RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre closes doors at first home

After four years and around 14,000 guests, an RAF heritage centre has closed its doors on its first home.

Work on moving items out of the RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre has now started, ahead of a planned reopening inside a former airfield chapel next year.

Ian Brown (right), founder and curator of RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre, moving the base sign into its new home at the airfield's former chapel (Image: RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre)

Ian Brown, its founder and curator, said the centre had been on a "remarkable journey" since it opened in 2019.

Mr Brown said: "What we have done is pretty remarkable.

"We had Bargain Hunt, the Queen’s visit, other TV opportunities, magazine, and I think we had around 14,000 people visit us in the short time.

Ian Brown, who runs RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre (RSHC), said he was humbled and honoured after taking the Queen on a personal guided tour back in 2022 (Image: RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre)

“We are very pleased with our reaction and reception and now I’m looking ahead to the next chapter in the new building.”

Mr Brown said he hoped to host an official opening event for the new centre at the end of April. 

The Queen visited the centre on February 7, 2022 on a private visit.

She was introduced to volunteer staff and explored the relics of the former airbase, most of which relate to its occupancy by the United States Air Force, 47th Bombardment Wing.

Mildenhall Honour Guard, which assisted the RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre with moving the base sign (Image: RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre)