Volunteers in England have organized to establish the 384th Bombardment Group Museum on the grounds of the original Grafton Underwood Airfield. They have determined that, of the few remaining structures on the field, the Operations Block building provides the best starting nexus for their their Museum. Much will need to be done to make it structurally sound and secure for adding artifacts and displays, but with the diverse skills, backgrounds, and energy of the volunteers - and with the support of the 384th Bomb Group, Inc. and others - they will accomplish their goal, to
This is the original layout of the Ops Block Area at Grafton Underwood Airfield, which the volunteers refer to as the "Site". North is at the top in this view.
This is the plan for developing the Ops Block Area at Grafton Underwood Airfield. North is to the upper left in this view.
The initial phase of development will commence with the purchase and securing the buildings on the Museum site. This will be followed by rehabilitation of the Ops Block building, installing utilities, construction and fitting out of the Group offices Nissen Hut as a Visitor Center and Museum offices, as well as creation of a car park.
Later phases envision construction of a second Nissen Hut in the space identified as the "S-2 (INTEL) BUILDING" and fitting it out as display and work space, while the remaining Nissen Hut locations will be considered for future development.
A distant view to the north-northwest of the Operations Block (Nissen huts obscure most of it). The Nissen huts in the foreground house the Station H.Q. Offices.
The Ops Block in October 2022 with 70+ years of forest growth cleared away. Photo taken from the Station H.Q. offices Nissen hut foundation.
A closer view, with a slightly more Northwesterly view direction.
The Nissen hut housing Station H.Q. offices was located on the near foundation, and the farther foundation is the base of the Nissen hut which was used for the Finance Office, and others.
A close-up view in the Northeasterly direction.
A close-up view in the northeasterly direction of the Nissen hut foundations, showing the bicycle racks (slots in the concrete). Note the corner of the Ops Block at left and the Norden Bombsight Bulding in the distance.
About $47,000 will be required for the initial purchase of buildings, plus a bit more for legal and administrative fees, security, insurance, etc. This is just the essential first step in establishing the Museum. Our contributions and pledges are needed NOW to enable the purchase of the buildings, and to plan future steps for creating this Museum.
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This section revised on 21 February 2022.
Staff of the 384th Bomb Group website, and the Board of Directors of the 384th Bomb Group, Inc., are grateful to the volunteers and Trustees (Keith Andrews, Neill Howarth, and Matt Smith) of the 384th Bombardment Group Museum, and dedication to, preserving the legacy of the 384th Bombardment Group. Their unflagging support of the 384th is helping to ... The Staff of the 384th Bomb Group website and the Board of Directors of the 384th Bomb Group, Inc., express our gratitude to the Trustees of the 384th Bombardment Group Museum, Keith Andrews, Neill Howarth, and Matt Smith, as well as all the Museum volunteers their keen interest in, and dedication to, preserving the heritage of the 384th Bombardment Group. Their unflagging support of the 384th is helping to ...