Aviation booklet | страница 21

The base was placed under control of Maintenance Command in June 1945 and many RAF Regiment units transited through Folkingham whilst being disbanded. At this time the base was under the control of RAF Belton Park. Brief spells followed as a Civil Defence training site and a motor racing test circuit. This site was most notably used by famous British Racing Motors (BRM). This was a British Formula One motor racing team that had its headquarters nearby; behind Eastgate House on the Spalding Road in Bourne. View across part of the former RAF Folkingham site. Wartime hangar and buildings at Folkingham In the late 1950s Folkingham became a Thor IRBM base, operating within the North Luffenham Missile Wing of 3 Group Bomber Command. Three missiles were located on the base between December 1959 and August 1963 and they were operated by 223 Squadron. The base eventually closed and large areas sold off in 1967. Much returned to agriculture, with some runway areas used for vehicle and transport storage. Parts of the site can be viewed from near the Forestry Commission Temple Wood site, looking across to the remains of the Thor missile bunkers. Interesting to note this peaceful rural location, close to traditional Lincolnshire villages, stone built cottages and significant landmarks like Grimsthorpe Castle is all just a few miles away from what was once a Cold War nuclear missile site! Nissen accommodation huts at Folkingham 21