Scampton

**Hawkeye001** · 25-06-2008, 22:13

Where Did They Bury Nigger, Again?
I have a relevant anecdote for you concerning RAF Scampton. If you've heard it before please forgive me for its repetition.
In May 1968, on the anniversary of the famous Dams Raid by 617 Sqn, RAF, a press day was held at Scampton. The liaison officer was showing press and guests around the station, and stopped outside 617 Sqn's HQ. "And here," he said "is where Flight Sergeant Powell buried Nigger, Guy Gibson's faithful dog, at the very moment that Gibson was attacking the Mohne Dam", and he indicated a nice little grave in the garden. A voice from the back called out "No it bloody isn't, I buried him over there, where they've built the Operations Block." This was "Chiefy" Powell himself, and he should have known where he buried Nigger. It seems they hustled him off to the Mess and plied him with drink, so the press wouldn't destroy a perfectly good legend. Source unknown, but I swear it's true.

Regards,

Hawkeye001

**tamiya monkey** · 19-07-2008, 10:26

sounds like you had a great day, i would like to visit scampton as ive drove past it a few times and would be great to come along with some others, if your arranging a visit i would love to come along, i live in rotherham and if anyone close by is going maybe i could take them with me.

**norwichpaul** · 19-07-2008, 11:37

I take it you mean the Operations & Briefing Block (Central Flying School HQ) (Building 399), completed in 1958 and built not far away from Hangar1?

**Peter** · 19-07-2008, 15:18

Just wondering with the reds leaving Scampton, what is the fate of the base? Would be an excellent location to operate the Vulcan from ??

**jason** · 19-07-2008, 22:21

Roger our guide said that it made sense to have the BBMF here and keep the Reds there too, the airfield and site could easily accomodate them, plus it would keep this historical site alive, plus as you say why not have the Vulcan based here as well.

**stevie** · 19-07-2008, 23:13

The Vulcan will be looking for a new home to operate from if everything goes well with finding sponsership (Fingers crossed) etc.

I was up at Bruntingthorpe watching her performing her test flights last month and was told by one of the vulcan to the skies people that it's just not ideal to operate from Bruntingthorpe due to the availability of the runway as it's used so heavily for car testing and the runway is not in perhaps the best of shape for the vulcan to use so regually. So if all goes well they will be on the look out for somewhere to base her.

Scampton would be ideal for many reasons especially being as it was a vulcan base in the past as well.

**F4andy** · 22-07-2008, 20:33

Sadly, there will be no vulcan operations out of Scampton.

The main reason for the reds moving, is the state of the runway.

On my many visits to Scampton, I have seen members of the ground crew racing down the runway, then braking heavily to determine the grip on a frosty morning.
I have also seen the team return in a rain shower that would not bother somewhere like Waddo, but heard the tower telling the team that the runway was marginal!!

I do see scampton becoming some kind of museum site, there is too much history there to bulldoze it into the ground, but its flying days are numbered...

**F4andy** · 14-09-2008, 14:22

Just wanted to post a quick note to say how nice it was to meet up with, Richard, Jason, Noel, & Warren at scampton today.

I had a great time, & it was good to meet you guys, & I hope that we can meet up for future visits

I took some pics, but will put them on my fotopic site, as I know the others took loads, so there will be more than enough on here soon.

A very pleasant way to spend a sunday morning...

**REF** · 15-09-2008, 13:30

Hi Andy

Thanks alot for organising the trip. Really good day out and I thoroughly reccomend it. I'll get some photos I took sorted out over the coming days and post them up.

Really like some of your photos by the way. Will you be putting any more up on your site?

**F4andy** · 15-09-2008, 14:39

Cheers Richard

I have chosen the best of the bunch really, for my fotopic gallery.
I borrowed a lens for the morning, as I only have a 70-300 for my plane pics, & as you can see, it was a wide angle jobby, so most of the pics had to be cropped in Photoshop.
Quite pleased with them though, discovered AE (aperture priority) on my Canon 20D recently, & my photo's changed over night

Anyway, look forward to seeing your pics, & the others who were there