Specialist Aircraft Shrink Wrap – Heritage Jets at RAF Scampton
- EcoShrink
- Oct 29, 2025
- 3 min read
When historic RAF aircraft at RAF Scampton (former home of the Red Arrows) needed to be moved out of their hangars, they couldn’t be left exposed to the Lincolnshire weather. EcoShrink were asked to carry out specialist aircraft shrink wrap on a collection of vintage fast jets and bombers so they could be stored outside without risk to the airframes, paintwork or avionics.
Project Overview – Specialist Aircraft Shrink Wrap at RAF Scampton
With RAF Scampton closing and the site transitioning away from active RAF use, several high-value heritage aircraft needed to vacate their hangars. The airframes were to be moved onto external hardstanding areas while future plans for the site were agreed.
Our brief was simple but demanding:
Protect multi-million-pound historic aircraft against rain, dust and nesting birds
Work within a high-security environment with strict controls
Wrap uniquely shaped airframes of around 20–30 m in length, including full wings and tail fins
Deliver a neat, safe finish that would withstand months of outdoor exposure
EcoShrink used 300 micron white flame-retardant shrink wrap from our BIOSHRINK FR platform, applied without scaffold using towers and steps.
Challenges on site
High-security RAF site – phones off, escorted access, movements carefully controlled
Complex geometry – long fuselages, delta-style wings, undercarriage, intakes and tailplanes all requiring continuous coverage
No scaffold allowed – access via mobile towers and steps only, with strict controls around the aircraft
Zero tolerance for damage – historic paint schemes, delicate components and tyres all needed protection
External storage planned – wraps had to cope with rain, wind and UV once the aircraft were towed outside
Our solution
We treated each aircraft as a one-off custom build, rather than trying to force a standard scaffold approach.
Selected 300 micron white FR film from our BIOSHRINK platform, designed for long-term outdoor exposure
Used mobile alloy towers and access steps to reach the full length and height of each aircraft without touching sensitive areas
Pre-planned sheet layouts so that wings, fuselage and tail could be wrapped in continuous sections with minimal waste
Formed intricate welds around wing roots, tail fins and nose sections, shaping the film to the airframe instead of pulling it flat
Added local reinforcement at potential rub points and around undercarriage legs
Left only the wheels exposed, ensuring towing and repositioning remained possible
Once shrunk, each aircraft was fully encapsulated in a smooth, tight skin – with no open seams where water or birds could get in.
Results
Full weather protection for each aircraft while stored outdoors
No nesting points for birds or debris thanks to continuous, sealed encapsulation
Complex geometry mastered – long, swept wings and fins wrapped cleanly without sagging film
Zero reported damage to airframes, paintwork or components
A clear demonstration that specialist shrink wrap can protect high-value aviation assets without scaffold or invasive fixings
Similar projects
If you’re planning works on heritage aircraft, specialist transport, film sets or complex structures, our specialist shrink wrap team can design a custom approach.
See also:
Specialist shrink wrap for film and events
Marine and heavy engineering encapsulation
Heritage and cultural venue protection
Project FAQs
Can shrink wrap protect aircraft stored outdoors?
Yes. When designed and installed correctly, specialist shrink wrap can provide a tight, weatherproof skin around aircraft in outdoor storage. The key is continuous coverage, reinforced seams and regular inspections so there are no openings for water, birds or debris.
Do you need scaffold to wrap aircraft?
Not always. On this project we worked with mobile alloy towers and access steps, keeping clear of sensitive areas of the airframe. Scaffold may still be needed for certain aircraft or working-at-height setups, but many preservation projects can be wrapped without full scaffolding.
What film do you use for high-value aircraft?
We use a 300 micron white flame-retardant film from our BioShrink platform, designed for long-term outdoor exposure. It offers strong puncture resistance, stable shrink and a clear evidence trail on fire and durability testing. Specific grades are chosen to match each project and location.
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