RAF firefighting museum closing
 

Probably like you I never knew it existed, and now I do I feel embarrassed and saddened it hasn't been supported more. See

Museum of RAF Firefighting | Museum dedicated to RAF Firefighting History preserving the past to safeguard the future

Thank you. Ditto. :{

Could it move to Cosford?

Slight thread drift, but my first meeting wit "Aunty" Joan Hopkins was "fire " related. I was flt cdr in DIOT at the Towers, but posted on promotion to Neatishead a few weeks hence. The two group captains did a deal that I should go to Neatishead for a pre Taceval ground defence exercise in which I would be ground defence commander.


I turn up at Neatishead as instructed, I am shown the ops desk, and before I can say "what the...." my predecessor has disappeared. So there I am, know no one, no nothing of what is going on, and have not even seen the real estate. Before I can read myself in past the first page of the instructions an message comes in that there is a "fire at the transmitter site". Map shows that to be at Stalham about 5 miles away, so on the basis that where we are is the main asset and only one fire engine I issue an instruction to CPX call to civilian fire brigade to attend. A nanosecond later a smoke wreathed cabbage kit clad bundle of energy is in front of my desk. "When there is fire on my station squadron leader it has flame coming from it - send the fire engine and crew" "Yes, Ma'am (having noticed the rank braid) I stammer. That's blown it, that's a posting and promotion blown (had I said that part of the bosses' deal was that I was to be dressed as a pretend sqn ldr). later she came an d had a chat and all seemed well.


Clearly the improved confidence had gone to me head as at the main briefing at 1800, after the fighter controllers had said their various pieces, I stood up to do the ground defence brief, and introduced myself - "Station Commander, ladies and gentlemen, so far I have not understood a thing - I hope I do better". At which point I wondered if I had gone too far, but, no Aunty Joan was roaring her head off. Turned into a pretty good tour too.

I did the fire officers' course at Catterick in 1967 prior to posting to Seletar as station fire officer. That said I am ashamed to say I had no idea there was a Museum of RAF Firefighting.

What is to become of the world's largest collection of string vests and volleyball nets?

Hardly surprising, as I doubt that it makes the general public's top 100 museums to visit and therefore doesn't generate much income.

Would be a shame to lose it though, so maybe it could go to somewhere like Cosford (as mentioned by air pig).

Looking at the photos in their gallery brought back many memories. I hadn't remembered the Mk. 6 being that boxy ... perhaps I've been overexposed to civvy airport fire trucks too muck.

It actually closed to visitors about a year ago, all the exhibits have been packed up and put in storage, but the guys behind it still take vehicles out to exhibit at shows.

I think they are still looking for a permanent home

They should approach the National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield

Why is the hangar at Scampton no longer available?

Roadster280,

Maybe the RAF wants the hangar back? As Scampton appears to have a future, and as so many stations don’t, perhaps having 25% of the hangar space allocated to a museum made no sense?

Dave I take it you know them, I drive past an old Sea Scout fire engine everyday which is more or less complete with everything in it, I could take a picture if you want to see it.

Not personally, but I've seen them at shows.

You can contact them at

[email protected]

I was just curious. 4 C type sheds and only one squadron would imply plenty of space to me, but maybe the expansion of the Heritage Centre is happening.

Well the front end of the Lanc is now at East Kirkby, that left Scampton.

Discovered today they are actually moving to a new site near Gainsborough, due to reopen in 2018

https://www.facebook.com/Raffiremuseum

Only one Fire Museum? I am surprised, having been in a few I thought every station had one. Normally found next to the tower.... :suspect:




I know, hat, coat and taxi for one.....

I visualise numerous battered drip trays filled with flammable material while an accompanying sound track shouts 'play it to the back' on repeat.

Or a certain 'Watch' happily sat in the crew room watching the telly while their kitchen went up in flames and smoke....

Allegedly caused by a budding cook/arsonist putting the roast potato pan c/w goose fat and tat's under the grill to keep warm and forgetting....

Couldn't ever say where, but I believe the local golf courses were of international fame....