| A good day at the former RAF East Kirkby, part of 5 group Bomber Command and home to 57 & 630 Squadrons. The Lancaster NX611 was started up and performed two taxi displays during the day. A Spitfire flown by Squadron Leader Paul Day late of the BBMF (OC) performed an excellent display. Many former buildings are preserved and there is a good exhibition in the Hangar.
Return visit during Easter 2005, more photos of the former airfield including the USAF extension. I went on the airfield tour they run using a "Queen Mary" which was very interesting. |
Aerial view - looking roughly east - Martyn Perry |
Aerial view - looking roughly west - Martyn Perry |
Lancaster NX611 prior to its second taxi run |
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Close up of "Just Jane" |
The preserved control tower |
Paul Day approaching in the Spitfire |
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Part of the Spitfire display |
Preserved RAF vehicle |
Preserved RAF vehicle |
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Spitfire being towed back to its hangar following the display |
The legendary Paul Day |
Lancaster during its taxi display |
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Another view of the control tower |
Memorial to the "Base" system. 55 Base |
Some of the preserved buildings |
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A section of the apron at the North of the field, created by the USAF for jet operation |
Memorial to 57 and 630 Squadrons |
Prop memorial at the main gate |
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The SW / NE and NW / SE subsidury runways joined the Western peritrack at this point. Looking down the SE runway, returned to agriculture |
Western peritrack viewed from the "Queen Mary" airfield tour. Heading towards the Southern end of the North / South main runway. |
The line of the North / South runway, from the Southern end |
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The USAF built apron at the North of the airfield. This is a massive apron which takes up a part of the North / South runway, looking South towards it. |
The apron looking East |
Spitfire being towed back following the cancellation of its display due to low cloud |
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Spitfire again, the building behind is a reclad T2, one of four built when East Kirkby became a base station of 55 base, controling Strubby and Spilsby |
"Just Janes" hangar, built on the site of a WW2 original |
Another memorial |
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Dont suppose this is original, nice touch though |
As it may have been, bell and the ever popular bikes. I,m told that after WW2 3000 bikes where sold from East Kirkby |
Ident square and tower |
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The Northern peri track of the USAF extension which was an extension of the SW / NE wartime subsidury. View looking to the East |
Same peri track but looking West towards the WW2 site |
Southern peri track of the extension as it curves South to join the Eastern peri track of the WW2 site |
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The runway extension, looking East |
2005 view of "Just Jane" |
An appreciative audiance |
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Rear of the control tower |
Night shot of "Just Jane" November 2005 |
