The North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre (NLAHC) came into existence in September 2019 when a group of like minded volunteers decided that the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Trail needed to be extended to include North Lincolnshire. The Centre is situated on the former RAF Hibaldstow airfield, and has become a much needed local aviation and education museum with a memorial dedicated to all those allied countries whose airmen flew with the RAF, during WWII, from all the airfields within North Lincolnshire.
To date, the volunteers have cleared undergrowth and trees to reveal the concrete bases of the original WWII wooden huts. Two Nissen huts and two original WWII wooden huts have been erected on the bases by the volunteers, and the old sub-station is now a 5-star NAAFI café serving refreshments. There is an Anderson shelter situated within a ‘Dig for Victory’ garden. The site also boasts an underground Battle Headquarters too.
On 6th August 2022 the Vicar of Hibaldstow, Reverend David Eames, held a service of dedication for their memorial, which was unveiled by Holly Mumby-Croft MP and Kenneth Bannerman from the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust, who kindly donated the granite memorial to the Centre.
NLAHC opened to the public on 8th and 9th June 2024. The weekend was a tremendous success, with many visitors returning to view their exhibitions again and again. They have welcomed people from far afield including The Netherlands, the USA and Canada.
There has been a Remembrance Day service held on the site since 2021 and the services have been well attended by old and young alike.
The volunteers are continuing to expand the site with the construction of a toilet block which will feed into a ‘Klargester’ sewage system. Funds were obtained for these two projects from the North Lincolnshire UK Shared Prosperity Fund and SSE Sustainable Development Fund.
Schools and other educational establishments are most welcome to visit, large parties by appointment, to soak up the wonderful atmosphere the Centre has to offer.
The Centre will be reopening for 2025 on 6th April from 10.00am to 2.00pm. They’re then open every Thursday and Sunday at the same times.
This year the Centre will hold a VE Day celebration weekend on 3rd and 4th May – admission is free and well-behaved dogs are welcome. There will be military vehicles, stalls, a 40s singer, some terrific exhibitions and much more.
You can see weekly progress reports on NLAHC by looking at their Facebook page – North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre.