomas, thanks for your comment. I can't really give you a definitive reason why the tower was demolished but I saw it last up close in 2007 and it had been trespassed/vandalised then but I guess it was in a poor structural state and beyond economic and justifiable repair? The Tech Site (Z Block/Barracks site) is a Business Park and Privately owned whilst the Airfield is still retained by the MoD. My access in 2004 was authorised. In truth with the Tower, Hangars and other airfield buildings now gone, there is very little to see of interest and in many respects, that also applies to the Tech Site - the buildings have been sadly vandalised and are contaminated with asbestos. On a positive note, the RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre has been created and will preserve the History/Memories of the Airfield and is worth visiting. RAF Marham as you know is an Operational Airfield and is restricted access. I have done a few videos of Bentwaters/Woodbridge with relevant updates as to their current state/uses. I hope this answers your question. All the best..

@rafsculthorpeheritagecentr4866 Год назад

Unfortunately, the ATC Tower was beyond economical repair, plus with no regular access, it would be impossible to use as a Heritage Centre.