The 100th Bomb Group at Thorpe Abbots ~ May 2012

[bomberflight]

The cold and rain did not deter a good audience at the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum today to mark what could possibly be the
very last visit by WW2 veterans from the USA.

For one last time ~ the last traces of the runways and taxi ways of this former airfield would witness the return of some of the men
from the Mighty Eighth Air Force.....





The tower and outbuildings are really well preserved .....



and contain enough memorabilia to engage interest for several hours







I would guess the wing span on this model to be around 6 feet or more



Once you've noted the USAF honor guard in attendance ~ which was a really nice touch ..... we'll go inside the hut to warm up a bit



This is where the 100th BG veterans spent a relaxed morning with friends and families





And the location for the museums gift shop. It would have been rude of me if I left without buying a few things wouldn't it



Back outside ~ interviews with verterans were being recorded ......



before the formal part of the day ~ when the veterans were thanked for coming and the contribution they made for our freedom today







Then an actual WW2 flag from the 8th Air Force was raised



All in all ~ a well organized day by a nice bunch of people ~ at a nicely preserved tower museum.

And my final image for today is for the B-17 experts ~ just to prove you never know what will turn up in places like this !



Can this trailer really sitting on four B-17 tail wheels ?

[B-17 Buff]

Thanks for posting Bomberflight... it looks like it was a nice event for all concerned, was this announced publicly? If so I guess I missed it....

[Wyvernfan]

Very nice photos and report Peter. I've been to Thorpe Abbotts in the past, and it is an inspiration to others, both in quality and atmosphere.

[PeterVerney]

Thankyou for a very good illustrated report of a moving occasion.

In pic No.6 is that a painting of the prototype of those marvellous tractors at Duxford?

[J Boyle]

It does my heart good to see how UK aviation historians and their supporters keep the history of the 8th AF alive.
Visiting veterans always enjoy their time in the UK and and the quality of the facility restoration speaks for itself.

To all those involved, well done...and many thanks from this American.

[bazv]

Very nice pics and report...thank you
The weather 'over here' was probably exactly as the Veterans remembered it

rgds baz

[knifeedgeturn]

Looking at the excellent mural on the end wall in the nissen, I'd say the weather was pretty much an exact replica; I went there about 5 years ago (weather was the same) but quite a few more people there today, well done those involved.

[Andy in Beds]

It does my heart good to see how UK aviation historians and their supporters keep the history of the 8th AF alive.
Visiting veterans always enjoy their time in the UK and and the quality of the facility restoration speaks for itself.

It does my heart good too, and I'm British.
Well done to all concerned and thanks for posting.
Andy

[vultee35]

I would guess the wing span on this model to be around 6 feet or more

The B-17 is 1/10 scale and spans just over 10 feet, and was built between 1988 and '93. It was powered by four Saito .45 Four Strokes and weighed 36 pounds at take off. It was later stripped of the engines and radio and I donated it to the museum for display around 1995 as I had built a larger 1/6 scale version to replace it on the show circuit.

This is the 1/6 scale version in 2004.