Realising that the Bottisham Airfield Museum was only a small detour on my way home yesterday was an opportunity too good to miss especially as it only opens on Sundays!
Bottisham Airfield was opened in 1940 and after some initial use by Tiger Moths it was home to Army Co-opeartion Command Lysanders, Tomahawks and MkI Mustangs until 1942. A number of RAF squadrons then used the field until it was handed to the USAAF in November 1943 under the auspices of the 8th Air Force 361st Fighter Group.
Initially equipped with the P-47 Thunderbolt the group converted to the P-51 Mustang in May 1944 but only had a short service life. The first combat mission was flown in January 1944 and at the end of September the 361st moved to Little Walden, mainly as there were better facilities and concrete runways - Bottisham only ever being grass with PSP.
Back in RAF hands the airfield had little further use and closed for good in January 1946.
A line of trees today marks the PSP runway and the last surviving original buildings have been turned in to a small museum dedicated to the history of Bottisham Airfield and the Home Front as it affected the local area. Parked outside of the museum is a replica P-51 Mustang which was put on display this summer. I understand that it came from Duxford and I assume therefore that this is the former Big Beautiful Doll that used to hang in the American Air Museum there.
The museum is still being developed with some further areas that could come in to use but it is still worthy of an hour to look around.
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I remember reading of the fanfare of the P-51replica. The brick building with green the green door is such an odd size. Any idea what it was for? Marcus
ReplyDeleteHi Marcus, it's listed as an Aircrew Sleeping Shelter, currently not open to the public
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