2011 News - 2010 News - 2008 News - 2006 News - 2005 News

News

  Latest news from the museum in 2010...

Date: October 2010

Redhill Aerodrome fire appliance returns to the Royal Air Force

Redhill Aerodrome once again is supporting the RAF only this time there will not be the sound of aircraft scrambling to the skies. The aerodrome fire service operates ex Royal Air Force crash rescue vehicles, and one of these is now surplus to requirements.

The vehicle that served the aerodrome is a TACR 2 (Truck Airfield Crash Rescue) which is based on a Range Rover chassis. A discussion in passing between the aerodromes Fire Service Manager Nick Spendlow and Steve Shirley a serving RAF Fire Officer who founded the Royal Air Force Fire Museum which is located at RAF Manston in Kent, resulted in Steve contacting the aerodrome to see what the fate of the vehicles future would be.

After several telephone calls and talks with the aerodrome, the vehicle was acquired by Mr Tim Webster (Assistant Curator Manston Fire Museum) who works alongside Steve as part of their vehicle restoration team. The current plan is to try and restore the vehicle back to how it was when it was first delivered to the Royal Air Force back in 1982.

Tim explained “This kind of undertaking will mean hours of pain staking research and restoration if this vehicle is to be displayed at the museum. As you can appreciate the vehicle is 28 years old and has not been operational for the last 10 years and that some of the original parts have been removed to keep the aerodromes current vehicle operational.”

With this vehicle being acquired by the museum, it fills in a gap of the generation of vehicle that the Royal Air Force once used.

Fire Service Manager Nick Spendlow handing the keys over to Mr Tim Webster Assistant Curator RAF Manston Fire Museum.

Redhill Aerodrome’s old TACR 2 loaded and ready to be transported to the museum.             

Date: June 2010

On the 20th June the museum hosted a visit from the National Association of Retired Firefighters, Yorkshire branch. They had been informed of the existance of the storage facility by Barry Andrews who is a member of the Lincolnshire branch of NARFF. The visit began with a tour of the Scampton History Museum and the grave of Guy Gibsons dog "Nigger". This was followed by a power point presentation by Steve Shirley on the set up and history of the Manston Fire Museum. They then toured the MFM storage facility where they were able to see items under storage/restoration. The Scampton display room (Museum 2) was also inspected to great aclaim. Next was a visit to the vehicle hanger where they were able to see 20 fire appliances.

Everyone had a fantastic day and Steve Shirley was delighted to be presented with a NARFF shield and a book celebrating the history of Leeds Fire Brigade.

Special thanks go to: Roger Crisp of the Scampton History Museum, Kim and Andrea Shirley, Lee and Amanda Medley who assisted with hosting (the tea making team), Colin and Martyn Tasker who have recently joined the Museums team of helpers at Scampton and were on hand to move 20 vehicles out of the hanger in glorious sunshine! Finally Ian Swift, the event photographer.

Date: May 2010

Mr Tony Screeves presented Steve Shirley with a Fire Service Benevolent Fund Colouring book in mint condition featuring line drawings of old Fire Appliances. Also, he presented Steve with typed notes compiled by Mr. David Thornley over his period of service with Warwickshire Fire Brigade. Tony served for 25years with WFB. The notes form part of the trade knowledge required for a Retained Firefighter, and are a fascinating insight into what was required to be a proficient firefighter in those days. Tony was attending a passout parade at Manston and was just glad that these mementoes would find a good home.

 

Date: 9th April 2010

Major General Kirkland OBE and Councillor Mavanne Saunders trying on a "New Yorker" stlye Fire Helmet during his visit to the Museum on the 9th April. Major Kirkland was the reviewing officer for the passout parade on that day.