10 Ton Tess
The largest non nuclear weapon of WW2 known as the "Grand Slam" bomb was proudly placed on display in front of RAF Scampton’s main gate. For over 15 years, it remained front and center for all to see as they passed through the base main entrance.
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A full sixty seasons passed since the Earthquake bomb was first placed at the front gate, much to the horror and disbelief of the now terrified workers tasked with moving the bomb due to roadwork upgrades, it was discovered to be still fully packed with 10 tons of explosives.
Where children climbed and sat on top of the bomb and played around them, and families took pictures and had picnics, year after year, never imagining that they were toying in close proximity to the world's largest non-nuclear bomb...all 22 thousand pounds of her.
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The Grand Slam also known as "Ten Ton Tess" was a 22,000 lb earthquake bomb used by RAF Bomber Command against strategic targets during the Second World War. It was the most powerful non-atomic bomb used in the entire war, by either side.
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Although many articles have been written about this incident, most fail to mention that the bomb was in fact "live" but not armed. The bomb would have only been armed prior to loading on a Lancaster. Although less likely to detonate unexpectedly, it is not advisable to place 10 tons of explosives on public display.
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Had the Grand Slam 22 thousand pound bomb guarding the gate at RAF Scampton, better known as "10 ton Tess" chosen to commence a self-executed rapid kinetic disassembly... the entire Royal Air Force base , as well as most of the northern part of the City of Lincolnshire, would have been destroyed.
Thankfully, during her 60 seasons quietly serving as the RAF base gate guard..."Ten Ton Tess" kept her peace.
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" the entire Royal Air Force base , as well as most of the northern part of the City of Lincoln, would have been destroyed"
What a load of twaddle.
Even if this whole story were true you’d need a nuclear warhead the size of the Tzar Bomb to come anywhere near that level of destruction.
The story of a live Grand Slam bomb being displayed as a gate guard at RAF Scampton for 15 years is most likely an urban myth or fake news. While the tale has circulated for decades in aviation heritage circles, there is no official record or concrete evidence to support its authenticity.
The myth typically claims that in 1958, when Lincolnshire County Council planned to widen the road past RAF Scampton’s main gate, they discovered that one of the Grand Slam bombs on display was actually live. However, investigations by historical experts have failed to verify this claim.
Key points that suggest this story is likely a myth:
No official records: Exhaustive investigations have not uncovered any documentation from 1944, 1945, or 1946 that would explain how a live bomb became a gate guard.
Safety concerns: It is highly improbable that RAF Scampton would have placed a live 22,000 lb bomb in such a public location, given the catastrophic consequences if it were to detonate.
Lack of verification: Despite the story’s popularity, no one has been able to provide definitive proof of its occurrence.
Inconsistencies in the narrative: Different versions of the story exist, with some claiming the bomb was detonated in the Wash, while others say it was taken to Shoeburyness in Essex.
While RAF Scampton did indeed have historical displays and memorabilia, including inert Grandslam bombs, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that a live bomb was inadvertently used as a gate guard for 15 years. This story appears to be a fascinating but unverified tale that has become part of RAF Scampton’s folklore.
“The chances of detonation without the fuses would be zero.”
Sorry, but that is not correct, over time the explosive filling can breakdown, leading to “Exudation” or “Crystallisation” of the compound, both of which are EXTREMELY unstable. There are examples of bombs in this condition going off just by being bumped.
Just ask the guys at Bien Hoa Air Base where in 1965 this condition is suspected to be the cause of an explosion so devastating it resulted in the loss of 40 aircraft and 28 lives . . . oh, wait, you can’t.
Baz
Armourer RAAF (Retired)
As the explosive filling was molten when poured into the bomb and then left for a week or two to solidify.
a) It would be difficult to remove the filling.
b) The chances of detonation without the fuses would be zero.
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