RAF Scampton

RAF Scampton
source
Name	RAF Scampton
Caption	An aerial view of the airfield.
Type	Royal Air Force station
Location	Lincolnshire, England
Coordinates	53, 18, 29, N...
Pushpin label	RAF Scampton
Ownership	Ministry of Defence
Operator	Royal Air Force
Site area	800 acre
Built	1916 (as Brattleby), reopened 1936
Used	1916–1919, 1936–2023
Garrison	No. 1 Group RAF
Battles	Second World War, Cold War
ICAO	EGXP
Elev m	57
Elev ft	187
R1-number	05/23
R1-length-m	2743
R1-length-ft	9000
R1-surface	Asphalt

RAF Scampton is a former Royal Air Force station located in Lincolnshire, England, notable for its pivotal role in wartime operations and as the long-time home of the Red Arrows display team. Originally opened during the First World War, it was rebuilt in the 1930s and became famous as the base for No. 617 Squadron RAF and the Dambusters Raid. The station has hosted numerous front-line RAF squadrons and remained a key operational site throughout the Cold War before its closure as an active airfield.

History

The site was first used in 1916 by the Royal Flying Corps as a night landing ground named Brattleby, supporting training operations for the First World War. The station closed after the armistice but was reconstructed and reopened in 1936 as a modern RAF bomber base, initially hosting units like No. 49 Squadron RAF flying Hampden aircraft. Its most famous chapter began in 1943 when No. 617 Squadron RAF, the "Dambusters", was formed here under Wing Commander Guy Gibson to execute Operation Chastise against German dams using the innovative bouncing bomb designed by Barnes Wallis. Throughout the Second World War, squadrons at the station flew missions in aircraft such as the Avro Lancaster and participated in major campaigns including the Battle of the Ruhr and the Battle of Berlin. Post-war, it was upgraded for V bomber operations during the Cold War, hosting Avro Vulcan aircraft from No. 83 Squadron RAF as part of Britain's nuclear deterrent.

Role and operations

For most of its operational life, the station served as a key bomber base for RAF Bomber Command and later No. 1 Group RAF. Its primary role involved training and deploying crews for strategic bombing, maritime patrol, and, during the Cold War, nuclear strike missions. Following the departure of front-line bomber squadrons, it transitioned to a support and training function, most famously becoming the home of the Red Arrows from 1983 until 2022. The station also housed the Central Flying School for a period and provided essential facilities for engineering, air traffic control, and logistical support for deployed units. Its long runway and extensive infrastructure made it a valuable asset for exercises and operations with NATO allies.

Based units

Notable flying units based at the airfield over its history include No. 49 Squadron RAF, No. 57 Squadron RAF, and No. 83 Squadron RAF, all operating various bomber aircraft. The most famous resident was No. 617 Squadron RAF, formed here for the Dambusters Raid. During the Cold War, it hosted Avro Vulcan squadrons as part of the V bomber force. From 1983, it was the permanent base for the Red Arrows, flying Hawk jets, alongside supporting units such as the Red Arrows engineering wing and elements of the RAF Police. Various support and training squadrons from the RAF and Army Air Corps have also been stationed here.

Future plans

Following the departure of the Red Arrows to RAF Waddington and the station's closure in 2023, the site was purchased by West Lindsey District Council. The planned future involves a major regeneration project named "Scampton Holdings," aiming to create an aviation, heritage, and business hub. Key elements of the proposal include preserving the historic Second World War hangars and runways, developing a museum focused on the Dambusters Raid, and establishing commercial and research facilities. There are also plans to use parts of the site for aerospace technology development and as a location for film and television production, leveraging its iconic history.

In popular culture

The station and the Dambusters Raid have been immortalised in several major films, most notably the 1955 movie The Dam Busters starring Michael Redgrave and Richard Todd, which was partly filmed on location. The story has been referenced in numerous documentaries, including series by the BBC and Channel 4, and inspired the name of the Star Wars spacecraft, the B-wing. The base itself has featured in television programmes such as Top Gear for high-speed runway challenges and has been the subject of historical books by authors like Paul Brickhill. The Red Arrows' association with the station has also led to its frequent appearance in media coverage of air shows and national events.

Category:Royal Air Force stations in Lincolnshire Category:Military installations established in 1916 Category:Aviation museums in England