FGR.2 Phantom ready for display at the Bentwaters Cold War Museum open day this Sunday, why not celebrate Fathers Day by treating Dad to a trip to look at big boys toys. Displays include flying displays from The Grace Spitfre, Yak-3 and RAF Search and Rescue Sea King from Wattisham.

Another confirmed addition to the flying display is Mark Davey and his Bentwaters-based Yak-3M.

On static display on June 16th will be McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2, XV497. This aircraft flew the last operational sortie by a RAF Phantom on 31st October 1992.

The BCWM Open Day will be held on June 16th 2013 – make sure you are free on that day and drop in to see us!

We will be open between 10AM and 5PM

There will be a fly in from several Ryan Navion aircraft, as well as a visit from the RAF Wattisham Search and Rescue Seaking, and a flying display from ML407 – The Grace Spitfire – a sight not to be missed…

On the day apart from the Museum being open, there will also be a meeting of the Mini Car club, lots of Military vehicles, Fire Engines(including some for kids to sit in). The local Police are bringing their new All Terrain Vehicle,  and there will also be a visit from couple of classic vehicles.

Stalls on site include The Framlingham Bowmen (Archery for kids) and  lots of other traders selling items from military clothing to Indian Chutneys!

Younger kids will like the balloon maker who will be walking around the event making fun shaped balloons all day.

The ever popular bus tours of RAF Bentwaters will also be running again this year, so make sure you get your ticket to avoid disappointment. Tickets for the tour are £3 per person, and worth every penny for the opportunity of seeing parts of RAF Bentwaters that are usually off limits to the public.

Admission is £5,  and children under 14 go FREE!! Regrettably there are no concessions.

Following on from last year’s runners-up position in the Suffolk Museum of the Year competition, we have entered again this year. Voting slips will be available at the Museum from May 19th. Entries have to be in by 24th August. Unfortunately there is no on-line voting. The only way you can do so is either to visit the museum or a voting slip can be emailed to you if you send a message to info@bcwm.org.uk. Thank you for your support.

The latest exhibit at the BCWM was on the move today (Saturday March 30th), being put in to position outside the Museum. Here’s a few shots of her on the move for you.

With all of the excitement of the new season approaching, a discovery was made over the Winter at the airbase. Buried within Rendlesham Forest on the perimeter of the airbase, an unusual looking creature was found. Video footage has been sent off for verification, and skin analysis has been taken to determine it’s origins. Although video verification would tell us very little at present, this is a good start before forensic analysis takes place on the creature later. The creature can be seen on display from the start of the season for a short time only, so that both the public, and experts, can decide for themselves what it is! (Photo: Simon Parker)

One of this years new exhibits is the Support Squadron Display.since we have been open to the public we have had lots of information on the flying squadrons, but little information for the squadrons that kept the Wing flying.

New display material has been loaned/donated by ex service personnel, and with help from the Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell AFB, we have put together information boards from most of the squadrons that supported the 81st TFW during their time at RAF Bentwaters. This includes information on Civil Engineering, PSA, Equipment Maintenance, Aircraft Generation, Component Repair, and Supply & Transportation to name but a few.We have also added more to the airshow section as well as the POL section, and a new display on the Sports & Leisuresections from both Bentwaters and Woodbridge.

One of our staff members, Bob Hale ex-USAF, has been recruited as the POW Co-ordinator for Europe and is keen to honour those members of the armed forces who are missing. This table is symbolic and used across the military. This exhibit is particularly important to all those who have served, or are still serving in the armed forces. You may notice this small table here in a place of honour. It is set for one. This table is the way of symbolizing that members of the profession of arms are missing. They are commonly call P.O.W.’s or M.I.A.’s – those in the profession call them brothers.

They are unable to be with us and so we remember them.

This table set for one is small… it symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner against his oppressors.

The table cloth is white… it symbolizes the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.

The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades in arms who keep faith awaiting their return.

The red ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn on the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting for our missing.

A slice of lemon is on the bread plate… to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt upon the bread plate… symbolic of the family’s tears as they wait.

The glass is inverted… they cannot toast with us tonight.

The chair is empty… they are not here.

Remember… all of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended on their might and aid, and relied on them… for surely… they have not forsaken you.

The museum is based in the former USAF hardened Command Post on the former Bentwaters airfield. This is the only such building open to the public in the UK and Europe. The main “War Operations Room” and “Battle Cabin” have been restored to original condition. The BT Frame Room, and Decontamination Showers and Airlock are also as original. Other rooms within the building have been turned into exhibition rooms, covering the history of RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge from W.W.II until the bases closed in 1993. Included in this are histories of the units that operated from the airfield, particularly the 81st Fighter Wing.

Open 1st & 3rd Sundays and Bank Holiday Sundays & Mondays.
£5 Adults. £4 Concessions. Children FREE