447th Bombardment Group Heritage Gallery - Rattlesden

06/08/2025

17/07/2025

Last year was all about securing the future of Rattlesden Tower as a weather tight and functional clubhouse for Rattlesden Gliding Club. It was also about returning this historic building back to more of a WW2 appearance, and become a fitting home for the 447th Bombardment Group Heritage Gallery. This year has been about the finishing touches. Mission accomplished!

29/10/2024

Earlier this year, Alan & Nathan from Rattlesden Gliding Club and Chris from the 447th Bomb Group Association UK embarked on the mammoth DIY task of restoring the exterior of the former Control Tower at Rattlesden, which has been used as the club house since the 1970’s, and is home to our 447th Bombardment Group Heritage Gallery. Time and british weather had taken its toll on this historic building, and it became in much need of some care and attention to secure its future. Large patches of render had blown from the brick work causing unsightly appearance and water ingress into the building. Countless hours have been spent pulling off the old, applying the new, and sealing with a high build undercoat, before we applied the finish coat of Olive Drab as a respectful nod to the WW2 heritage of the building. So here she is in her new glory, still a few smaller jobs to do, but they will have to wait until the springtime now. I’d like to take the opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to all who donated to our Just Giving page since its inception. The materials cost a chunk of money, and without your support we wouldn’t have been able to achieve the results we’ve been able to achieve in the preservation of this important building.

20/09/2024

For 40 years the UK Association have welcomed back the men of the 447th Bombardment Group to our biennial reunion at Station 126, Rattlesden. Although the days of 50 or more Veterans making the pilgrimage back to their wartime home have sadly passed, we should not let time dim the glory of their deeds.

It is up to the next generations to answer the call, and continue to support the remembrance of their legacy. During June 2025 we would like to host another weekend of remembrance, nostalgia and celebration, in what will be the 80th anniversary year of Victory In Europe and the end of WW2. We need the support of YOU, their Sons, Daughters, Grandchildren, Nephews, Nieces etc, to continue their tradition of camaraderie and remembrance.

If you think there is a strong chance you will be able to make your way across the pond in June next year and help make this important get together continue to happen, please email your interest and potential number of people in your party to Chris French at [email protected]

26/08/2024

And that’s a wrap for the 2024 Rattlesden Gliding Club and 447th Bombardment Group Heritage Gallery - Rattlesden Open Day. The Control Tower/Club House looked resplendent in its new heritage appearance surrounded by WW2 military vehicles. Several hundred people visited us throughout the day, thank you to everyone who attended to make the day an enjoyable success!

24/08/2024

RUNWAY FUNDRAISER
Rattlesden Gliding Club have been flying from the original WWII runway since its inception in 1976. This essential piece of heritage infrastructure is in urgent need of repair and the club needs to raise £60,000 as soon as possible.

We are a small club with limited funds and desperately need financial support to fund the materials to enable some of the repairs. Once this goal is reached it will be “all hands on deck!” with club members pitching in to complete the works.

Please take a look at our poster and follow the link to donate as much as you can. Your kind generosity will help us preserve this historic piece of infrastructure for future generations of history buffs and glider pilots alike.

Thank you!

https://www.rattlesdengliding.com/donate

15/08/2024

Following months of repair work to the exterior of the former Control Tower at Rattlesden, we have now reached the point we’ve been working towards. This week we have been applying the finish coat of olive drab as a respectful nod to the buildings heritage, the reason it was built, and what it still stands for 80+ years later. This iconic building serves as the club house to the current aviators at Rattlesden Gliding Club who still see that flying continues from the airfield. And of course is home to the 447th Bombardment Group Heritage Gallery where people can learn of the heroism, sacrifices and magnitude of what happened in this quiet corner of Suffolk all those years ago. Still lots to do, but here’s how we’ve got on so far, turn on your sound and enjoy!

18/07/2024

Yesterday evening I had the privilege to give a presentation to the Rattlesden Local History Group who visited the 447th Bombardment Group Heritage Gallery at Rattlesden Gliding Club. 40-50 people attended and seemingly enjoyed the evening in the Control Tower, where I gave a short introduction followed by a 20 minute picture/video/music film. The group then explored the Heritage Gallery room, and many enjoyed the warm summers evening taking in the airfield atmosphere from the balcony.

This was the first event we’ve held like it. The attendance, interest and gratitude last night I found quite overwhelming. It took a couple of hours for the heart rate to come down when I got home! I think many people went away quite in awe, humbled, having learned a lot and wanting to know more, so mission accomplished I’d say. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported to make the evening a success - Chris

21/06/2024

During March, Alan and Nathan from Rattlesden Gliding Club embarked on the mammoth DIY task of restoring the exterior of the former Control Tower at Rattlesden, which has been used as the club house since the 1970’s, and which is now also home to our 447th Bombardment Group Heritage Gallery. Time and British weather have taken their toll on this historic building, and it became in much need of some care and attention to secure its future. Large patches of render had blown from the brick work causing unsightly appearance and water ingress into the building. So far, many hours have been spent pulling off the old and applying the new, and then Chris from the 447th Bomb Group Association UK - Rattlesden has covered up all of Alan and Nathan’s hard work with a coat of Jontex, a high build paint undercoat which seals the new surface and gives a high level of protection from the elements going forward. The project is progressing well with the front elevation complete and ready for the finish coat of paint. The other 3 sides are well under way, most of the old render is removed and ready for the new to be applied, so fingers crossed the weather over the next couple of months will allow us to get closer to the finished result. The building has been painted several colours over the years, currently sky blue, it was once pink! I’m pleased to say that when the repair work is complete, we will be painting it back to a more historical olive green as a respectful nod to the WW2 era. Heres a picture showing the repaired front elevation (along with our Dutch re-enactment friends) and a few images taken before work had commenced.

08/06/2024

Yesterday we were visited by Nico, Bert, Saskia, Chris, Evert and Rob from the Netherlands. They had spent the week touring around East Anglia visiting many 8thAF airfields in their two Willys Jeeps, and dressed in full period attire! After viewing the 447th Bombardment Group Heritage Gallery, we went out to the runway where they were able to play with some more modern equipment courtesy of Rattlesden Gliding Club!

18/05/2024

We are planning to have some open days of the 447th Bombardment Group Heritage Gallery at Rattlesden during the summer this year, but are currently assisting Rattlesden Gliding Club with the exterior renovation of the former Control Tower in which it is located, and yes it will be painted back to a more historical colour when complete! The project is moving along nicely, but there’s still lots of time consuming work ahead for the team who are working on it. When we near completion, the dates and booking information for the planned open days will be announced on this page. Thank you for your support and cooperation!