55 Base was the HQ for RAF Spilsby, RAF Strubby and RAF East Kirkby. For a very brief period in 1944 Wg Cdr Guy Gibson VC DSO* DFC* was the Officer Commanding, 55 Base. Set next to the restored Control Tower in the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, this Memorial was dedicated on 2nd July 1995. The site also has a memorial to 57 & 630 Squadrons which were based there. After the dedication, the Centre's Lancaster NX611 was overflown by the BBMF's Lancaster PA474, then captained by Mike Chatterton, watched by his father John, who flew from East Kirkby. Lancaster NX611 is now maintained in taxying condition and in 2001 was run 'tail up' down what was left of East Kirkby's runway for a BBC film. |
 source: Haslam |