What
The Bentwaters Cold War Museum follows the history of RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge from the second world war through to when the United States Air Force (USAF) withdrew from both bases in 1993.
It is housed in a bomb-proof command post, which the USAF used from 1951 onwards. It is the only such building open to the public in the UK.
The base made the news when a UFO was reported to have crash-landed nearby in Rendlesham Forest on 26 December 1980. “The UFO is thought to have been a prank played by USAF personnel at Woodbridge,” says Bentwaters’ museum manager Graham Haynes.
“It’s said that the UFO was an Apollo landing capsule covered in Christmas lights and dangled from a helicopter.”
Opened
2007.
Collection
Objects relating to the history of the two RAF stations, the 81st Fighter Wing and the cold war, plus a large collection of artefacts, books and aircraft. “Attractions include a war operations room, battle cabin and decontamination facilities,” says Haynes, an NHS estate manager and former RAF engineer.
There are also 10 exhibition rooms with models, uniforms, photographs and memorabilia covering the history of the Bentwaters/Woodbridge complex. The command post was last used in the 1991 Gulf war.
Help at hand
Eight volunteer/trustees share the day-to-day management of the museum; 12 volunteers (one of them a former USAF serviceman) help with restoration projects. There are no paid staff.
Budget
Income comes from memberships, admissions (£5 adults), donations and grants.
Highlights
“The fully restored operations room and aircraft,” says Haynes. Restoration and rebuilding of the Sepecat Jaguar and Hawker Hunter should be completed next year, followed by the English Electric Lightning.
Visitors
About 2,000 a year. The museum attracts extra people by opening during the closed season for group visits and staging an annual special event attended by 1,500 people.
Sticky moment
Acquiring former USAF military aircraft involves negotiating a minefield of governmental regulations.
It is very difficult for independent museums to meet the criteria for the National Museum of the US Air Force loan programme. There are also many health and safety considerations related to hazardous components in aircraft such as asbestos, guns, radioactive instruments, radiated alloys, and explosive systems such as ejection seats.
Survival tip
“Always make sure you have a healthy cash reserve to see you through the lean years,” says Haynes.
Current projects
The museum is restoring several planes with working electrical systems and, possibly, hydraulic systems. It is working towards Accreditation.
The Bentwaters Cold War Museum follows the history of RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge from the second world war through to when the United States Air Force (USAF) withdrew from both bases in 1993.
It is housed in a bomb-proof command post, which the USAF used from 1951 onwards. It is the only such building open to the public in the UK.
The base made the news when a UFO was reported to have crash-landed nearby in Rendlesham Forest on 26 December 1980. “The UFO is thought to have been a prank played by USAF personnel at Woodbridge,” says Bentwaters’ museum manager Graham Haynes.
“It’s said that the UFO was an Apollo landing capsule covered in Christmas lights and dangled from a helicopter.”
Opened
2007.
Collection
Objects relating to the history of the two RAF stations, the 81st Fighter Wing and the cold war, plus a large collection of artefacts, books and aircraft. “Attractions include a war operations room, battle cabin and decontamination facilities,” says Haynes, an NHS estate manager and former RAF engineer.
There are also 10 exhibition rooms with models, uniforms, photographs and memorabilia covering the history of the Bentwaters/Woodbridge complex. The command post was last used in the 1991 Gulf war.
Help at hand
Eight volunteer/trustees share the day-to-day management of the museum; 12 volunteers (one of them a former USAF serviceman) help with restoration projects. There are no paid staff.
Budget
Income comes from memberships, admissions (£5 adults), donations and grants.
Highlights
“The fully restored operations room and aircraft,” says Haynes. Restoration and rebuilding of the Sepecat Jaguar and Hawker Hunter should be completed next year, followed by the English Electric Lightning.
Visitors
About 2,000 a year. The museum attracts extra people by opening during the closed season for group visits and staging an annual special event attended by 1,500 people.
Sticky moment
Acquiring former USAF military aircraft involves negotiating a minefield of governmental regulations.
It is very difficult for independent museums to meet the criteria for the National Museum of the US Air Force loan programme. There are also many health and safety considerations related to hazardous components in aircraft such as asbestos, guns, radioactive instruments, radiated alloys, and explosive systems such as ejection seats.
Survival tip
“Always make sure you have a healthy cash reserve to see you through the lean years,” says Haynes.
Current projects
The museum is restoring several planes with working electrical systems and, possibly, hydraulic systems. It is working towards Accreditation.
