Posted By John Baxter on September 20, 2005 at 20:20:52:
The Tower museum at Bassingbourn (home of Mamphis Bell et all) is now under the control of the British Army and the base is being used as an active recruit training facliity. The B-17 hangers are still in use, though now by the Army, and many of the old buildings and much of the runways survive. The Tower itself still exists and is fascinating.
I visited at length with three wonderful volunteer museum keepers and found a significant number of fascinating exhibits. They have equipment, pictures, nose art and flight/mission/casualty records. I foound the story of my father's 3rd and last mission. He flew it on November 27th 1942 in "Pandora's Box". four out of five planes wer shot down and the fifth crashed landed back in England. I now have xeroxes of numerous documents telling me about the father I never met. The "Tower Museum" is well worth saving.
The problem is sponsorship (financial support). The Army is demanding Rent and Insurance be paid by the Museum and guaranteed by the volunteers. Though the cost is modest by present standards the volunteers are not capable of sustaining the operation. This field is remote from the teaming millions of London. It sits in the quiet country side a few miles from Royston near Cambridge. The museum's soul source of income is derived from contributions deposited in a jar. Its few Visitors have to search out this place and travel great distances to drop a few dollars in that Jar. They come there to find answers to the guestions of how their loved ones spent those last precious days and ultimatly gave their life. What was it like to be there when humanity needed all they could give and they gave it?
Loss of this precious and historic place can be prevented by your help. Google "Tower Museum Bassingbourn" for contact information and a good site tour.
Thanks - John Baxter
See you at "The Commerative Airforce Midland Texas"
air show October 1 and 2.