View allAll Photos Tagged rafbase
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight or BBMF presently consist of twelve aircraft:- 6 Spitfires, 2 Hurricanes, Lancaster, Dakota, and 2 Chipmunks. They are operated by the Royal Air Force and have been based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire since 1976.
The Patrouille Suisse is an aerobatic team of the Swiss Air Force. The team flies six Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter/bomber jets.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight or BBMF presently consist of twelve aircraft:- 6 Spitfires, 2 Hurricanes, Lancaster, Dakota, and 2 Chipmunks. They are operated by the Royal Air Force and have been based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire since 1976.
The T-346 is tailored to train pilots to fly new generation combat aircraft and is well suited for every phase of advanced and pre-operational training, to reduce the flight hours on the more expensive aircraft. The aircraft features avionics modelled upon those of new generation military aircraft such as Eurofighter, Gripen, Rafale, F-16, F-22 and the future JSF.
Photos taken at Wattisham on the 10 June 2020 from the other side of the Airfield weather not great so could not get very good Shots
Wattisham airfield was opened in 1939 and used by the RAF as a Bomber base flying Bristol Blenheim Bombers in 1942 it was handed over to the USAAF for the rest of WWII and P-38 Lightning’s and the P-51 Mustang’s use to fly from the base
After WWII the base was handed back to the RAF and other aircraft to have been stationed at Wattisham include Meteors, Hawker Hunters including the Black Arrows formation team, English Electric Lightnings, Gloster Javelin and the McDonnell Douglas Phantoms In 1993 the base was handed over to the Army
BAC_6690
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1988) - United Kingdom
Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird, 64-17980 United States Airforce (USAF) or 64-7980
Photo selection
Of all the Spitfires airworthy today, MH434 is perhaps the most famous. This stems both from its RAF combat service and its career in preservation, for much of which it was flown by the legendary former Red Arrows leader Ray Hanna. Built at Castle Bromwich, the aircraft flew in August 1943 and was one of the many Spitfires air-tested by the great test pilot Alex Henshaw. In service with No 222 (Natal) Squadron, it shot down two Luftwaffe Focke-Wulf Fw 190s in the hands of South African pilot Flt Lt Henry Lardner-Burke while on operations over occupied Europe. Serving with No 350 (Belgian) Squadron and back with 222, MH434's combat career continued until March 1945, having flown more than 80 operational sorties. Post-war it went to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (seeing more combat action in Java) and the Belgian Air Force, prior to being sold into civilian hands. MH434 was operated by Belgian target-towing firm COGEA until 1963, when Tim Davies bought the aircraft and returned it to the UK. It was flown in 1968's filming of 'The Battle of Britain', one of MH434's many appearances on the big and small screens. During Sir Adrian Swire's ownership from 1969-83, Ray Hanna began flying MH434, developing his inimitable style of warbird display. The Old Flying Machine Company acquired the Spitfire in 1983 - it has remained in their ownership ever since, flying now in part as a memorial to both of the OFMC's founders, Ray and Mark Hanna.
This is one of several images a relative took of what appears to be a tropospheric scatter communications facility.
It was taken during a visit "up a mountain" near Penang in Malaysia in mid-late summer, 1971. As can be seen from the first comment below by [https://www.flickr.com/photos/weekit], this is Tiger Hill/Western Hill, a part of Penang Hill/Bukit Bendera.
Three of the images were taken on the base, which had an RAF ensign flying and was manned by RAF personnel. (The relative was in the RAF at the time, but visiting Malaysia).
I can find no reference to this site on a search of the interweb but I assume it is associated with the nearby RAF Butterworth and presumably formed part of the station's long-haul communications capability?
I have found various US sites that suggest this might be a 486L tropospheric scatter communications system, which the US military used extensively in Europe in the 1960s-1980s. The US also used something similar in Vietnam in the late 1960s, so it is possible this was part of a SEATO communications network, or perhaps a UK stand-alone system?
Of note, the American sites (European and Asian) all appear on mountain/hill tops, most of which have been bulldozed flat to accomodate the facility. Was the construction above a cheaper option for the RAF or more caring for the environment?
Anyone able to shed any more light on this?
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1988) - United Kingdom
according the books it must be
Avro Shackleton AEW.2, WL747 Royal Air Force \47
Photo selection
One of the hangers at a recently abandoned RAF Base.
Read the full report and view loads more pics on my new website - www.bcd-urbex.com/recently-abandoned-raf-base/
RAF 100 Typhoon ZX318 pictured at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford in glorious sunshine.
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
Lockheed C-5B Galaxy, 87-0030 US Air Force
Photo selection
Photos taken at Wattisham on the 10 June 2020 from the other side of the Airfield weather not great so could not get very good Shots
Wattisham airfield was opened in 1939 and used by the RAF as a Bomber base flying Bristol Blenheim Bombers in 1942 it was handed over to the USAAF for the rest of WWII and P-38 Lightning’s and the P-51 Mustang’s use to fly from the base
After WWII the base was handed back to the RAF and other aircraft to have been stationed at Wattisham include Meteors, Hawker Hunters including the Black Arrows formation team, English Electric Lightnings, Gloster Javelin and the McDonnell Douglas Phantoms In 1993 the base was handed over to the Army
Built as T.7 XL605 in 1958, she served with 92 Squadron - the Blue Diamonds - leading the team. Also serving with 66 Squadron and 229 OCU, in 1966 she was returned to Hawkers and converted to unofficial 'T.70' spec and loaned to the Royal Saudi Air Force for jet conversion training. Presented to the Royal Jordanian Air Force in 1968, she came home in 1974 having been swapped for an ex-RAF FR.10. Refurbished at Dunsfold, she returned to the RAF under a new serial - XX467 - and served with 229 OCU and the TWU, retiring to ground duties in 1983. Sold in 1997 to the current owner, a full restoration to airworthy condition was begun by Delta Jets at Kemble. However this proved to be more protracted than the owner expected and the aircraft was placed into storage before moving by road to Exeter. The restoration gradually continued after further storage but work once again halted and she has now been sold to Dave Thomas and moved to Bruntingthorpe. Dave has reassembled her and a restoration to taxiing condition is continuing.
Percival Pembroke WV-740 (G-BNPH)
Military history
WV-740 was rolled off the Hunting production line at Luton on March 2nd 1955. Built to Air Ministry contract 6/AIR/6847/CB5(a) of June 5th 1951, she was given construction number K66/027, also quoted as P66/41 which would tie in with the issue of the RAF batch of serial numbers (WV-699 to WV-740). She flew for the first time on March 12th 1955 and was delivered to Number 9 Maintenance Unit at RAF Cosford on March 14th 1955, and allocated to the Middle East Air Force on April 15th. Arriveing at RAF Khormaksar, Aden on April 20th she joined the Aden Protectorate Support Flight. On December 20th 1956, WV740 was damaged in a Category 3R accident, repaired, and joined Number 84 Squadron at Khormaksar on January 22nd 1957. It was not long before trouble occurred again, and she was badly damaged in a further Category 3R accident on May 30th 1957. She moved into the repair shops of the Aden Repair Squadron on June 1st, and rejoined the Station Flight at RAF Khormaksar on December 3rd, before being transferred to Number 78 Squadron in Aden on June 13th 1958, before flying off to RAF Eastleigh in Nairobi, where she joined the Station Flight on December 15th 1958. Just under a year later, on November 27th 1959, she made the long ferry flight home to UK where she entered a period of storage at Number 5 Maintenance Unit based at RAF Kemble, where she remained until September 28th 1961. She then joined the Metropolitan Communication Squadron at RAF Northolt. Through the next five years she spent her life with various communications flight in UK, being with Bomber Command Communications Squadron at Booker on May 1st 1962, Number 5 Maintenance Unit at Kemble on June 6th, the Maintenance Command Communications and Ferry Squadron August 9th 1962. With the latter organisation, she met with a further Category 3R accident on February 20th 1963 and was repaired on site by personnel of Number 60 Maintenance Unit for a week before being returned to the Maintenance Command Communications Squadron. The highlight of this period of her life occurred on June 26th 1963 when she flew Prime Minister Harold Macmillan to Gatwick. She was transferred to the Western Command Communications Squadron at
RAF Andover on April 1st 1964 and was loaned to the Ministry of Aviation on February 15th 1965 before being returned to N°5 Maintenance Unit at RAF Kemble on March 24th 1965, then to Andover on May 28th 1965.
On February 13th 1967 she flew eastwards again, and back to her old haunts in Aden when she joined Number 21 Squadron at RAF Khormaksar on February 13th 1967. Her record is not clear, but she must have left Aden later that year with the withdrawal of the British presence, and probably moved with N°21 Squadron to RAF Muharraq at Bahrain. Whatever the case, she was one of the fourteen aircraft chosen to be resparred, and she was returned to the British Aircraft Corporation at Luton on March 8th 1971. Making her first flight after this major work on June 16th 1971, she flew to Wisley in Surrey and was then returned through N°5 Maintenance Unit at Kemble to N°21 Squadron at RAF Andover on June 24th 1971 serving with this unit for five years.
Returning to Number 5 Maintenance Unit for heavy maintenance on March 25th 1976, WV740 was then sent to join the Station Flight (Dragon Airlines) at RAF St Athan on July 30th. On March 29th 1978, she made the short flight to Germany where she joined Number 60 Squadron at RAF Wildenrath, the airfield where she would spend the rest of her service life, and acquire the German instructions written on her fuselage!
At Wildenrath, she joined five other Pembroke's with this unit, and flew extensively throughout Europe. Carrying many VIP’s as well as completing more mundane tasks, this aircraft was, for a time, the personal aircraft of Air Chief Marshal Sir Dennis Spottiswood. Her record shows that from 10th until 30th March 1981 she was attached to Number 5 Maintenance Unit at RAF Brize Norton for a repaint and interior refurbishment, before returning to RAF Wildenrath where she remained until March 23rd 1987 when she was flown to RAF Shawbury for storage and disposal.
Civilian history
On June 24th 1987, together with her sister ship XK-884, WV740 was purchased by Air Commodore John Allison and moved to RAF Benson for storage. Air Commodore Allison together with Mr Mike Searle placed WV740 on the civil register as G-BNPH. Both aircraft were retained for several years until WV-740 was sold to Mr Richard J.F.Parker in mid-June 1991. Mr Parker, a property developer and aviation enthusiast returned WV-740 to her former splendour, refurbished her interior, and flew her for many years at air displays and for pleasure. The closure of both Leavesden and Hatfield in Hertfordshire in 1994 forced Mr Parker to consider the future of his fleet of vintage aircraft, and with great regret, he offered WV-740 for sale. March 15th 1994 saw WV740 sold to Captain Martin Willing, a Cathay Pacific pilot now retired who lives in Jersey, and she was flown to that lovely location. WV740 continued to fly, and was based mainly at Duxford, where she was operated by Radial Revelation, a company set up to foster the preservation and operation of radial engined aircraft. In 2003 ownership of the aircraft passed to Andrew and Geraldine Dixon at Bournemouth who operated the Pembroke as a personnel transport and air show duties.
During 2011 WV740 was put up for sale and and acquired by Mr Mark Stott in 2012 along with Sea Prince T1 WP321. Now based at MoD St Athan, WV740 is maintained by Horizon Aircraft Services and is available for display, flight training and corporate events.
Crew: Two pilots
Capacity: 8 passengers
Length: 46 ft (14.02 m)
Wingspan: 64 ft 6 in (19.66 m)
Height: 16 ft (4.9 m)
Empty weight: 9,961 lb (4,400 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 13,489 lb (6,124 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Alvis Leonides 127 9-cylinder supercharged radial piston engines, 540 hp (410 kw) each
Maximum speed: 186 mph (300 km/h)
Range: 1,012 nm (1,850 km)
Service ceiling: 7,680 m (22,000 ft)
Of all the Spitfires airworthy today, MH434 is perhaps the most famous. This stems both from its RAF combat service and its career in preservation, for much of which it was flown by the legendary former Red Arrows leader Ray Hanna. Built at Castle Bromwich, the aircraft flew in August 1943 and was one of the many Spitfires air-tested by the great test pilot Alex Henshaw. In service with No 222 (Natal) Squadron, it shot down two Luftwaffe Focke-Wulf Fw 190s in the hands of South African pilot Flt Lt Henry Lardner-Burke while on operations over occupied Europe. Serving with No 350 (Belgian) Squadron and back with 222, MH434's combat career continued until March 1945, having flown more than 80 operational sorties. Post-war it went to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (seeing more combat action in Java) and the Belgian Air Force, prior to being sold into civilian hands. MH434 was operated by Belgian target-towing firm COGEA until 1963, when Tim Davies bought the aircraft and returned it to the UK. It was flown in 1968's filming of 'The Battle of Britain', one of MH434's many appearances on the big and small screens. During Sir Adrian Swire's ownership from 1969-83, Ray Hanna began flying MH434, developing his inimitable style of warbird display. The Old Flying Machine Company acquired the Spitfire in 1983 - it has remained in their ownership ever since, flying now in part as a memorial to both of the OFMC's founders, Ray and Mark Hanna.
A close view of the Royal Navy Seaking helicopter on the Friday 'arrivals day' at the RAF Waddington Airshow 2014 in Lincolnshire. It was a hot and sunny afternoon as the pilot of this chopper hovered in front of the crowd.
RAF Westcott is a former Royal Air Force station located in Westcott, Buckinghamshire.It was used by No. 11 Operational Training Unit RAF during the war, along with its satellite station RAF Oakley.RAF Westcott opened in September 1942 with crews using Vickers Wellington bombers for training.
On the night of 15 March 1944 a Wellington X of 11 Operational Training Unit (OTU) was on final approach to land at RAF Westcott at the conclusion of a night cross country training sortie. At the same time the crew of a Stirling III on their first operational mission were also preparing to land at a nearby airfield having been diverted from their base in Suffolk.
Tragically the two aircraft collided and with both aircraft too low for the safe use of parachutes all onboard both aircraft perished. The Wellington crashed close to a railway yard nearby but the Stirling remained airborne for some 15 minutes before crashing at Astwell Park, Wattenham.
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1988) - United Kingdom
Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird, 64-17971 United States Airforce (USAF) or 64-7971
Photo selection
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1988) - United Kingdom
Fairey Gannet AEW.3, G-BMYP as Royal Navy XL502
Retired from the airshow circuit in 1989
Photo selection
Built as a replacement for Manchester’s first municipal airfield at Barton, Manchester Ringway Airport was constructed between 1935 and 1938.
With the onset of World War 2 an RAF base was added to the site in 1939.
RAF Ringway was originally home to the No 1 Operational Training Unit of Costal Command and later the base of the No 1 Parachute Training School. The base was also sometime home of 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron.
Fairey Aviation and Avro also constructed over 4400 warplanes on the site.
RAF Ringway closed in 1957 and the whole site has been developed into the modern Manchester International Airport.
Vist Manchester City Police World War 2 Collection to view more of these historic images.
For more information please follow Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives.
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.
You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
– 25th Bomb Group (RCN. Sp.) Memorial –
A polished, grey granite tablet, set on a stone base, inscribed in English in white lettering. On the top of the plaque are images of two bomber aircraft with the 8th Air Force insignia in between. The memorial commemorates the airmen of the 25th Bomb Group, 8th United States Army Air Force, listing the 15 different units which formed the group.
Monument Text:
USAAF
SEASONED AIRMEN GATHERED HERE AMONG
ALLIES TO CONTINUE THE GREAT FIRST CAUSE
DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO SERVED
25th BOMB GROUP (RCN. SP.)
HQ & HDQS SQD — 653rd BOMD SQD (L-RCN.)
652nd BOMB SQD (H-RCN) — 654th BOMB SQD (H-RCN. SP.)
18th WEA SQD DET A — 8th COMBAT CAMERA UNIT
1070th QMC GP (AVN) — 301st STA COMPLT SQD
652nd AIR MATL SQD — 828th AIR ENGR SQD
2135th ENGR F.F. PLAT — 564th ARMY POST UNIT
375TH AIR SERV SQD — 452nd AIR SERV SQD
1274th M.P. CO (AVN) DET
On the base:
A TIME TO REMEMBER
1944 1945
Opened in 1937, RAF Watton was used by both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II. During the war it was used primarily as a bomber airfield, being the home of RAF Bomber Command squadrons until being used by the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force as a major overhaul depot for Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers and as a weather reconnaissance base.
After the war, it was returned to RAF use until being turned over to the British Army in the early 1990's. It was closed then put up for sale.
In 1943 RAF Watton was turned over to the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force for use as an air depot. The airfield was originally grass surfaced but, during the American tenure, the airfield had a 2,000 yard long concrete runway constructed. A concrete perimeter track was built and a total of fifty-three hardstandings, of which forty-one were a spectacle and twelve of the frying-pan type.
The four original C-type hangars, arranged in the usual crescent on the northern side of the airfield, were backed by the permanent buildings of the pre-war RAF camp. Additional hangars were added and three blister hangars at dispersals. The construction of the airfield necessitated the closure of two public roads.
RAF Watton was given USAAF designation Station 376.
The 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance) was formed at RAF Watton as the 802nd Reconnaissance Group in February 1944. The unit was renamed the 25th on 9 August 1944. Its operational units were:
▪︎652d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) B-17F/G, B-24J.
▪︎653d Bombardment Squadron (Light) de Havilland Mosquito Mk XVI. (WX)
▪︎654th Bombardment Squadron (Special) de Havilland Mosquito Mk. XVI (BA), North American B-25 Mitchell, Martin B-26G Marauder, Douglas A-26 Invader.
The 652d Bomb Squadron originated as a provisional weather reconnaissance unit that was formed at RAF St Eval in Cornwall with Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresse's on 8th September 1943 for conducting meteorological fights over the Atlantic Ocean. In November 1943 the unit moved to RAF Bovingdon after flying 231 weather sorties. At RAF Bovington, the squadron was reorganized as the 8th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron on 28th March 1944, then transferred to RAF Watton on 12th April 1944.
The 653d and 654th Bomb Squadrons were established at RAF Watton on 12th April for special weather reconnaissance missions over enemy-occupied territory in advance of bomber formations and visual coverage of target strikes. Pilots for the Mosquito's came from former Lockheed P-38 Lightning pilots of the 50th Fighter Squadron transferred from the 342d Composite Group based in Iceland.
From RAF Watton, the 25th continued weather flights over the waters adjacent to the British Isles and occasionally to the Azores to obtain meteorological data along with night photographic missions to detect enemy activity, and daylight photographic and mapping missions over the Continent.
Also, the group occasionally engaged in electronic-countermeasure missions in which chaff was spread to confuse enemy defenses during Allied attacks.
The 25th Bomb Group moved to Drew AAF, Florida during July–August 1945 and was inactivated on 8th September 1945. The group flew a total of 3,370 sorties for the loss of 15 aircraft.
Information sourced from – Monument Details share.google/A0fAG1ye2kYag7pC4
The partially buried remains of an hexagonal type structure, there's appears to be no evidence of having a covering or a roof. The reinforced concrete walls are 6 inches thick, there are really bad cracks in sections of the wall, and broken sections of concrete lay nearby. The two large embrasures or openings, one of which the top section has broken away, these would probably have been for a close defence role. The rear entrance has a wall for protection, the overall condition is very poor, almost in a ruinous state.
The World War II Light Anti-aircraft (LAA) Weapons Pit, was a defensive position built to protect vulnerable points like airfields, factories, or towns from low-flying enemy aircraft. The pits typically housed rapid-firing machine guns or small-caliber cannons.
Construction and purpose: LAA Weapons Pits varied in their construction and features depending on the location, the weapon, and whether they were temporary or permanent.
Earthwork breastwork: Many simple LAA positions were earthwork pits or foxholes, which provided cover for the gun crew from ground-level attack and flying debris. A weapons pit might also be paired with a nearby slit trench for additional crew shelter.
Concrete emplacements: More permanent installations, particularly those protecting vital installations, were often built with concrete or brick. These offered greater protection and provided a stable platform for heavier guns like the Bofors.
Attached pillboxes: In some cases, a weapons pit was integrated with a pillbox. The open section of the pillbox provided a mounting for an LAA machine gun, while the enclosed area gave the crew better protection from ground attack.
Raised towers: To get a better field of fire over surrounding structures or terrain, some Bofors guns were mounted on concrete or steel towers.
Predictor pits: More advanced LAA emplacements, particularly for Bofors guns, included a separate, circular pit for a predictor. This equipment used radar or optical data to calculate a target's course and speed, and then relayed firing corrections to the gun crew.
Common weapons: Two common British LAA weapons used in these pits were the Lewis gun and the Bofors gun.
Lewis gun: A light machine gun, the Lewis was used as an improvised LAA weapon, often mounted on a pintle to enable an anti-aircraft role. Lewis gun pits could be as simple as a circular earthen depression or a concrete pipe pit. The gun required a two-person crew for effective operation: one to fire and one to load the ammunition drum.
Bofors 40mm gun: The standard LAA cannon for the British Army, the Bofors fired 40mm shells at a high rate to take down aircraft of any size. In static positions, the Bofors gun was fixed to a central concrete pedestal, or "holdfast," which was surrounded by a low wall with recesses for ammunition. Because Bofors guns were effective against low-flying aircraft but could also target ground forces, their pits were positioned strategically to defend against both types of attacks.
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
Rockwell B-1B Lancer, 86-0114 United States Airforce
Photo selection
Built as a replacement for Manchester’s first municipal airfield at Barton, Manchester Ringway Airport was constructed between 1935 and 1938.
With the onset of World War 2 an RAF base was added to the site in 1939.
RAF Ringway was originally home to the No 1 Operational Training Unit of Costal Command and later the base of the No 1 Parachute Training School. The base was also sometime home of 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron.
Fairey Aviation and Avro also constructed over 4400 warplanes on the site.
RAF Ringway closed in 1957 and the whole site has been developed into the modern Manchester International Airport.
Vist Manchester City Police World War 2 Collection to view more of these historic images.
For more information please follow Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives.
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.
You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
RAF Wendling is a former Royal Air Force station located 5 miles west-northwest of East Dereham, Norfolk, England. Opened in 1942, it was used during the war by the 392nd Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces, Eighth Air Force, flying Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers. After the war, it was maintained by the RAF as a standby airfield until their departure in 1961. A small U.S.A.F. radio detachment remained until 1964, when the land was sold off and returned to agriculture, with turkey sheds built on parts of the old runways.
RAF Wendling (Wendling airfield) was originally planned for RAF Bomber Command use, however in 1942 was assigned as a United States Army Air Forces heavy bomber installation. It was the most northerly placed of Eighth Air Force heavy bomber fields and was built by Taylor-Woodrow Ltd in 1942. The airfield featured a 6,000-foot long main runway angled on a NE-SW axis and two intersecting 4,200 feet long secondary runways, all within a perimeter track and constructed of reinforced concrete.
Another twenty hardstands (loop type) were added to the thirty of the frying-pan type when the airfield was rescheduled as an Eighth Air Force heavy bomber station. Two T2-type hangars were provided plus the usual full technical facilities, Mark II airfield lighting and dispersed accommodation for some 2,900 persons. The domestic sites were in the parish of Beeston to the west of the airfield and the bomb dump and ammunition stores were in Honeypot Wood to the south-east.
Under U.S.A.A.F. control, RAF Wendling was designated as Station 118. The airfield was opened in 1943 and was used by the 392d Bombardment Group (Heavy), arriving from Alamogordo Army Airfield, New Mexico in the south west of the U.S. on 18th July 1943. The 453rd was assigned to the 14th Combat Bombardment Wing, and the group tail code was a ''Circle-D''. Its operational squadrons were:
▪︎576th Bombardment Squadron (CI).
▪︎577th Bombardment Squadron (DC).
▪︎578th Bombardment Squadron (EC).
▪︎579th Bombardment Squadron (GC).
The group flew Consolidated B-24 Liberator's as part of the Eighth Air Force's strategic bombing campaign. The 392d BG entered combat on 9th September 1943 and engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic objectives on the Continent until April 1945. The group attacked such targets as an oil refinery at Gelsenkirchen, a marshalling yard at Osnabrück, a railroad viaduct at Bielefeld, steel plants at Brunswick, a tank factory at Kassel, and gas works at Berlin.
The group took part in the intensive campaign of heavy bombers against the German aircraft industry during ''Big Week'' 20th – 25th February 1944, being awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for bombing an aircraft and component parts factory at Gotha on 24th February. The unit sometimes supported ground forces or carried out interdictory operations along with bombing airfields and V-weapon sites in France prior to the Normandy invasion in June 1944 and struck coastal defences and choke points on D-Day.
The group hit enemy positions to assist ground forces at Saint-Lô during the breakthrough in July 1944. Bombed railroads, bridges, and highways to cut off German supply lines during the ''Battle of the Bulge'', December 1944 – January 1945. Dropped supplies to Allied troops during the air attack on Holland in September 1944 and during the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945. The 392nd Bomb Group flew its last combat mission on 25th April 1945, then carried food to the Dutch. The unit returned to Charleston Army Airfield South Carolina, in the north east of the U.S.A. on 25th June 1945 and was inactivated on 13th September 1945.
When the Americans left, RAF Wendling was returned to the Air Ministry and transferred to RAF Maintenance Command and was used by No. 258 Maintenance Unit RAF as a stand-by airfield, later becoming an inactive station before being finally closed on 22nd November 1961. The airfield was also home to No. 4249 Anti-Aircraft Flight RAF Regiment. It was used between June 1960 and April 1964 by the United States Air Force as a radio facility before being finally closed and sold in 1964.
With the end of military control the airfield has become a turkey farm, with large coops built along its runways. Most of the buildings and hardstands have been torn down and the concrete removed. Also much of the perimeter track has been reduced to a single lane road. A granite obelisk monument to the men of the 392nd Bomb Group (flic.kr/p/2jPQFvV) and stands well maintained and cared for in a small plot just off the airfield on the road to Beeston. The monument was dedicated in September 1945.
Information sourced from – en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Wendling
Photos taken at Wattisham on the 10 June 2020 from the other side of the Airfield weather not great so could not get very good Shots
Wattisham airfield was opened in 1939 and used by the RAF as a Bomber base flying Bristol Blenheim Bombers in 1942 it was handed over to the USAAF for the rest of WWII and P-38 Lightning’s and the P-51 Mustang’s use to fly from the base
After WWII the base was handed back to the RAF and other aircraft to have been stationed at Wattisham include Meteors, Hawker Hunters including the Black Arrows formation team, English Electric Lightnings, Gloster Javelin and the McDonnell Douglas Phantoms In 1993 the base was handed over to the Army
BAC_6686
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
LTV-Vought A-7D Corsair II, 69-6222 as USAF 'Scrappy'
Photo selection