ROYAL AIR FORCE/BRITISH BERLIN AIRLIFT ASSOCIATION HERITAGE MUSEUM

This museum was the brainchild of the curator Jack Steele and deals with the Royal Air Force and the Berlin Airlift.  It remembers the way that RAF station Burtonwood played a major part in the repairs and servicing of aircraft of the American Air Force. The Burtonwood Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association members have played a major part in the formation and continued building of the Museum.

RAF Burtonwood began its life in 1938 as construction began.   Finally on 1st April 1940 it became the home of 37 MU (Maintenance Unit) part of 41 Group of Maintenance Command.  It remained the home of 37 MU even when the station was let out to the American Forces.

It was on 11th June 1942 that the first American units arrived to begin work at full stretch on the maintenance and modification of American aircraft.  But even so it still had to have an RAF Officer as the commander and the American Forces were the Tenants, even though on almost all occasions the American Commander was of senior rank.  The Americans always had to seek permission from the RAF Officer.

After many different occupations by the RAF and American forces at different times the base finally returned to MoD RAF control.  Following the formal closure by the US Army on the 2nd June 1993 it was sold off to the New Town Development Corporation who in turn passed it over to Warrington Borough Council who then began negotiations to sell it to developers.

It was during this time that the Heritage Association was formed to keep alive the memory of Royal Air Force Burtonwood and The British Berlin Airlift.  Jack Steele who was stationed in Germany during the Berlin Airlift began building the Museum assisted by members of the Burtonwood RAFA.  News spread fast about the impending museum which brought many offers of various items from many parts of the country.  The Heritage Museum now has many exhibits and stories of former RAF members remembering their times in the RAF and whilst stationed at Burtonwood.  These memories have proved very interesting to visitors to the museum and it has even been mentioned that they should be collated into a book.

Jack Steele has given lectures to schools and cadet units because we feel that the youngsters of today learn about the rigours of yesterday and what their elders went through so that this island could remain free.

The Burtonwood Branch of the RAFA meets at 8pm on the first Thursday of every month at Penketh and Sankey Royal British Legion, Greystone Road, Penketh.  For  further details contact:

Chairman - Mike Healy on 01928 567254

Secretary and Curator - Jack Steele on 01744 814551

Jack Steele