Well another glorious day, so of the Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre. https://www.metheringhamairfield.co.uk/ Only £7.15 with donation to get in, had a nice tea cake and a cuppa there too. ( I know how to live life to the max ) Anyway here are a few pictures for you.
The above models of the Lancaster Bombers represents all the aircraft that were lost at RAF Metheringham.
They were cut from a different cloth back then - literally the golden generation. Mr Jackson being a first class example you can but imagine the balls it took to climb out on the wing, let alone fight the fire. I am in awe of him and his kind.
The same silhouettes of the aircrew are at the bomber command centre outside Lincoln…. Very effective to see in real life - pictures don’t do it justice. I went as part of our Lancaster experience day at East Kirkby with my son last year on the 80th anniversary of D Day. I’d recommend a visit to both to anyone.
Indeed - I think back to when I was a kid (born 1966) and WWII was recent. I kick myself for not paying more attention to what the older generation were talking about at family get togethers after a few drinks. All gone now and their stories with them.
I can relate to that, my dad was in the Royal Artillery, based at Wick. I didn't pay much attention to what went on, but as you say, now, I bloody wished I did. One thing he told me, and this story contradicts all the official versions that I've read, it was one morning in Wick, the crew of the gun, or guns were told NOT to engage a Messerschmitt 109, that was coming in. My dad saw Rudolf Hess get out of the fighter, salute somebody ( I forgot who ) got into a car and drove off. I've always said, why would my dad lie about something like that. He knew what Rudolf Hess looked like too, he was only 21 years old back then.
It’s a fantastic visit - highly recommended. There’s a huge wall map of Europe that runs through every bombing raid (of both sides) from hitlers first forays in maybe 37 till May 45 all in 10 minutes. The names laser cut out of steel plates of all allied air losses in the campaign - staggering. If/when you go take one of the free tours. Our guide was an old Vulcan crew member and had stories of his own that were fascinating along with explaining about the centre, its foundation and individual quirky stories of some of the names exhibited.
