Four years after it took off, an RAF heritage centre is preparing for its final open day in its first home.

The RAF Suclthorpe Heritage Centre in Wicken Green will host an open day on November 5, ahead of its move to the airfield’s former chapel in 2024.

Ian Brown, curator, started the centre in August 2019, and over the years has grown not only his collection of historic relics but relationships with remaining airforce personnel.

Fakenham & Wells Times: The displays at RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre ahead of its opening in 2019The displays at RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre ahead of its opening in 2019 (Image: Ian Brown)“I’m looking forward to celebrating this space which has become so important in our history,” Mr Brown said.

“This is the end of part one, which started as a hobby and interest of mine, and I never expected it to turn into something like this.

“I always thought it would be interesting but never on this level, this year we are expecting to go over five thousand visitors, up an extra 500 people from last year.”

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

There will be squadrons from both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath there for the heritage day, and hopes of an appearance by an as-yet-unnamed celebrity guest. 

Personnel from RAF Mildenhall will take the old base sign from the museum to the chapel at the end of the day.

Work on the chapel is ahead of schedule, and it is scheduled to open in early 2024.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Voluntters at RAF Sculthorpe Hertiage Cnetre began cleaning up Wicken Green chapel as they prepare to make it their new home Voluntters at RAF Sculthorpe Hertiage Cnetre began cleaning up Wicken Green chapel as they prepare to make it their new home (Image: RSHC)“We are on track when renovating our new home, and thanks to support from local businesses it is tailor-made for us,” Mr Brown added.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do, we are ahead of where we want to be, still a few more jobs to do, such as moving a one-and-a-half-ton jet engine across, which should be good fun.”

Fakenham & Wells Times: Inside the original airfield chapel, which is set to become RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre (RSHC) new home in 2024Inside the original airfield chapel, which is set to become RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre (RSHC) new home in 2024 (Image: RSHC)