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

[@BillJudge-df8wq]

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.

[@sillyone52062]

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

[@harriergr7728]

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]

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.

[@raymondgunn9608]

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]

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.

[@andreewoosley7046]

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]

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

[@waynehunt3816]

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

[@rafsculthorpeheritagecentr4866]

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

[@edwardwhite6565]

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.

[@DavidLee-rx6uo]

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]

I miss it.

[@XEboi]

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]

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

[@rafsculthorpeheritagecentr4866]

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]

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]

​@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.

[@adeo.4473]

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.

[@stevenrawlinson8752]

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

[@rogerarnold7262]

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]

How about a bigger museum Like Bentwaters and Woodbridge

[@hairymarmite6419]

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.

[@benbernard1498]

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

[@keithweathersbee1]

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

[@alfiethaxter]

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

[@charlieyb9]

As above mote info would be 👍

[@PerryCrowell-nx8sl]

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]

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 KZbin 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...

[@James-gf9jl]

For "Urban Explorers" read "Vandals".

[@thomaslake2946]

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]

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]

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

[@imogengodwin3660]

Hi! I wonder if anyone knew a man named Burton Hall Allen Jr. who may of been stationed here during a period of time of 1959?

[@tickledcobweb8764]

I live next to it

[@edwardwhite6565]

I am in this year book.

[@angelsone-five7912]

Aint progress a wonderful thing ? 🤮