July 24, 2018 8.50 am This story is over 68 months old

Home of the Red Arrows ‘under threat’

Will the Red Arrows be moved from Lincolnshire?

RAF Scampton north of Lincoln, home of the Red Arrows and the launch base of the Dambusters in World War II, is reportedly under threat of closure.

The Ministry of Defence will sell the site as part of efforts to save £3 billion by 2040 and reduce its estates in Britain, The Times has reported.

LATEST: MOD confirms RAF Scampton will be sold off

Any shock sale would come just five years after a £6 million upgrade of the site.

Sources are said to have suggested the scrapping of the base and runway would be completed by 2022. It’s not clear where the Red Arrows would be based after and if this eventuality materialises.

It’s been reported that the cost of maintaining the site is ‘no longer sustainable’.

Also allegedly in line for the chop is RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire, one of 91 sites owned by the MOD supposedly going up for sale.

The MOD is expected to make an announcement later this morning to set out plans to reduce the defence estate by 30%. 

The news comes along with the added resignation of Paul Sall, director of the Scampton Airshow.

Organisers cancelled the 2018 event after the inaugural show made a loss, but told supporters the intention was to hold a show again in 2019.

It looks like this is becoming less likely.