10 November 2011
Assistance Required – V-Force in Lincolnshire
Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) is seeking assistance to help establish contact with former V-Force personnel who served in Lincolnshire in the early 1960s and then again in the early 1980s.
The recording of oral histories is a significant part of AHL’s remit for their aviation heritage programme, which is funded by an award of £436,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Several interviews from the World War II era have already been recorded as part of the “Shouting The Odds” project, with some being available via links from their website www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com
The AHL team is now moving their attention to the post World War II era of the Cold War and the Valiant, Victor and Vulcan crews of the V-Bomber squadrons of the V-Force.
2012 will be the 60th Anniversary of the formation of the RAF’s V-Force and in October next year it will be 50 years after the Cuban Missile Crisis. 2012 will also mark 30 years since the Falklands Campaign, where a massive force of Victor tankers supported the Vulcan bombers from Lincolnshire with their Black Buck missions.
AHL officers are currently planning to run some Cuban Missile Crisis themed events in Oct 2012 and are trying to identify V-Force (Thor and Bloodhound) personnel who were serving in Lincolnshire at the time, who would be willing to assist with these activities. AHL officers are also trying to identify V-Force, Thor and Bloodhound personnel from this time to see if they are willing to record their 'Cold War' oral histories.
Lincolnshire’s bases that were involved in these operations include:
- RAF Coningsby
- RAF Scampton
- RAF Waddington
- RAF Hemswell
- RAF Coleby Grange
- RAF Bardney
- RAF Caistor
- RAF Ludford Magna
- RAF Dunholme Lodge
- RAF North Coates
- RAF Woodhall Spa
- RAF Barkston Heath.
In addition they are also hoping to capture V-Force Falklands Campaign oral histories, mainly connected with operations from RAF Waddington in 1982.
Anyone willing to assist the AHL officers in these matters is requested to make contact with:
Phil Bonner: Phil@aviationheritagelincolnshire.com (for the Cuban Missile Crisis themed events)
David Harrigan: David@aviationheritagelincolnshire.com (for the Cold War & V-Force Falklands Campaign oral histories)
Or via post at: Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire PO BOX 3 Kesteven Street Sleaford Lincs NG34 7EF