About Us

Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre

Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre is a volunteer run, accredited museum dedicated to preserving the memory of RAF Metheringham and the men and women that served with 106 Squadron. The visitor centre tells their story through displays, information and artefacts that relate to the aircrew and ground staff who flew with and supported 106 Squadron throughout WW2 and especially during its time at RAF Metheringham.

The visitor centre is staffed by a team of dedicated, knowledgeable and welcoming volunteers. They are on hand to help you make the most of your visit.

When you need a break, we have an onsite café serving hot and cold drinks and snacks as well as a shop. Our shop offers an extensive range of books and gifts related to the famous ‘Bomber County’ and the units that operated in and around Metheringham.

The site consists of a number of original wartime buildings as well as a newly constructed Hangar. There is a shop / reception area and café area in the Peter Scoley Hall.

After arriving in our free car park, you will be welcomed by our friendly volunteers who will direct you to the shop. Once you have paid your admission fee you can either browse the site for yourself or ask a volunteer steward to tell you more about what you can see on your visit.

Start your visit in the former wartime Ration Store. This has been converted into the museum’s main display rooms. The theme is to "Put Yourself in Their Shoes". One side of the Ration Store is now the Zena Scoley Room. Here you will learn about the history of RAF Metheringham from its creation in 1942 through to its closure as an active RAF station and beyond. There is a large diorama that shows how the airfield was laid out in 1943. There are also many exhibits that show what it was like to live and work on a WW2 RAF base as well as displays of WW2 RAF equipment ranging from aircraft parts through to escape and evasion survival equipment as used by RAF personnel.

In the adjacent Carey Powell Room, is the ‘Ditching Display’ where we show our rare dinghy and ‘Ditching in the Sea‘ artefacts. You can also visit the seven individual crew positions to learn about the equipment and training involved to operate the legendary Avro Lancaster Bomber during World War Two. Opposite the Carey Powell room, a more recent building houses the reception centre and shop.

The hangar has a static display Douglas C47 "Dakota" (KG651 ) aircraft. Our team of engineers have restored her to her present condition and a full repaint of the aircraft was completed in 2023. Our Dakota is unique in the UK in that you can actually go inside the whole aircraft, including the cockpit. Access to the aircraft is via steps. See our accessibility page for more information.

The hangar also houses a range of associated artefacts all relating to the story of RAF Metheringham and the C47 Dakotas that flew in Lincolnshire. Not only is there the opportunity to access the inside of the aircraft but you can also walk around the entire hangar and enjoy the exhibits, some of which are new for this season:

a 1943 Willys Jeep, finished in US colour scheme (101st Airborne)
a Welbike and replica Canister (these were dropped with Paratroops on D-Day) [Image Hangar Welbike and Canister]
a replica ‘upkeep’ bomb on a restored D Type bomb trolley
a large-scale model of a Horsa Glider
a view of the 1944 RAF Metheringham airfield is also now a feature of any visit especially when experienced from the C47 Dakota cockpit.
life size image of a Waco CG-4A Hadrian glider set on the hangar wall behind the Dakota (New for 2025)

Our largest wartime building, the Peter Scoley Hall, is the former gymnasium at RAF Metheringham (which originally doubled as a C of E Church) and this is used for display of the larger artefacts and for gatherings such as our well attended lectures, Squadron reunions and other events.

When you visit the Peter Scoley Hall you will see a quarter scale ex-flying model Lancaster Bomber (possibly the largest in the world at twenty-five and a half feet wingspan!) which forms the centre piece of the gymnasium displays and has been painted with the insignia of two famous 106 aircraft. On display is also a static but restored Link Trainer, the Food for Thought Exhibition and Wing Tip of a 106 Squadron Lancaster aircraft. A poignant display of model Lancaster Bombers marked with each of those aircraft lost by 106 Squadron whilst at RAF Metheringham.

The visitor centre’s café ‘CoffeeStall’ (the call sign for RAF Metheringham) is situated within the Peter Scoley Hall and is open depending on volunteer availability. Refreshments can also be obtained from the Reception/Shop.

As the Peter Scoley Hall is so large it is also available for hire, and it makes a fantastic venue for weddings, parties, meetings and club rallies. See our Groups and Venue page.

An annexe to the Peter Scoley Hall, once the Roman Catholic Church, is now The Memorial Room where we have our book of remembrance along with many paintings and photographs relating to RAF Metheringham and 106 Squadron. A range of displays of items from former 106 Squadron crews are shown here. A audio recording of the names of those aircraft that were lost plays as you enter the room. It is also a place for contemplation.

You can also reflect on those thoughts in our Memorial Garden. Tended by volunteers it has a range of plaques dedicated by the families of those who served with 106 Squadron. A number of memorials are located in the garden, and this helps us to remember all who served.

The wartime Ration Store, Gymnasium, our separate Blast Shelter and Stanton Shelter will take you back to 1945. You really will get a feel of what it would be like to walk in their shoes!

We look forward to welcoming you on your visit.