The Eastern region will be making the 60 mile journey from the outskirts of Wisbech to RAF Harrington, near Kettering to visit the former home of the legendary ‘Carpet Baggers’, so if you like a little wartime cloak and dagger intrigue, this might just fit the bill.
History
The Carpetbagger Aviation Museum was formed in 1993 for the 50th Anniversary reunion of the USAAF’s 801st / 492nd Bomb Group (The Carpetbaggers) at Harrington. It is housed in the Group Operations Building on the Administration Site of the former Station 179 airfield at Harrington, Northamptonshire, England.
Displays and exhibits within the museum depict the history of the airfield and vividly show the work carried out by the 801st (Provisional) / 492nd Bombardment Group, especially during ‘Operation Carpetbagger’ and the secret missions to deliver agents and supplies to resistance groups in Occupied Europe during the Second World War
Other exhibits and displays include the secret work of the British Special Operations Executive from their RAF base at Tempsford as well as the cold war roles of the airfield at Harrington with the ‘Thor’ Nuclear Missiles.
Full Details:
Day / Date: Sunday 05th April 2026
Meeting Point: Starbucks, A47, Wisbech By-Pass, PE14 7BF
Meeting Time: 09.45
Departing: 10.00
Route Instructions: Yes, (available at the intial rendezvous)
Venue: Harrington Aviation Museum, Sunnyvale Farm, Lamport Road, Harrington, NN6 9PF
Arrival Time: 11.45 to 12.00 (depending on traffic).
Entry Fee: £7 per person
Facilities: Disabled - Wheelchair Access / Toilets / Cafeteria ‘light refreshments’ / picnic site.
Brochure Download Link:
https://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/135513-Carpetbagger-Museum-Leaflet-2024.pdf)
Given the Museum is location, just off the A14 (J3), If you are driving from the Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon area and unable to make the initial rendezvous point near Wisbech, you may be able to arrange a rendezvous and drive from your area and meet us at Harrington. If that is not convenient we can arrane a meeting point en-route, either way, please let us know and we will determine the most convenient course of action.
Look forward to seeing you on Sunday 5th April 26
Barry and Andrew
- Mark P
- Mark and Susan
- Kevin and Tamsin
- Peter Moss
- Peter Midgely
- Barry G
- Richard and Mandy
- Tim and Sue
- Steve and Sue
- Barry G
- Gary Mond
- Jeff T-H
- John and Anne
- Andy and Jo
- Bob and Tracy C
- Tony and Helen
- Paul Mansfield
