My father was based at Polebrook during the Cuban Missile Crisis. We lived in a caravan at North Luffenham. In the 1990s dad and I visited the old airfield and walked out from the memorial to the Thor missile pads. He recalled that when he was there most of the old WW2 buildings were still there and some still had their fittings. He also recalled that, for a while, the wreckage of a crashed Valiant (I THINK it was XD864 in 1960 but I can't be certain) was held in one of the hangars (he thought it was the J type) while an investigation was carried out.....as an RAF Policeman he was among those tasked with guarding the bits and pieces. He explained a lot about the missiles....it was 130 Squadron which operated them. Apparently the word was that, if the Thors had to launch everybody could try.....try being the operative word......to get home. With us being miles up the Great North Road it was unlikely he'd have made it. I was there a few months ago......just remembering; Dad died last year. PS...the Jimmy Stewart at Polebrook was a different Jimmy Stewart! Thanks so much for the video.... much appreciated 👍
My father was based at Polebrook during the Cuban Missile Crisis. We lived in a caravan at North Luffenham.
In the 1990s dad and I visited the old airfield and walked out from the memorial to the Thor missile pads.
He recalled that when he was there most of the old WW2 buildings were still there and some still had their fittings. He also recalled that, for a while, the wreckage of a crashed Valiant (I THINK it was XD864 in 1960 but I can't be certain) was held in one of the hangars (he thought it was the J type) while an investigation was carried out.....as an RAF Policeman he was among those tasked with guarding the bits and pieces.
He explained a lot about the missiles....it was 130 Squadron which operated them.
Apparently the word was that, if the Thors had to launch everybody could try.....try being the operative word......to get home. With us being miles up the Great North Road it was unlikely he'd have made it.
I was there a few months ago......just remembering; Dad died last year.
PS...the Jimmy Stewart at Polebrook was a different Jimmy Stewart!
Thanks so much for the video.... much appreciated 👍
Your very welcome, thanks very much for the information.
Very enjoyable read 👍