RAF Scampton originally referred to as "Squadron X", was formed at Scampton in order to carry out the proposed raid, codenamed Operation Chastise. More commonly referred to as the "Dambusters Raid", the raid would go down as the most famous and widely remembered in the history of the Royal Air Force. On the night of 16–17 May 1943, 617 Sqn despatched 19 Lancasters from Scampton. Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the main bulk of the squadron attacked the Sorpe, Eder and Möhne dams with an additional aircraft tasked to perform an attack on the Schwelm Dam. Both the Eder and Möhne
RAF Scampton and displaying several hundred artefacts including a Blue Steel Missile. More ambitious plans were put forward in 2013 to turn part of RAF Scampton into a major tourist attraction. This project is being driven by Lincolnshire County Council. It has been estimated that the total investment required for the complete plan would be £80 million, of that total £40 million would be required to complete the first phase, which concerns two hangars and the exhibition hall. Such amounts will therefore be requiring substantial monetary grants from the UK National Lottery in order for it to succeed. The plans would convert