| Binbrook was open between 1940-1995 and is located about a mile North-West of the village, some 10 miles North-East of Market Rasen.
It started life as a bomber airfield, but post WW2 became a jet fighter station and is most famous for being "home" to the British made "Lightning" aircraft. The base was mothballed in 1989, when the Lightning was finally withdrawn from service but stayed open as a releif landing ground for Scampton until 1995, when the site was finally disposed of. Today, the former technical site is now a buisiness park. However, many of the unused buildings have been left to decay, and some are in a very dilapidated state. The control tower was demolished in 1995 when the site was sold, but the hangers still remain and are being used as storage. However, it seems little effort has been given to maintaining these and the exteriors are showing signs of wear. The former airfield has since reverted to agriculture, and many portions of the runway and perimiter track have been broken up for use as hardcore. A memorial to the old station was put up in front of the old 'ident' square, next to where the control tower once stood. However, since these pictures were taken in 2005, it appears to be no longer accessable as the surrounding area has been fenced off for use as a storage compound which Binbrook Lightning Preservation society use. There is also a memorial just outside of Binbrook village centre, and another, the fin of a Lightning, in the grounds of the nearby primary school. Trivia buffs may wish to note, portions of the film "Memphis Belle" were shot here in the late 80's whilst the camp was being wound down by the MOD. Please note that the industrial estate on the former tech site is privately owned and strictly speaking not open to the general public, unless you're there on official buisiness. |
Former main entrance, with guardroom on the right 535x400 |
Buisiness park directory 535x400 |
Former guardroom. 535x400 |
Station HQ 700x525 |
I believe these old huts were the ones used in the film "Memphisse Belle". 700x525 |
More old Nissen huts, looking worse for wear. 535x400 |
Nissen huts and former "Lighting Simulator" building. 535x400 |
Surviving buildings 535x400 |
Water tower 535x400 |
Surviving buildings 535x400 |
Surviving buildings 535x400 |
Air raid shelter behind the old Head Quarters 535x400 |
Inside the old shelter (sack the cleaners) 535x400 |
View of shelter entrance with old chemical toilet by the door (aint takin' no crap) 535x400 |
Entrance to airfield hangers 535x400 |
C type hangers 535x400 |
Binbrook's last surviving lightning 535x400 |
RAF 5th squadron badge on hanger (looks like a Canadian flag?) 535x400 |
Hardstanding where the control tower once stood 535x400 |
Memorial in front of 'ident' square, to the left of where the tower once stood 535x400 |
Close up of station memorial 535x400 |
Another view of former control tower hardstandings 535x400 |
View accross the old airfield looking north, surviving peritrack to the left of photo 535x400 |
surviving buildings on the west side of the airfield, now used a farm storage 535x400 |
