Originally Posted by
bobward
Dixi,
I think you'll find a certain factory just down the road making buckets of instant sunshine (allegedly).
Back in the 1980's USAFE wanted to base a dozen KC135's there. The locals went nuts! Were you to try putting a major airport there, insurrection would surely follow.
In any event, it's all academic as the runway has been dug up years ago. The only big stuff left being the control tower and the cruise missile bunkers.
The tankers eventually went to Fairford.
I don't think Aldermarston was the real problem but the well-heeled and influencial in the area would have put a stop to any development.
I drove past the Swan pub on the old A34 one night in the late '80s and came accross a convoy of cruise missile trucks with police escort blocking the road. Had to wait about 10 minutes before I could be on my way.
I also remember IAT shows at Greenham before the move to Fairford.
Dixi.