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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'
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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_6689
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
General Dynamics F-111F Aardvark, 71-0886 United States Airforce
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Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
Avro Vulcan B.2, XH558 on the Mildenhall flightline
Later G-VLCN
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The World War II airfield Control Tower (Watch Office) for All Commands 12779/41 with medium front windows to 343/43, was neglected for many years, used for storage of car parts from a scrapyard and becoming derelict with an uncertain future, but has since been saved and restored, being rebuilt from 2006 to 2007. Full interior refurbishment, new windows fitted by a specialist firm along with the replacement of the handrails. The Control Tower was at risk of fire in May 2007 when the nearby cornfield caught fire, but had a lucky escape when one of the developers rushed off, returning with a JCB and carved out a fire-break, a few minutes later there was a flash-over and the whole field burnt out ! The road to the former Control Tower is now officially known as 'Witchcraft Way' after the aircraft of the same name.
Airfield construction began in 1943 for the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force and followed the lines of other Heavy Bomber bases with a main runway of 2,000 yards and two auxiliary runways of 1,400 yards each. The perimeter track was 2.7 miles in length and this and the runways had a concrete screed finish. Mk. II airfield lighting was installed, two T-2 Hangars were erected for major aircraft maintenance, and dispersed temporary building accommodation provided for some 2,400 men in the wooded countryside of the estate to the south-west of the airfield. During construction, 556,000 cubic yards of soil were excavated, 14,000 yards of soakaway drains installed and 504,000 yards of concrete laid. A major overhead power line had to be put underground to clear the flying approaches. The airfield was laid out on agricultural land between the two settlements of Rackheath Parva and Rackheath Magna, and was given designation USAAF Station 145.
The airfield was opened on 11th March 1944 and was used by the 467th Bombardment Group (Heavy) ''The Rackheath Aggies'' with B-24 Liberator's, flew 212 missions losing 46 aircraft, had the best bombing accuracy record of the 8th U.S.A.A.F. arriving from Wendover AAF Utah. The 467th was assigned to the 96th Combat Bombardment Wing, and the group tail code was a ''Circle-P''. Its operational squadrons were:
▪︎788th Bombardment Squadron (X7)
▪︎789th Bombardment Squadron (6A)
▪︎790th Bombardment Squadron (Q2)
▪︎791st Bombardment Squadron (4Z)
The group flew the Consolidated B-24 Liberator Bomber as part of the Eighth Air Force's strategic bombing campaign. The 467th began operations on 10th April 1944 with an attack by thirty aircraft on an airfield at Bourges in Central France.
In combat, the unit served chiefly as a Strategic Bombardment organization, attacking the German Navy (Deutsche Marine) harbour at Kiel, chemical plants at Bonn, textile factories at Stuttgart, power plants at Hamm, steel works at Osnabrück, the aircraft industry at Brunswick, and other objectives. In addition to Strategic Operations, it was engaged occasionally in support and interdiction missions. It bombed shore installations and bridges near Cherbourg on D-Day, 6th June 1944. It struck enemy troop and supply concentrations near Montreuil on 25th July 1944 to assist the Allied drive across France.
In September, over two weeks the U.S Bombers flew gasoline from RAF Rackheath to a forward base at Clastres in France for use by the U.S Mechanized Forces. Attacked German Communications Installations and Fortifications during the ''Battle of the Bulge'', December 1944-January 1945. To assist the Allied assault across the Rhine in March 1945 it attacked enemy transportation.
The Group flew its last combat mission on 25th April 1945 and then returned to the U.S to Sioux Falls Army Air Forces South Dakota during June and July 1945. Subsequently the 467th was redesignated as the 467th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) with Boeing B-29 Superfortresse's in preparation for the planned invasion of Japan. The 467th was inactivated on 4th August 1946. The airfield was returned to the Royal Air Force and a number of units were posted here:
▪︎No. 94 Maintenance Unit RAF
▪︎No. 231 Maintenance Unit RAF
With the end of the war, the airfield was closed permanently in late 1945 and the site was returned to back for agricultural use, very little of the runways, perimeter track, or hardstands now remain. Most of the concrete has been broken up for aggregate. The Technical Site has become the Rackheath Industrial Estate with several of the Wartime Buildings being modified or extended, and used for light industry. The major access road on the estate was named 'Wendover Road' to commemorate the airbase in the U.S where the 467th Bomb Group was formed. Other roads carry related names, including one after 'Albert Shower' the Base Commander, 'Witchcraft Way' after an individual aircraft of the group, and 'Liberator Close'.
The Control Tower still exists has been converted to use as an administrative building. The T2 Hangar nearby is virtually beyond recognition as compared to how it looked in 1943. Brickwork has been added to the front and the whole building has been repainted cream and green. Inside the building the roof girders appear to be original and identical to those seen on photographs taken in 1944. The other Hangar, on the eastern side of the airfield, was dismantled many years ago.
Sources en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Rackheath
Building 35 – Works Services, Air Ministry Drg No: 852/27
▪︎MARTLESHAM HEATH AIRFIELD – “The Cradle of British Aviation”▪︎
Martlesham Heath has enjoyed a long and varied aviation history, over many different periods of peace and war. They have attempted to summarise this into a number of key highlights.
For more information, facts, figures and insights please visit the MHAS Museum – They look forward to your visit !
▪︎World War I – Early beginnings –
The Royal Flying Corps came into being on 13th March 1912 and the Central Flying School was established at Upavon in Wiltshire at around the same time. Upavon soon began to expand its activities and in 1915 the Armament Experimental Flight of the Experimental Flying section of the Central Flying School was moved to Orfordness in Suffolk. Soon it became apparent that the Aircraft Testing Flight, which was still at Upavon, should be sited nearer to the Armament Flight.
Under the leadership of Henry Tizard, a technical officer, a survey was carried out to locate a suitable site, close to Orfordness and a railway station to London, capable of containing both the Armament Experimental Flight and the Aircraft Testing Flight. Martlesham Heath was chosen and thus began the aviation history of this area. The new airfield was dedicated on the 16th January 1917 but prior to its dedication, in late 1916, the Aeroplane Experimental Flight moved in and the new airfield was named as the Aeroplane Experimental Station.
▪︎Between the Wars –
On 1st April 1918, the RFC merged with the Royal Naval Air Service to become the Royal Air Force, with Martlesham’s importance continuing to grow, eventually being renamed the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) in 1924. The A&AEE carried out the evaluation and testing of over 400 different aircraft types, both military and civilian, during the inter-war years and much of the armament and other equipment that would later be used during the Second World War tested over Orfordness.
▪︎World War II – The Battle of Britain 1940 –
The A&AEE moved to RAF Boscombe Down on 9th September 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War and RAF Martlesham then undertook a key role in the “Battle of Britain”, becoming the most northerly station of No. 11 Group RAF Fighter Command. During the course of the battle several squadrons rotated through RAF Martlesham operating Bristol Blenheim's, Boulton Paul Defiants and Hawker Hurricane's.
During the latter stages of the ''Battle of Britain'', the German Luftwaffe targeted many RAF Fighter Command airfields and RAF Martlesham came under attack on the 15th August 1940, with the resulting extensive damage taking a full day to repair. On 11th November 1940 shortly after the end of the ''Battle Of Britain'', one of RAF Martlesham’s resident Hurricane squadrons (257) were involved in air to air combat with elements of the Italian Air Force’s Regia Aeronautica over the coast near Harwich claiming a number of Fiat BR.20 bombers and CR.42 biplane fighters destroyed.
▪︎World War II – On to the Offensive 1941–1942 –
During 1941-42 RAF Fighter Command operated a policy whereby their squadrons were regularly rotated to ensure that they did not become ‘battle weary’. This meant that often a squadron might only be based at an airfield for a few weeks and during this time RAF Martlesham saw around 30 different units stationed there. The RAF had an international flavour to it and squadrons of Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, Poles, Czechs, Belgians and Norwegians were all based there.
As the Hawker Hurricane became obsolete these squadrons were primarily equipped with newer marks of the Supermarine Spitfire such as the Vb and at least four squadrons of the RAF’s new fighter bomber, the Hawker Typhoon. In early 1941 the RAF were mainly engaged in Home Defence duties, patrolling the coast line against German raiders or protecting convoys. By early 1942 however RAF Fighter Command’s primary objective was to take the war to the enemy over occupied Europe. This new offensive saw the RAF’s fighter squadrons embarking on a variety of routine operations, each type given a specific codename.
''The Eagle Squadrons'' – The Eagle Squadrons were three fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force (71, 121 and 133), formed with volunteer pilots from the United States prior to America's entry into the war in December 1941. Under American law, it was illegal for United States citizens to join the armed forces of foreign nations. In doing so, they lost their citizenship. Even so many American citizens volunteered to fly with the Royal Air Force before America officially entered the war in December 1941. Although all three squadrons flew from RAF Martlesham only 71 Squadron were based at there on a permanent basis.
''AirSea Rescue'' – Sharing the airfield with the fighter squadrons between 1942 and the end of 1944 was an Air Sea Rescue unit - 'A' Flight, of 277 Squadron. The unit flew a variety of aircraft including Supermarine Walrus flying boats, Boulton Paul Defiants, Westland Lysander's and a number of ‘war weary’ Spitfire Mk. II’s & VB’s.
''Famous Faces'' – A number of ‘high profile’ pilots served at RAF Martlesham Heath with the most notably were Douglas Bader, Robert Stanford Tuck, Peter Townsend and John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway the last known surviving ''Battle Of Britain'' pilot.
▪︎World War II – Enter the USAAF 1943–1945 –
In 1943, RAF Martlesham Heath became one of a group of grass-surfaced airfields earmarked for use by fighters of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Eighth Air Force. The airfield was assigned the USAAF designation Station 369 and subsequently ‘hardened’ through the laying of asphalt runways, on top of a base of compressed sand.
The Control Tower (now the museum), a USAAF requirement, was built to centralize aircraft and vehicle movements. During this period, the RAF jointly occupied the airfield, with 56 Squadron flying Hawker Typhoon's attacking targets in Europe and shipping in the North Sea as well as 277 Squadron continuing to provide their Air Sea Rescue Role. The airfield was first used by the P-47 Thunderbolt’s of the 356th Fighter Group, 8th USAAF in October 1943, arriving from RAF Goxhill after a period of training. The 356th Fighter Group consisted of three squadrons:
▪︎359th Fighter Squadron (OC)
▪︎360th Fighter Squadron (PI)
▪︎361st Fighter Squadron (QI)
The 356th flew combat from October 1943, initially operating as escorts for the B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberator's of the 8th Air Force’s Bomb Groups. From early 1944 they began undertaking bombing and strafing missions against a range of targets in occupied Europe and these intensified in the run up to the D-Day landings on 6th June 1944. The 356th also played a critical role in support of ''Operation Market Garden'' (the Arnhem operation) in September 1944 to neutralize enemy gun emplacements, suffering heavy losses in the process. For this action they were awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation.
The 356th relinquished their Thunderbolt’s in November 1944 to be replaced by the P-51 Mustang. Unlike the P-47’s which carried no unit markings other than squadron codes, the 356th‘s Mustang's were among the most strikingly marked in the 8th AF and carried a red/blue diamond pattern on their engine cowlings as well as spinners, canopy rails and rudders in the individual squadron colours of Yellow for the 359FS, Red for the 360FS and Blue for the 361FS.
Between the first mission on 15th October 1943, and their final mission on 7th May 1945, the 356th was credited with destroying 277 enemy planes, probably destroying 23 more, and damaging a further 192. In addition, although exact numbers are unknown they were credited with the destruction of hundreds of vehicles, trains, rail cars, tanks, bridges, buildings, flak emplacements, munitions and fuel dumps, barges and a host of other ground targets. The 356th lost 122 aircraft in action and 71 pilots made the ultimate sacrifice either in combat or due to accidents. By October 1945 the 356th had left RAF Martlesham for home and the unit was formally deactivated on 10th November 1945.
▪︎Postwar - A return to aircraft research & development role –
With the departure of the USAAF, the airfield reverted to the RAF in a research and development role, although significantly scaled down from the pre-war days. In the immediate postwar years, Fighter Command squadrons were in residence at RAF Martlesham but the proximity to Ipswich and the physical limitations on lengthening the runways restricted jet operation. In an effort to improve the station and allow jet aircraft to operate the main runway was extended in 1955, by the addition of concrete aprons at the ends of the main runway.
The Blind Landing Experimental Unit and the Bomb Ballistics Unit both became operational in September 1945 at RAF Martlesham. The two units eventually merged and were finally moved from RAF Martlesham airfield to the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough and Bedford.
The Battle of Britain Flight moved to the airfield in 1958 and left in 1961. It consisted of Hurricane's and Spitfire's but without a Lancaster. Much later It was renamed “The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.” once the Lancaster joined the unit. Following this, the airfield reverted to care and maintenance status, and passed the time as a Gliding and air experience unit for Air Training Corps (A.T.C), flying mainly at weekends. the Air Ministry closed the facility on 25th April 1963.
▪︎Today - A new role and focus –
RAF Martlesham Heath has now become a flourishing residential and industrial area, but much evidence of the airfield still remains. Nearby, on the old RAF parade ground, stands a memorial erected to the memory of 73 members of the 356th Fighter Group who lost their lives in World War II. Alongside is a memorial to those of the RAF (British and Commonwealth and Dominion Air Forces (French, Czech, Polish, Norwegian etc.) who flew with or worked alongside the RAF. In between the two memorials is a special one remembering the Scientists and Engineers from the British Aircraft industry, who mostly died in flying accidents whilst testing and helping develop aircraft at RAF Martlesham Heath. The Control Tower, built in the Second World War, has now been repurposed to become the location of the MHAS Museum since 2000 – keeping the story of the airfield alive.
Information sourced from – Airfield History share.google/cU9HNPi0fsN4QAm0u
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
LTV-Vought A-7D Corsair II, 69-6222 as USAF 'Scrappy'
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Circa 1959, RAF Station Gan, Addu Atoll, Maldive Islands.
Between 1957 and 1959 my father worked for the MOD (Ministry of Defence) as the power station manager at RAF Gan airbase, and he took many slide photos whilst stationed there.
During these years the airbase, runway and facilities were being enlarged and updated. Work was in full swing at this time. This pier had recently been constructed in 1957/1958.
A Ben Line cargo ship, probably 'Benarty' or 'Benalbanach', is anchored off in the lagoon (visible at full screen size directly off the end of the pier), delivering supplies & stores, including frozen meat carcasses to the establishment.
A tug is berthed at the end of the pier, and a type of landing craft is berthed at the right hand end. The landing craft would bring the stores from the merchant ship to the pier. A number of local men can be seen engaged in the unloading of it.
The merchant ship being too large to berth at the pier, and in any case, the water was too shallow.
A military Commer QX R Series commercial vehicle, with split windscreen, can be seen on the left side of the pier. I think the large wooden-like structure behind it is possibly on a trailer, but it is difficult to tell.
To the right side is an RAF 23ft. W/T Servicing Tender Mk.II
launch No. 3172, which seems to be undergoing maintenance. A ladder is to one side, to allow access.
Thanks to **Jeff** for this link to the boat's details:
www.rafboats.co.uk/wtst23mk2aspec.html
To the lower, extreme right hand side, steel piles and shuttering can be seen and I believe it was for the construction of a very small sheltered dock/slipway.
This can still be clearly seen on Google maps, here: goo.gl/maps/TuL9sGbQmHTxz6JX9
This image was scanned from a slide.
A grey plane on a grey day makes for a grey photo. Correct me if I'm wrong but this is a Tornado, seen being directed to position for the 2014 RAF Waddington Airshow in Lincolnshire. This image was from the first of the two 'arrival days' on Thursday 3rd July 2014
“RAF Bicester is the best preserved of the bomber bases constructed as the principal arm of Sir Hugh Trenchard’s expansion of the RAF from 1923, which was based on the philosophy of offensive deterrence. It retains, better than any other military airbase in Britain, the layout and fabric relating to both pre-1930s military aviation and the development of Britain’s strategic bomber force in the period up to 1939.”
So say English Heritage, but the flying history of Bicester predates its development as a bomber base: a Bristol Boxkite flew from the town as early as 1911. The first military occupiers of the airfield were the Royal Flying Corps in 1916, which became part of the newly formed Royal Air Force on 1st April 1918 when RAF Bicester, as it now was, became a Training Depot. In the three years from 1925, the airfield was transformed into a state-of-the-art Bomber Station.
In 1936 it expanded as the country prepared for war with Germany. As Britain went to war, RAF Bicester was home to such legendary flying machines as the Hawker Hart, Bristol Blenheim and the first flight of the Handley Page Halifax four-engined bomber, the Royal Air Force’s first heavy bomber to enter production.
By the time the Allies were ready to liberate Europe, training was well under way at RAF Bicester for glider pilots and their tug aircrews. Soldiers of the Glider Pilot Regiment trained at Bicester before setting off for D-Day, Arnhem and, eventually, the Rhine Crossing. As the battle moved towards Berlin, RAF Bicester was transforming to become a busy maintenance unit dealing with both aeroplanes and motor transport.
Now RAF Bicester is transforming again. Its War Department specification redbrick buildings are being restored and updated as it becomes home to the UK’s first centre for historic motoring and aviation. Just in time to celebrate the centenary of powered military flight at Bicester’s airfield in 2017.
- See more at: bicesterheritage.co.uk/about/history/#sthash.KW3GCPc5.dpuf
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
General Dynamics EF-111A Raven, 67-0032 United States Airforce
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Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
Avro Lancaster B.I, PA474 Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight coded PM-M2
It represents 103 Sqn’s ED888 during its service with 103 and 576 Sqns.This aircraft completed 140 Operations, more than any other Lancaster.
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Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird, 64-17967 United States Airforce (USAF) or 64-7967
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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.
– Small Arms and Ammunition Store (Building 151) A/M Drg No. 12725/41 –
RAF Ludham airfield opened late on in 1941 as a satellite to RAF Coltishall. This fighter airfield was home mostly to Supermarine Spitfire units throughout its life, the first of which was from No. 19 Squadron, arriving from RAF Matlaske for a mixture of offensive and defensive duties. In the spring of 1942 No. 19 Squadron’s Spitfire's essentially swapped airfields with No. 610 Squadron as more Spitfire's moved in from RAF Hutton Cranswick. Unusually for a Spitfire squadron, the squadron was employed to counter increased German nocturnal activity by German bombers.
No. 610 switched with No. 167 Squadron at RAF Castletown, bringing many Dutch pilots with more Spitfires to RAF Ludham. Hawker Typhoons were also a rare different type to operate from the airfield, arriving in May 1943 for a short period to fly more offensive and defensive missions. The site did suffer from a number of German fighter-bomber attacks during this time.
Major redevelopment took place in 1944 with the intention of RAF Ludham becoming a U.S.A.A.F fighter station (Station 177), three hard runways and fifty new dispersals being built. However, the Americans never arrived and instead the Fleet Air Arm moved in, RAF Ludham becoming HMS Flycatcher from the summer of 1944.
The following units were here at some point –
▪︎No. 1 Squadron RAF
▪︎No. 19 Squadron RAF
▪︎No. 91 Squadron RAF
▪︎No. 167 Squadron RAF
▪︎No. 195 Squadron RAF
▪︎No. 602 Squadron RAF
▪︎No. 603 Squadron RAF
▪︎No. 610 Squadron RAF
▪︎No. 611 Squadron RAF
▪︎No. 1489 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight RAF
▪︎No. 2819 Squadron RAF Regiment
▪︎No. 2893 Squadron RAF Regiment.
It was home to the headquarters of the Mobile Naval Airfield Organisation from 4th September and a number of their Mobile Naval Air Bases (MONAB's). MONAB's were a series of mobile self-contained units able to repair and prepare aircraft, engines and components for ships of the Fleet. Each MONAB was initially commissioned at Ludham before the headquarters moved to AAC Middle Wallop on 16th February 1945.
Two squadrons with more Spitfire's arrived a few days later to carry out the same duties as in earlier times, attacking air and ground targets. After leaving in April these units were replaced by No. 91 Squadron and a month later No. 1 Squadron, also with Spitfire's. Both units departed in July and the airfield was put under Care and Maintenance. Having transferred to No. 60 Group the airfield was used for housing personnel from nearby RAF sites, before activity essentially ceased by the end of 1945.
The airfield finally closed in the first half of 1946. By the early 1960's the Air Ministry had sold the land and farmers eventually reacquired the airfield. Although most of the runways were broken up a small stretch was kept and used from later the same decade as a private airstrip for light aircraft and cropsprayers. Unusually, one of the wartime Blister hangars was later re-erected at the end of the surviving runway, obstructing take offs and landings. The two control towers both survive and were restored in the early 2000's. Part of the perimeter track also remains, although most of the other buildings have been demolished.
Information sourced from –
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II, 69-0293 United States Air Force Europe
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Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
Lockheed TR-1A 'Dragon Lady', 80-1088 US Air Force
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Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird, 64-17967 United States Airforce (USAF) or 64-7967
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RAF Rattlesden is a former Royal Air Force station located 9 miles south east of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England. The Rattlesden airfield was built in 1942 as a Class A bomber airfield. The airfield had three intersecting concrete runways, perimeter track and, for USAAF use, hardstands for fifty aircraft and two dispersed, black-painted T-2 hangars. Living and messing sites were on the east side of the field. It is situated four miles south of the A14 highway between Stowmarket and Bury St. Edmunds.
The airfield was opened in 1942 and was used by the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force. RAF Rattlesden was given USAAF designation Station 126 (RS).
▪︎322d Bombardment Group (Medium)
RAF Rattlesden was originally designated as a satellite for RAF Bury St. Edmunds with both airfields being assigned to the 3rd Bomb Wing which controlled most of the USAAF assigned airfields in Suffolk. The mission of the 3d Bomb Wing was medium bombardment and RAF Rattlesden was destined to receive Martin B-26 Marauder's when, in December 1942, the ground personnel of two squadrons of the 322d Bombardment Group (Medium) arrived from Drew AAF, Florida in April 1943. The squadrons were moved to RAF Bury St. Edmunds after a decision to establish one group per airfield.
▪︎447th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
In June 1943, it was decided that the B-26 groups would be better placed to conduct operations from airfields further south and an exchange of bases with the B-17-equipped 4th Bombardment Wing in Essex was arranged. RAF Rattlesden, however, remained without a combat unit until the 447th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrived from Harvard AAF Nebraska on 29th November 1943. The 447th was assigned a group tail code ''Square-K''. Its operational squadrons were:
▪︎708th Bombardment Squadron (CQ)
▪︎709th Bombardment Squadron (IE)
▪︎710th Bombardment Squadron (IJ)
▪︎711th Bombardment Squadron (IR)
The group flew the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress as part of the Eighth Air Force's strategic bombing campaign and served chiefly as a strategic bombardment organization. The 447th's first mission from RAF Rattlesden was despatched on the Christmas Eve and, during the course of hostilities, another 256 missions were flown from the base.
The group helped prepare for the invasion of the Continent by attacking submarine pens, naval installations and cities in Germany; ports and missile sites in France, and airfields and marshalling yards in France, Belgium and Germany. During ''Big Week'', 20th–25th February 1944, the 447th took part in the intensive campaign of heavy bombers against the German aircraft industry. It supported the invasion of Normandy in June 1944 by bombing airfields and other targets near the beachhead. Aided the breakthrough at Saint-Lô in July and the effort to take Brest in September. Pounded enemy positions to assist the airborne invasion of the Netherlands in September. Also dropped supplies to Free French Forces during the summer of 1944.
The 447th turned to strategic targets in Germany in October 1944, placing emphasis on sources of oil production until mid-December. 2nd Lt Robert Edward Femoyer, navigator, won the Medal of Honor for action on 2nd November 1944. While on a mission over Germany, his B-17 was damaged by flak and Femoyer was severely wounded by shell fragments. Determined to navigate the plane out of danger and save the crew, he refused a sedative and, for more than two hours, directed the navigation of the bomber so effectively that it returned to base without further damage. Femoyer died shortly after being removed from the plane.
During the ''Battle of the Bulge'', December 1944–January 1945, the group assaulted marshalling yards, railroad bridges, and communications centers in the combat zone. Then resumed operations against targets in Germany, attacking oil, transportation, communications, and other objectives until the war ended. During this period, also supported the airborne assault across the Rhine in March.
The group returned to Drew AAF Florida in August 1945, its personnel relieved from active duty and aircraft sent to storage. At Drew AAF the 447th was redesignated as the ''447th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)'' and allocated to Strategic Air Command w/o/p/e as a reserve unit.
After the war, the airfield was transferred to the RAF on 10th October 1945. For a short while it was used by the RAF for basic training and then as a Ministry of Food buffer depot but was finally inactivated on 15th August 1946. In the 1960's part of the site was used for RAF Bristol Bloodhound surface to air missiles but when this was abandoned the whole airfield was sold during 1967/68.
With the end of military control the land was returned to agricultural use. Today there is not much left of the living and mess sites of the airfield, only part of the main runway and the south and eastern part of the perimeter track still exist plus a few of the hardstands. The most complete area of the airfield today is the Technical No. 1, east of the airfield which still has around 20 buildings left including the large T-2 hangar. The Rattlesden Gliding Group uses the southwest end of the former main runway, with one lane of the former southwest perimeter track being used as a taxiway, the control tower is their club house.
Information sourced from – RAF Rattlesden - Wikipedia share.google/BK4fbsp9Y2coJiJWQ
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
Taylorcraft Auster AOP.9, G-BKVK as Royal Air Force (RAF) WZ662
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Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon, 86-0254 USAF Europe (USAFE) Code \WR with a soviet style '11red' marking
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Cira 1958/1959, RAF Station Gan, Addu Atoll, Maldive Islands.
My father, Stan Vince (1921-1994) in a distinctly 'off-duty' pose.
The cargo ship anchored off is one of four sister ships, 'Magdapur', 'Manipur', 'Maidan' or 'Mahronda', of the Liverpool based 'Brocklebank Line'. The ship was delivering victuals and other stores to the island.
Between 1957 and 1959 my father worked for the MOD (Ministry of Defence) as the power station manager at RAF Gan airbase, and he took many slide photos whilst stationed there.
During these years the airbase, runway and facilities were being enlarged and updated. Work was in full swing at this time.
This image was scanned from a slide.
Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon, 86-0288 \SP USAF Europe (USAFE)
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Mildenhall Air Fete, Mildenhall AB (1989) - United Kingdom
Sepecat Jaguar GR.1A, XZ363 Royal Air Force (RAF)
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