Painting "The Briefing"

[DC10RealMan]

I was a civilian guest in the Officers Mess at RAF Scampton just prior to its closure (Ya, Boo, Hiss!!!). In the mess antiroom there was a painting called "The Briefing" showing a Bomber Command briefing prior to a raid in World War II with a quotation from Stephen Spender underneath along the lines of "and signed the air with their honour". This painting fascinated me with its location adding to the effect. I wondered whatever happened to it has it also been sold off together with the remainder of the silverware.

Tony Fallows
Hampshire

[Megaton]

Still at Scampton (or was last time I looked) although the thieving ba5tards from Support Command were trying to nick it so it could hang in the corridors of College Hall.

[DC10RealMan]

Ham Phisted,

Thank you for your reply, I havent visited Scampton for about tweleve months now but when I last visited the Officers Mess was in a state of semi-dereliction. I wondered if the mess has been renovated or has "The Briefing" been moved to a new location at Scampton.

[Megaton]

The Officers' Mess looks ok from a distance but close-up you realise that it is nearly derelict. The Briefing was in the Combined Mess round the back of SHQ.

[vmv2]

It was moved to the Lancaster Room in College Hall Officers Mess when Scampton closed in 96. It was brought back to Scampton when the Combined Mess was opened in 2001. The Combined Mess is now the Sgts Mess and The Briefing hangs in the ante-room.

[GlosMikeP]

Originally Posted by Ham Phisted

Still at Scampton (or was last time I looked) although the thieving ba5tards from Support Command were trying to nick it so it could hang in the corridors of College Hall.

Well if they do I hope they hang it in style alongside 617 bombing Tirpitz. They would be a good complement.