Waddington Air Show
Vulcan, Newark Air Museum
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Airfield Trail Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre
LINCOLNSHIRE home of the Royal Air Force MORE Information
SHORT Breaks
WADDINGTON AIR SHOW The Waddington International Air Show is the largest of the RAF's air shows, with a truly international flavour and static aircraft displays featuring up to 100 military and civilian aircraft. Displays include RAF Waddington's resident squadrons, aviation museums and major aerospace companies. All the armed services mount recruiting displays, many of which offer exciting "hands-on" experience for young hopefuls. Other attractions include live music, helicopter pleasure flights, a classic car and vehicle exhibition, a traditional funfair, trade and craft fairs. www.waddingtonairshow.co.uk NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCIL - AIRFIELD TRAIL The award-winning Airfield Trail covers Great War and Second World War airfields in mid-Lincolnshire, together with the operational stations of Cranwell, Digby and Waddington. Copies of the free illustrated guide are available from the T.I.C. Money's Yard, Carre Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 7TW. Tel (01529) 414294. www.heartoflincs.com WEST LINDSEY DISTRICT COUNCIL – AVIATION HERITAGE
Take a break at a click of a mouse with a package of themed short breaks. Whether it's the great outdoors, food and drink, gardening, shopping with style – or aviation heritage – Lincolnshire offers the perfect short break. All are bookable online at visitlincolnshire.com
For aviation enthusiasts You will find wonderful museums and visitor centres, which reflect the county's rich aviation heritage from the early years of military flying to the present day, as well as the busy operational bases of today's Royal Air Force. Take time to explore Lincolnshire's past and present, visit an authentic wartime fighter operations room, listen to the growl of Merlin engines, and watch the polished ease of The Red Arrows as they practice their complex manoeuvres in the high Lincolnshire skies.
West Lindsey includes many famous airfields. Copies of the free Aviation Heritage guide and Memorials leaflet are available from the Tourism Unit, West Lindsey District Council, 26 Spital Terrace, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 2HG Tel (01427) 676666. www.west-lindsey.gov.uk
and not just for aviation enthusiasts…
GROUP VISITS AND GUIDED TOURS
Memorials to personnel of airfields and squadrons can be found from one end of the county to the other, in village churches, by roadsides or on the former airfields themselves.
The county's Aviation Heritage is as much a social history as a military history. Visits can be combined with other activities, including family history, churches, the built environment, walking, cycling, houses and gardens, antiques, a city break, and the tastes of Lincolnshire. FOR VALOUR
Exploring the many airfields around Lincoln on guided day tours, special tours and breaks can also be arranged for groups. Contact the Sleaford T.I.C. on (01529) 414294. www.heartoflincs.com The City of Lincoln operates guided tours within the historic city area, and also offers guiding for groups of the City's aviation heritage. For information contact the Lincoln T.I.C. on (01522) 873213 / 873256 www.lincoln.gov.uk Bomber County Tours offer individually tailored day tours for groups, with an experienced specialist guide. Tel (07884) 003384. www.bombercountytours.com Visitors can receive a wide range of help from the many Tourist Information Centres across the county. For the location of Tourist Information Centres contact Lincolnshire Tourism on (01522) 526450 or at
www.visitlincolnshire.com
Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this leaflet and the details shown are up to date at the time of publication. As content and opening times at attractions may vary at short notice, to avoid disappointment please check with the attraction before making a long or special journey.
PUBS Probably the most famous watering hole of allied aircrew was the Saracen's Head close by the Stonebow on Lincoln's High Street and known to many as the Snake Pit. The main part of the building is now a bookshop, although a plaque commemorates its passing. Village pubs close by the airfields were "the local" to countless air and ground crews, and many have photographs and other mementoes which recall those wartime days.
head off to somewhere different This leaflet is one of a range published by Visit Lincolnshire for details of all our themed Short Breaks please contact us T: (01522) 526450 F: (01522) 526431 E: info@visitlincolnshire.com
head off to somewhere different
www.visitlincolnshire.com
Please note that although the Royal Air Force encourages an active interest in its work, apart from the public area at RAF Waddington there are no viewing facilities adjacent to the airfields and security restrictions may be applied from time to time to meet operational requirements.
largest air show held each year at RAF Waddington. air academy at RAF Cranwell. Or enjoy a day at the RAF's Visit the elegant buildings of the world's oldest military See two of only four Lancaster bombers left in Britain. great family day out, Lincolnshire has something to suit. Whether you’re an enthusiast or simply looking for a and home to the famous Red Arrows RAF display team. and reminders of Lincolnshire’s historic aviation role –
By 1945 there were 49 airfields, more than any other county. Pilot poet John Magee flew Spitfires with the Royal Canadian Air Force, and is buried at Scopwick. Almost 500 air force memorials mark the sacrifice of young men and women of many nations. During the Second World War Lincolnshire became Bomber County, home to many Lancaster squadrons. Almost half Bomber Command's 19 Victoria Crosses honoured airmen flying from Lincolnshire, including Wg Cdr Guy Gibson of 617 Squadron, the Dam Busters.
Bomber County The RAF was formed in 1918 from the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps, and after the war there were only three airfields in Lincolnshire. At Cranwell’s Royal Air Force College, formed in 1920, Frank Whittle proposed the basis of the jet engine. T E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) also served there. During the Great War Lincolnshire’s 37 airfields housed fighters targeting Zeppelins, training aircraft and airships, while Lincoln was one of Britain’s largest aircraft production centres.
Discover a landscape criss-crossed by wartime airfields
In the Beginning
Take to Lincolnshire’s ‘big skies’ and experience the thrill
and excitement of aviation – past and present.
RAF Cranwell RAF Digby RAF Scampton RAF Waddington RAF Coningsby
Eurofighter Typhoons, the RAF's new strike aircraft, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight The RAF College and Central Flying School Ground communications base Home of The Red Arrows Sentry airborne early warning AWACS aircraft, reconnaissance Nimrods, and radar equipped Sentinels
The Present Day Royal Air Force in Lincolnshire Britain's nuclear deterrent was maintained by the RAF's V-Force in the 1950s/1960s with Scampton and Waddington operating Vulcans and Lightning supersonic interceptors from Binbrook.
The Cold War In the Great War US Navy flying-boats flew anti-submarine patrols, in the 1940s fighter pilots were trained, C-47 transports carried D-Day paratroops, and B-29 strategic bombers were based here. The 3 Eagle Squadrons were all based at Kirton in Lindsey during WWII.
The American Connection
VISITOR CENTRES • MUSEUMS • AIRFIELD TRAILS • GUIDED TOURS • MEMORIALS • TODAY'S ROYAL AIR FORCE
Avi at i onH Li ncol n
Her i t age l nshi r e
( 01522)545458
Vi s i t orI nf or mat i onCent r eon
Li ndum Her i t ageof f eri ndi v i dual l yt ai l or edt our sf orgr oups ac c ompani edbyanex per i enc eds pec i al i s tgui de,wi t h24hours er v i c e. T el ( 01522)845060www. l i ndumher i t age. c o. uk
vi si t l i ncol nshi re. com