Operational Control: -

Location

Country: - Sardinia

Lat/Long:  39:14:47N  09:03:27E

Height Above Sea Level:  13 ft

Main units: -

This housed a detachment of No 63 Staging Post from nearby RAF Elmas

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units (LG224): -

147 Sqn (

267 Sqn (

450 Sqn (

454 Sqn (

HQ, No 231 Wing (26 - 29 Jun 1942, 6 - 13 Nov 1942)

Main units (Cairo West): -

No 6 (Middle East) Ferry Control (24 Jan 1943 - xxx xxxx)

No 10 Staging Post (8 Apr 1943 - 1 Aug 1945)

No 21 Air Despatch & Reception Unit(9 Apr 1943 - Sep 1944)

No 1 (Middle East) Ferry Control (1 Jul 1943 - 26 Jun 1944)

No 124 Staging Post (18 Sep 1944 - 14 May 1945)

No 5 Ferry Unit (10 Aug - 1 Dec 1945)

No 1589 Heavy Freight Flt (10 Oct 1945 - 30 Apr 1946)

14 Sqn (

74 Sqn (

89 Sqn (

96 Sqn (

216 Sqn (

620 Sqn (

Location

Country: - Egypt

Lat/Long:  30:06:59N  30:54:56E

Height Above Sea Level:  550 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

It was also known as Kilo 26 and Landing Ground 224

Main units (Kilo 26): -

6 Sqn (

No 1 (Middle East) Ferry Control (20 May 1942 - 1 Jul 1943)

14 Sqn (

37 Sqn (

39 Sqn (

46 Sqn (

70 Sqn (

76 Sqn (

104 Sqn (

Detachments**

No 2 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (Aug 1942 - xxx xxxx) (LG224)

Links to related sites/pages

Scramble website, Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units (continued): -

'A' Boat Seaplane Training Flt (8 Aug 1918 - Jan 1919)

'B' Boat Seaplane Training Flt (8 Aug 1918 - Jan 1919)

Naval Co-operation Flt (xxx xxxx - Mar 1922)

School of Aerial Navigation (13 Feb - 1 Apr 1920)

School of Naval Co-operation and Aerial Navigation (1 Apr 1920 - 5 Feb 1928)

230 Sqn (7 May 1922 - 1 Apr 1923)

Air Pilotage Flt (5 Feb 1923 - Dec 1926)

Seaplane Training Flt (Feb 1925 - 1 Oct 1931)

Navigation School (Dec 1926 - 6 Jan 1936)

High Speed Flt (Jul 1927, 24 Feb - Apr 1928, 18 Sep - Nov 1928, Apr - Sep 1929, 10 May - 5 Oct 1931)

201 Sqn (1 Jan 1929 - 29 Sep 1938, 7 Oct 1938 - 9 Aug 1939, 1 Apr 1946 - 18 Jan 1949)

Seaplane Training Sqn (1 Oct 1931 - Sep 1939)

240 Sqn (30 Mar 1937 - 12 Aug 1937)

Flying Boat Training Sqn (2 Jan 1939 - 24 Jun 1940)

Floatplane Training Flt (xxx 1939 - 23 Jun 1940)

Detachment, 228 Sqn (Aug - Oct 1941)

No 84 Maintenance Unit (1 Dec 1941 - 15 Mar 1946)

Marine Craft Section (Ferry Pool), Calshot (Dec 1941 - xxx xxxx)

No 6 Flying Boat Servicing Unit (13 Sep 1943 - xxx 1945)

No 32 Air/Sea Rescue Marine Craft Unit (27 Mar - 12 Oct 1944)

No 33 Air/Sea Rescue Marine Craft Unit (14 Jun - Nov 1944)

No 101 (Long-Range) Air-Sea Rescue Unit (1 Dec 1944 - 3 Jul 1945)

No 103 (Long-Range) Air-Sea Rescue Unit (1 Feb - 15 Nov 1945)

School of Air Sea Rescue (12 Feb - 23 Jul 1945)

No 104 (Long-Range) Air-Sea Rescue Unit (1 Mar - 15 Nov 1945)

No 105 (Long-Range) Air-Sea Rescue Unit (1 Apr - 15 Nov 1945)

Survival and Rescue Training Unit (23 Jul 1945 - 5 Aug 1946)

No 12 (Flying Boat) Preparation and Modification Unit (1 Sep 1945 - May 1946)

No 235 OCU (31 Jul 1947 - 17 Oct 1953)

No 1102 Marine Craft Base Unit (8 Aug 1949 - 11 Oct 1952)

No 1 Marine Craft Training School (22 Aug 1949 - 1 Oct 1953)

No 238 Maintenance Unit (17 Oct 1953 - 12 May 1961)

Location

County: - Hampshire

Lat/Long:  50:49:12N  01:18:29W Approx

Grid Ref:    SU489025

Height above sea level:

Operational Control: -

Opened - 29 Mar 1913

RNAS (29 Mar 1913 - 31 Mar 1918)

No 10 Group (1 Apr 1918 - 15 Sep 1919)

Coastal Area (15 Sep 1919 - 1 May 1936)

Coastal Command (1 May 1936 - 1961)

Closed - 1 Apr 1961

Notes

Main units: -

HQ No 10 Group (1 Apr - Jun 1918)

No 345 Flt (May 1918 - 15 May 1919)

No 346 Flt (May 1918 - 15 May 1919)

No 410 Flt (31 May 1918 - 15 May 1919)

No 210 Training Depot Station (Jun 1918 - 15 May 1919)

HQ No 74 Wing (8 Aug 1918 - 15 May 1919)

Detachments**

No 30 Air/Sea Rescue Marine Craft Unit (Mar 1942 - Mar 1943)

Links to related sites/pages

FAA Archive Website, Brief Station history website, Officers Commanding, Aerial photo on Google Maps,

One of the oldest military air station in the country, Calshot opened as a RFC (Naval Wing) station on 29 March 1913, it was built on a spit of land extending into the Solent and was named after Calshot Castle, which occupied the site and was retained as part of the station.  Personnel were accommodated at Eaglehurst about one and a quarter miles from the castle.  During World War One, it was mainly used as an experimental and training station. But on the formation of the RAF in April 1918, it became home to the headquarters of No 10 Group and the Felixstowe flying boats of No 345 and No 346 Flights and the seaplanes of No 410 Flight.

After the war the station became home to the RAF School of Naval Co-operation and Aerial Navigation and on 5 February 1922 was renamed RAF Base Calshot.  It also housed the Felixstowe flying boats of No 480 (Coastal Reconnaissance) Flight, which were replaced by Supermarine Southamptons in August 1922.  These two units remained at Calshot until World War Two, although both underwent a number of names changes in the process.  No 480 Flight was raised to No 201 Squadron on 1 January 1929.

Calshot also became the home for the RAF High Speed Flight as it prepared for the Schneider trophy competitions in 1927, 1929 and finally 1931.  In October 1931, the Flying Boat Training Squadron formed at Calshot  with No 240 Squadron being formed at the station in March 1937. 

Just before the outbreak of war, the two operational squadrons left, leaving just the FBTS in situ and Calshot becoming a flying boat maintenance centre.  Five seaplane tenders from the station took part in the Dunkirk evacuation and in June 1940, the FBTS moved north to Stranraer.  From May 1942, the station was home to a number of Air-Sea Rescue units the maintenance side of the station became No 6 Flying Boat Servicing Unit, concentrating on the maintenance of Short Sunderlands.  ASR launches from Calshot took part in the D-Day landings, being positioned off the beach in readiness to rescue downed airman as soon as possible.

Operational squadrons returned in March 1946, when No 201 Squadron arrived to be followed a month later by No 230 Squadron, both equipped with Sunderlands, but by 1949, they had left Calshot.  Early in 1947, No 4 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit arrived to be renamed No 235 Operational Conversion Unit in July, which remained until October 1953.  After this the station was basically a marine craft station but became No 238 Maintenance Unit, responsible for the servicing of marine craft.  RAF Calshot finally closed on 1 April 1961.

Main units: -

No 17 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit (1 May 1943 - 1 Feb 1944)

No 11 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit (1 Feb 1944 - 1 Jun 1945)

No 5 Air Crew Holding Unit (14 Jun 1945 - 18 Sep 1946)

Location

County: - Cheshire

Lat/Long:   53:06:45N  02:36:15W

Grid Ref -  SJ595575

Height Above Sea Level - 180 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened: - 1942

No 21 Group (1944)

Closed: - 1946

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Control Tower website,

Main units: -

2 Sqn (

16 Sqn (

26 Sqn (

239 Sqn (

268 Sqn (

No 54 Maintenance Unit (4 Nov 1939 - 1 Mar 1945)

No 5 Radio Maintenance Unit (1 Jul - 21 Sep 1940 )

No 42 Initial Training Wing (26 Feb - 17 May 1944)

No 5 Air Experience Flt (Jul 1958 - Sep 1966, xxx 1967 - Sep 1999)#

Location

County: - Cambridgeshire

Lat/Long:   52:12:28N  00:07:21E Approx

Grid Ref - 

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

SHQ was in the city of Cambridge, from which a various units in and around the city were controlled.

#The Marshall airfield at Teversham is also included in this entry.

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units (Ingham): -

No 1687 (Bomber) Defence Training Flt (5 Jun 1943 - 4 Dec 1944)

Night Bomber Tactical School/Unit (10 Mar - May 1944)

199 Sqn (

300 Sqn (

305 Sqn (

Main units (Cammeringham): -

No 16 (Polish) School of Technical Training (9 Jul 1945 - 7 Dec 1946)

No 4 (Polish) Holding Unit (14 Nov 1945 - xxx xxxx)

Location

County: - Lincolnshire

Lat/Long:   53:20:28N  00:33:18W

Grid Ref -  SK945838

Height Above Sea Level - 200 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1942

No 1 Group (1944)

Closed - 1945

Notes

Originally known as Ingham

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Control Tower website,

Main units: -

No 43 Maintenance Unit (3 Feb - 6 Mar 1940)

No 52 Maintenance Unit (6 Mar 1940 - 31 Oct 1945)

No 8 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (9 Nov 1940 - 1 Dec 1943)

No 1952 Reserve AOP Flt (15 Oct 1950 - 29 Jun 1953)

286 Sqn (

587 Sqn (

614 Sqn (

663 Sqn (

Location

County: - Glamorganshire (City of Cardiff)

Lat/Long:   51:29:08N  03:07:56W

Grid Ref -  ST215770

Height Above Sea Level - 23 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

No 53 Wing (1944)

Closed -

Notes

Originally known as Pengam Moors

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units (continued): -

No 19 Aviation Candidates Selection Board (15 Aug 1940 - 18 Mar 1944)

No 19 Aviation Candidates Selection Board (18 Aug 1940 - 18 Mar 1944)

954 (Balloon) Sqn (12 - 18 Sep 1940)

970 (Balloon) Sqn (18 - 23 Sep 1940, 15 Oct 1940 - xxx xxxx, 6 Jan - 1 Jul 1941)

971 (VLA Balloon) Sqn (15 - 31 Oct 1940)

963 (Balloon) Sqn (24 Nov - 28 Dec 1940)

955 (Balloon) Sqn (22 Jan - 18 Feb 1941)

972 (Balloon) Sqn (28 Jan - 6 Feb 1941)

973 (Balloon) Sqn (xxx - xxx 1941)

974 (Balloon) Sqn (1 Apr - 15 Aug 1941)

HQ, No 260 (Balloon) Wing (13 - 14 Jul 1941)

975 (Balloon) Sqn (15 Jul - 18 Aug 1941)

990 (Balloon) Sqn (15 Jul - 15 Aug 1941)

976 (Balloon) Sqn (Aug - 25 Sep 1941)

986 (Balloon) Sqn (3 Jul 1943 - 1 Jan 1944)

967 (Balloon) Sqn (1 - xx Nov 1944)

No 1440 Flt (7 Dec 1942 - 8 Jan 1943)

Training and Development Unit (xxx 1944 - xxx 1946)

HQ, No 72 (Signals) Wing (1 - 2 Sep 1944)

No 60 Repair Unit (MT) (Dec 1944 - 15 Mar 1945)

Polish Balloon Unit (15 Mar 1945 - 9 Dec 1946)

No 1 Glider Servicing School (21 Mar 1945 - xxx xxxx)

No 274 Maintenance Unit (15 Apr 1948 - 17 Jan 1955)

No 172 Personnel Transit Centre (26 May - 12 Sep 1952)

No 14 Joint Services Trials Unit (2 - 9 Nov 1959)

Location

County: - Bedfordshire

Lat/Long:   52:06:25N  00:25:08W

Grid Ref - 

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Main units: -

No 2 Aircraft Storage Unit (2 Aug 1932 - 10 Feb 1938)

No 2 RAF Depot (30 Sep 1937 - 7 Sep 1939)

No 26 Maintenance Unit (10 Feb 1938 - 2 Feb 1939, 1 Jul 1940 - 15 Apr 1947)

Ferry Flt, Cardington (xx - 16 Jan 1939)

Sub-site, No 25 Maintenance Unit (xxx 1939 - 31 Aug 1956)

No 4 Aviation Candidates Selection Board (3 Sep 1939 - 28 Aug 1944)

No 7 Aviation Candidates Selection Board (3 Sep 1939 - 28 Aug 1944)

No 2 Recruit Depot (7 Sep 1939 -

'A' Mobile Balloon Sqn (1 Mar - 20 May 1940)

957 (Balloon) Sqn (20 May - 4 Jun 1940)

956 (Balloon) Sqn (2 Jun 1940 - 5 Sep 1944)

958 (Balloon) Sqn (1 Jul - 12 Aug 1940)

No 9 Aviation Candidates Selection Board (8 Jul 1940 - 18 Mar 1944)

959 (Balloon) Sqn (26 Jul - 14 Aug 1940)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Officers Commanding,  Control Tower website,

Main units (continued): -

'L' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit  (5 Apr - 29 Oct 1940)

Coastal Command Tactical Development Unit (22 Oct - 22 Nov 1940)

Coastal Command Development Unit (22 Nov 1940 - 6 Dec 1941)

No 4 Radio Direction Finding School (5 Oct 1942 - 1 Jan 1943)

No 1607 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flt (1 Nov 1942 - 3 Nov 1943, 11 Nov - 1 Dec 1943)

32 Sqn (

48 Sqn (

75 Sqn (

217 Sqn (

236 Sqn (

238 Sqn (

254 Sqn (

286 Sqn (

320 Sqn (

321 Sqn (

500 Sqn (

587 Sqn (

Location

County: - Pembrokeshire

Lat/Long:   51:41:15N  04:48:45W

Grid Ref -  SN002655

Height Above Sea Level - 100 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1939

No 27 Group (1944)

Closed - 1945

Notes

Main units: -

No 4 Radio Direction Finding School (xxx xxxx - xxx xxxx)

'B' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (14 Apr - 1 Sep 1939, 5 Sep 1939 - 2 Oct 1941, 9 Mar - 1 Nov 1942)

No 5 Coastal Patrol Flt (1 Mar - 27 May 1940)

Detachments**

No 8 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (Jan - May 1943)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Control Tower website,

Main units: -

'F' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit  (7 Jan - 1 Nov 1942)

'R' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit  (7 Jan  - 1 Oct 1942)

No 6 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (15 Mar 1942 - 8 Mar 1943)

Staff Pilot Training Unit (17 Mar - 14 Nov 1942, 12 Mar 1943 - 31 Dec 1945)

No 1614 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flt (1 Nov 1942- 1 Dec 1943)

650 Sqn (1 Dec 1943 -

Pilot-Navigation Instructors Course (29 Oct - 31 Dec 1945)

Location

County: - Lancashire

Lat/Long:   54:09:45N  02:57:30W

Grid Ref -  SD374745

Height Above Sea Level - 17 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1941

No 25 Group (1944)

Closed - 1945

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Control Tower website,

Main units (Airfield): -

Main units (MU): -

No 6 Stores Depot (xxx 1938 - 26 Sep 1938)

No 14 Maintenance Unit (26 Sep 1938 - 26 Sep 1996)

School of Torpedo Maintenance (8 Jun - 9 Sep 1942)

Location

County: - Cumberland (Cumbria)

Lat/Long:   54:55:23N  02:58:00W (Airfield)

                  54:55:58N  02:57:58W (MU)

Grid Ref -  NY390595

Height Above Sea Level - 100 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

No 51 Group (1944) (Airfield)

Closed -

Notes

Detachments

No 6 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (2 Nov 1940 - 9 May 1942)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Subterranea Britannica website,  Officers Commanding,

Main units: -

150 Sqn (

247 Sqn (

Location

County: - East Yorkshire

Lat/Long:   54:03:45N  00:15:30W

Grid Ref -  TA140640

Height Above Sea Level - 35 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1944

No 4 Group (1944)

Closed - 1963

Notes

An industrial estate now occupies most of the original runway.

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units (Castle Archdale): -

201 Sqn (

202 Sqn (

228 Sqn (

230 Sqn (

422 Sqn (

423 Sqn (

No 4423 Servicing Echelon (4 Jun – 8 Aug 1945)

Location

County: - County Fermanagh

Lat/Long:   54:28:44N  07:43:48W

Grid Ref -  H175585

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - Feb 1941

Closed - 1946

Notes

It was called Castle Archdale on opening but this was changed to Lough Erne on 18 Feb 1941, before reverting to Castle Archdale in Jan 1943.

Main units (Lough Erne): -

119 Sqn (

201 Sqn (

228 Sqn (

240 Sqn (

422 Sqn (

No 302 Ferry Training Unit (30 Sep - 1 Dec 1942)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units (continued): -

No 28 Reserve Sqn (1 Jun 1916 - 31 May 1917)

No 5 Training Sqn (31 May - 12 Dec 1917)

No 28 Training Sqn (31 May - 1 Jul 1917)

No 67 Training Sqn (3 - 11 Jun 1917)

No 74 Training Sqn (1 Dec 1917 - 27 Jun 1918)

No 54 Training Sqn (12 Dec 1917 - 6 Jul 1918)

No 7 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (10 Apr 1940 - 1 Dec 1943)

No 6 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (8 Mar - 1 Dec 1943)

No 1954 Reserve AOP Flt (27 Mar 1953 - 10 Mar 1957)

9 Sqn (

19 Sqn (

34 Sqn (

38 Sqn (

54 Sqn (

55 Sqn (

71 Sqn (

115 Sqn (

132 Sqn (

577 Sqn (

605 Sqn (

663 Sqn (

Used by No 9 Maintenance Unit for temporary dispersal (Sep 1939 - xxx 1940)

Sub-site, No 16 Maintenance Unit (xxx 1947 - 31 Jul 1948)

Location

County: - Warwickshire (West Midlands)

Lat/Long:   52:31:08N  01:47:15W

Grid Ref -  SP145915

Height Above Sea Level - 270 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1914

Closed -

Reopened -

No 70 Group (1944)

Closed - 1958

Notes

Main units: -

No 5 Reserve Aeroplane Sqn (11 May 1915 - 13 Jan 1916)

No 5 Reserve Sqn (13 Jan 1916 - 31 May 1917)

HQ, 25th (Training) Wing (18 Sep 1916 - 1 Jul 1918)

No 34 Reserve Sqn (1 - 13 Nov 1916)

No 43 Reserve Sqn (2 - 13 Nov 1916)

Detachments**

No 8 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (Jun 1941)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

25 Sqn (

68 Sqn (

73 Sqn (

85 Sqn (

91 Sqn (

151 Sqn (

157 Sqn (

307 Sqn (

410 Sqn (

456 Sqn (

486 Sqn (

527 Sqn (

605 Sqn (

No 6068 Servicing Echelon (22 Jun – 27 Oct 1944)

No 6151 Servicing Echelon (8 Oct – 18 Nov 1944)

No 6025 Servicing Echelon (27 Oct 1944 – 14 Jul 1945, 10 Aug 1945 – 11 Jan 1946)

No 6307 (Polish) Servicing Echelon (27 Jan – 18 May 1945)

No 6085 Servicing Echelon (27 Jun - 11 Oct 1945)

Location

County: - Essex/Cambridgeshire

Lat/Long:   53:03:00N  00:23:00E

Grid Ref -  TL633420

Height Above Sea Level - 420 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1040

No 11 Group (1944)

Closed - 1946

Notes

Main Units: -

No 605 (AAF) Servicing Echelon (15 Mar – 6 Oct 1943)

No 3028 Servicing Echelon (29 Feb – 7 Mar 1944)

HQ, No 25 (Base) Defence Wing (1 Mar - 9 Apr 1944)

No 85 Group Communication Sqn (1 Apr - 6 Jun 1944)

Detachments**

No 6307 (Polish) Servicing Echelon (May 1944 – Jan 1945)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

No 2 Torpedo Training Unit (19 Dec 1942 - 29 Sep 1943)

No 104 Storage Sub-site (16 Jul 1945 - 10 Aug 1947)

Location

County: - Wigtownshire (Dumfries and Galloway)

Lat/Long:   54:53:35N  04:56:02W

Grid Ref -  NX119598

Height Above Sea Level - 83 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1941

No 29 Group (1944)

Closed - 1945

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

3 Sqn (

17 Sqn (

54 Sqn (

66 Sqn (

118 Sqn (

123 Sqn (

124 Sqn (

131 Sqn (

132 Sqn (

167 Sqn (

213 Sqn (

232 Sqn (

260 Sqn (

278 Sqn (

282 Sqn (

310 Sqn (

331 Sqn (

404 Sqn (

504 Sqn (

607 Sqn (

610 Sqn (

Location

County: - Caithness (Highland District)

Lat/Long:   58:35:00N  03:20:30W

Grid Ref -  ND215669

Height Above Sea Level - 90 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1940

No 13 Group (1944)

Closed - 1945

Notes

Main Units: -

No1 Radio Maintenance Unit (3 Aug - 21 Sep 1940) (Olrig House)

Advanced Ship Recognition Flt (12 Nov 1942 - 7 Jan 1943)

No 3034 Servicing Echelon (14 - 17 Nov 1941)

No 3022 Servicing Echelon (17 Nov 1941 – 2 Jun 1942)

No 3033 Servicing Echelon (7 Feb – 28 Mar 1942)

No 501 (AAF) Servicing Echelon (19 Sep 1943 – 22 Mar 1944)

No 6504 Servicing Echelon (22 Mar – 29 Apr 1944)

No 6066 Servicing Echelon (9 – 14 May 1944)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Officers Commanding,

Main units (continued): -

No 4 Aircraft Delivery Flt (Middle East) (Jan - 21 Sep 1944)

No 66 Staging Post (1 Aug - 1 Nov 1944)

No 4 Ferry Unit (23 Sep 1944 - Jan 1945)

43 Sqn (

87 Sqn (

108 Sqn (

117 Sqn (

185 Sqn (

229 Sqn (

243 Sqn (

255 Sqn (

267 Sqn (

272 Sqn (

1435 Sqn (

Location

Country: - Sardinia

Lat/Long:  37:28:00N  15:03:59E

Height Above Sea Level:  43 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

It is now known as Catania-Fontanarossa Airport

Main units: -

No 23 Air Despatch & Reception Unit(9 Apr 1943 - Sep 1944)

No 3204 Servicing Commando (18 Aug - 26 1943)

No 62 Staging Post (20 Sep 1943 - 1 Aug 1945)

No 118 Maintenance Unit (15 Oct 1943 - 21 Sep 1944)

No 52 Personnel Transit Centre (Nov - 1 Dec 1943)

Detachments**

No 144 Maintenance Unit (xxx - 15 Oct 1943)

'C' Det, No 4 Ferry Unit (Jan - xxx 1945)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

No 1 Armament Training Camp (1 Jan 1932 - 1 Apr 1938)

97 Sqn (16 - 26 Sep 1935)

No 1 Armament Training Station (1 Apr 1938 - 3 Sep 1939)

No 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit (1 Oct 1940 - 15 Feb 1944)

Central Gunnery  School (24 Feb 1944 - 12 Nov 1945)

Sub-site, No 14 Maintenance Unit (1 Dec 1945 - 31 May 1949)

226 Sqn (1 Aug 1959 - 9 Mar 1963)

Location

County: - East Riding of Yorkshire

Lat/Long:  53:55:15N  00:16:30W

Grid Ref:    TA135485

Height above sea level: 40ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1932

No 25 Group (1 Dec 1937 - 3 Sep 1939)

No 17 Group (1 Oct 1940 - 15 Feb 1944)

No 25 Group (24 Feb 1944 - xxx xxxx)

Closed - 1963

Notes

During its use as an ATC/ATS various squadrons carried out short detachments to Catfoss, from where they use the ranges at nearby Skipsea on the coast

Detachments:

No 5 Group Target Towing Flt (Sep 1939 - Jan 1940)

616 Sqn (Oct 1939 - May 1940)

No 16 Operational Training Unit (Jul - Oct 1940)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Control Tower website,

Main units (continued): -

127 Sqn (1 Feb - 4 Jul 1918)

No 49 Training Depot Station (15 Jul 1918 - 10 Mar 1919)

26 Sqn (11 Oct 1927 - 3 Oct 1939)

41 Sqn (25 Sep 1936 -19 Oct 1939, 25 Oct 1939 - 28 May 1940, 17 Jun - 26 Jul 1940, 8 Aug - 3 Sep 1940)

219 Sqn (4 Oct 1939 - 12 Oct 1940)

54 Sqn (28 May - 4 Jun 1940, 28 Jul - 8 Aug 1940,  3 Sep 1940 - 23 Feb 1941)

609 Sqn (27 Aug - 7 Oct 1939)

504 Sqn (2 - 6 Sep 1940)

600 Sqn (12 Oct 1940 - 14 Mar 1941)

256 Sqn (23 Nov 1940 - 4 Jan 1941)

68 Sqn (7 Jan - 23 Apr 1941)

313 Sqn (10 May - 1 Jul 1941)

131 Sqn (10 Jul - 6 Aug 1941)

331 Sqn (21 Jul - 21 Aug 1941)

145 Sqn (28 Jul 1941 - 11 Feb 1942)

122 Sqn (31 Aug - 6 Oct 1941)

17 Sqn (31 Oct - 10 Nov 1941)

134 Sqn (7 - 30 Dec 1941)

332 Sqn (15 Jan - 19 Jun 1942)

403 Sqn (19 Jun - 1 Jul 1942, 8 Jul 1942 - 23 Jan 1943)

63 Sqn (16 Jul - 6 Nov 1942, 13 - 21 Nov 1942)

No 1472 Flt (16 Jan - 15 Nov 1943)

401 Sqn (23 Jan - 29 May 1943)

No 3015 Servicing Echelon (29 Apr – 15 Dec 1943)

306 Sqn (30 May - 11 Aug 1943)

130 Sqn (18 Sep - 10 Nov 1943)

No 504 (AAF) Servicing Echelon (18 Sep – 8 Nov 1943)

No 3 Aircraft Delivery Flt (22 Oct - 8 Nov 1943)

222 Sqn (14 - 25 Feb 1944)

RAF Film Unit (xxx 1944 - xxx xxxx)

RAF Regiment Depot (xxx 1946 - Feb 1994)

Sub-site, No 35 Maintenance Unit (xxx 1947 - 31 Aug 1949)

No 289 Sqn RAF Regiment (1 May 1952 - xxx xxxx)

RAF School of Fire Fighting (xxx 1959 - 18 Nov 1988)

No 445 Volunteer Gliding School (26 Mar 1960 - xxx xxxx)

No 2 Sqn RAF Regiment

No 16 Sqn RAF Regiment

No 37 Sqn RAF Regiment

No 48 Sqn RAF Regiment

No 51 Sqn RAF Regiment

No 58 Sqn RAF Regiment

No 66 Sqn RAF Regiment

No 2701 Sqn RAF Regiment

No 2703 Sqn RAF Regiment

Location

County: - North Yorkshire

Lat/Long:  54:22:00N  01:37:00W

Grid Ref:    SE250968

Height above sea level: 175ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1914

No 12 Group (1944)

Closed: 

Notes

Main units: -

HQ No 8 Wing (5 Nov 1915 - 7 Feb 1916)

No 6 Reserve Aeroplane Sqn (27 Nov 1915 - 13 Jan 1916)

No 14 Reserve Aeroplane Sqn (1 Dec 1915 - 13 Jan 1916)

No 6 Reserve Sqn (13 Jan 1916 - 31 May 1917)

No 14 Reserve Sqn (13 Jan 1916 - 31 May 1917)

44 Sqn (15 - 18 Apr 1916)

53 Sqn (15 May - 11 Dec 1916)

No 37 Reserve Sqn (2 - 13 Nov 1916)

No 52 Reserve Sqn (18 Jan - 18 Mar 1917)

No 83 (Canadian) Reserve Sqn (Jan - Mar 1917)

No 88 (Canadian) Reserve Sqn (15 Mar - Apr 1917)

No 68 Reserve Sqn (7 - 14 Apr 1917)

No 6 Training Sqn (31 May - 24 Nov 1917)

No 14 Training Sqn (31 May - 1 1917)

No 46 Training Sqn (23 Jul 1917 - 15 Jul 1918)

89 Sqn (24 Jul - 7 Aug 1917)

No 69 Training Sqn (1 - 10 Oct 1917)

107 Sqn (8 - 18 Oct 1917)

No 52 Training Sqn (24 Nov 1917 - 15 Jul 1918)

115 Sqn (1 Dec 1917 - 15 Apr 1918)

118 Sqn (1 Jan - 15 Apr 1918)

Detachments:

76 Sqn (Oct 1916 - May 1919)

64 Sqn (Aug 1939 - May 1940)

No 7 Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Unit (det) (May 1941 - Dec 1943)

289 Sqn (May 1942 - May 1945)

No 1490 Flt (May - 15 Jul 1943)

Links to related sites/pages

Battle of Britain Anniversary website, Subterranea Britannica website, Commanding Officers, Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

No 6414 (RCAF) Servicing Echelon (7 – 8 May 1945)

No 427 Refuelling and Re-arming Unit (26 - 28 May 1945)

No 84 Group Communication Flt (27 May - xxx 1945)

No 412 Repair & Salvage Unit (30 May - xxx 1945)

No 6002 Servicing Echelon (30 May – 18 Jun 1945, 17 Sep 1945 – 15 Apr 1947)

No 6268 Servicing Echelon (30 May – 18 Jun 1945, 19 Jun 1945)

No 94 (Forward) Staging Post (31 May - Nov 1945)

No 3 Air Delivery Letter Service (10 Jul - 1 Aug 1945)

No 402 Air Stores Park (17 Aug 1945 - 15 Jun 1946)

No 6016 Servicing Echelon (19 Sep 1945 – 1 May 1946)

No 1902 AOP Flt (1 Jan - 1 Dec 1947)

No 1903 AOP Flt (1 Jan - 1 Dec 1947)

No 1904 AOP Flt (1 Jan - 1 Dec 1947)

No 6014 Servicing Echelon (16 Aug 1949 – 1 Nov 1950)

No 1 Mobile Repair and Salvage Unit (25 Mar 1950 - 1 Jan 1957)

HQ, No 139 Wing (1 Apr 1953 - 1 Dec 1957)

2 Sqn (

4 Sqn (

11 Sqn (

14 Sqn (

16 Sqn (

41 Sqn (

93 Sqn (

94 Sqn (

98 Sqn (

145 Sqn (

268 Sqn (

652 Sqn (

659 Sqn (

Location

Country: - Lower Saxony, Germany

Lat/Long:  52:35:40N   10:01:30E

Height Above Sea Level:  129 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Captured by the 15th Scottish Division - 12 Apr 1945

Main Units: -

No 19 Terminal Staging Post (16 Apr - 31 May 1945)

No 6041 Servicing Echelon (16 Apr – 9 May 1945)

HQ, No 125 Wing (16 Apr - 9 May 1945)

130 Sqn (16 April – 7 May 1945)

350 Sqn (16 April – 7 May 1945)

No 401 Air Stores Park (16 Apr - xx May 1945)

No. 361 Air Liaison Section (16 Apr - 9 May 1945)

No 409 Repair & Salvage Unit (16 Apr - 3 May 194

No 108 Mobile Dental Surgery (16 Apr.-9 May 1945)

No 6130 Servicing Echelon (17 Apr – 7 May 1945)

No 6132 Servicing Echelon (17 Apr – 7 May 1945)

No 6245 Servicing Echelon (19 Apr – 28 May 1945)

No 91 (Forward) Staging Post (22 Apr - 21 May 1945)

No 404 Air Stores Park (25 Apr - 6 May 1945)

137 Sqn (7 – 9 May 1945)

414 Sqn (7 May 1945 to xx xxx)

486 Sqn (7 – 9 May 1945)

No 6137 Servicing Echelon (7 – 9 May 1945)

Detachments*

'A' Section, No 426 Refuelling and Re-arming Unit (16 Apr - Jul 1945)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

5 Sqn (

10 Sqn (

62 Sqn (

99 Sqn (

194 Sqn (

215 Sqn (

298 Sqn (

670 Sqn (

672 Sqn (

No 3 Mobile Parachute Servicing Unit (19 Mar 1944 - 1 Sep 1945, xxx - 14 Jun 1946)

No 1 Glider Servicing Flt (Jun  - Sep 1944)

RAF Element, Air Transport Development Centre (India) (6 Sep 1944 - xxx 1946)

No 20 Glider Servicing Echelon (16 - 29 Nov 1944)

No 21 Glider Servicing Echelon (24 - 29 Nov 1944)

No 7135 Servicing Echelon (17 May – xxx 1945)

No 7030 Servicing Echelon (18 May – 7 Jul 1945)

No 10 Mobile Parachute Servicing Unit (20 Jul - Nov 1945)

Location

Country - Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan

Lat/Long:  33:36:59N   73:05:57E

Height above sea level:  1,688 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

It is the third largest airport in Pakistan and is now known as Islamabad International Airport

Main Units: -

No 3 (Indian) Wing (14 Oct 1935 - xxx xxxx, 16 Jan 1936 - 25 Apr 1938)

No 223 Group Communication Flt (2 Dec 1942 - xxx 1944)

Mobile Parachute Servicing Unit (29 Sep 1943 - xxx 1944)

No 2 Det,  No 144 Repair & Salvage Unit (Feb 1944 - 19 Feb 1945)

No5 Mobile Parachute Servicing Unit (10 Feb 1944 - Sep 1945)

Detachments**

No 141 Repair & Salvage Unit (1 - 30 Apr 1946)

Links to related sites/pages

Islamabad International Airport website, Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

20 Sqn (

30 Sqn (

42 Sqn (

135 Sqn (

615 Sqn (

No 22 Glider Servicing Echelon (xxx - 25 Oct 1945)

No 148 Staging Post (10 Jan 1945 - 15 Feb 1946)

No 210 Staging Post (24 Aug 1945 - 27 May 1946)

No 158 Staging Post (1 Feb - 11 May 1946)

Location

Country: - India

Lat/Long:  22:27:54N   86:42:14E.

Height Above Sea Level:  377 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Detachments**

No 134 Repair & Salvage Unit (xxx 1945 - 27 Apr 1946)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

No 21 Air Crew Holding Unit (1 Oct 1946 - 1 Jun 1947)

Location

County: - Oxfordshire

Lat/Long:   51:40:30N  01:04:30W

Grid Ref -  SU635977

Height Above Sea Level - 230 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1943

USAAF (1944)

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Control Tower website,

Main units (continued): -

No 2810 Sqn RAF Regiment (xxx xxxx - xxx 1947)

84 Sqn (26 Sep 1947 - 1 Feb 1948)

81 Sqn (1 Oct 1947 - 1 Feb 1948)

Far East Communication Sqn (15 Oct 1947 - 25 May 1949, 21 Aug 1949 - 1 Nov 1971)

No 1914 Flt (15 Nov 1947 - 1 Feb 1948)

ACFE Instrument Flying Training Flt (1 - 8 Jun 1948)

ACFE All-Weather Flt (8 Jun 1948 - Apr 1950)

HQ Far East Air Force (1 Jun 1949 - 1 Nov 1971)

33 Sqn (9 Aug - 10 Sep 1949, 13 Oct 1949 - 18 Mar 1950)

656 Sqn (17 Aug 1949 - 12 Apr 1950)

No 1902 AOP Flt (Sep 1949 - Jun 1950)

Far East Casualty Evacuation Flt (22 May 1950 - 2 Feb 1953)

No 1911 AOP Flt (Jun - Aug 1950)

Towed Target Flt (1 Jul 1951 - 1 May 1964)

Far East Transport Wing (1 Jan 1952 - 15 Feb 1956)

Short Range Transport Sqn (31 Dec 1952 - xxx xxxx)

205 Sqn (1 Mar 1958 - 31 Oct 1971)

No 1325 Flt (28 Mar 1959 - 1 May 1960)

215 Sqn (31 Jul 1963 - 31 Dec 1967)

41 Sqn RNZAF (1963 - 1971?)

26 LAA Sqn, RAF Regiment (xxx 1963 - xxx xxxx)

1574 Target Facilities Flt (1 May 1964 - 31 Jan 1971)

77 Sqn RAAF (xxx 1964 - xxx xxxx)

801 Sqn FAA (xxx 1964 -xxx 1965)

3 Sqn RAAF (xxx 1965 - xxx xxxx)

Naval Aircraft Support Unit (xxx 1965 - 1 May 1969)

130 Flt Royal Corps of Transport (Mar 1968 - xxx xxxx)

103 Sqn (28 Mar 1969 - 15 Sep 1971)

RAF Hospital

Comcen Singapore

No. 2 Aeronautical Documents Unit

Jungle Survival School

19 Signals Regiment

Joint Warfare Branch

No 15 Sqn RAF Regiment

No 26 Sqn RAF Regiment

Location

Country: - Singapore

Lat/Long:  01:21:33N  103:59:22E

Height Above Sea Level:  22 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 8 Apr 1946

ACSEA (8 Apr - 30 Sep 1946)

ACFE (30 Sep 1946 - 1 Jun 1949)

FEAF (1 Jun 1949 - 1 Mar 1952, xxx xxxx - 31 Oct 1971)

No 230 Group (1 Mar 1952 - 16 Feb 1953)

AHQ Singapore (16 Feb 1953 - xxx xxxx)

Air Support Command ( 1 Nov - 9 Dec 1971)

Closed - 9 Dec 1971

Notes

Initially built as an Artillery camp, following the Japanese capture of Singapore, a PoW camp was established at Changi. 

The Japanese built the first airfield and in 1945 it was re-occupied by the Army, but was then transferred to the RAF.

It is now Singapore International Airport

Main units: -

48 Sqn (24 Apr 1946 - 1 Jun 1949, 12 Dec 1949 - 1 Apr 1967, 2 Oct 1967 - 1 Sep 1971))

HQ ACSEA Communication Sqn (Jul - 30 Sep1946)

HQ Air Command Far East (30 Sep 1946 - 1 Jun 1949)

ACFE & AHQ Malaya Communication Sqn (30 Sep 1946 - 15 Jan 1947)

AHQ Malaya (1 Dec 1946 - 31 Aug 1957)

Far East Communication Flt (15 Jan - 15 Oct 1947)

52 Sqn (30 Jul 1947 - 21 Nov 1948, 27 Aug 1949 - 12 Jul 1950, 12 Jan 1951 - 1 Aug 1959, 17 Feb - 31 Dec 1969)

110 Sqn (15 Sep 1947 - 2 Jul 1948, 20 Nov 1948 - 27 May 1949, 27 Aug - 11 Dec 1949 , 12 -19 Jul 1950, 26 Oct 1951 -31 Dec 1957, 6 Mar 1969 - 15 Feb 1971)

Detachments: -

110 Sqn (Dec 1949 - Jul 1950)

205 Sqn (Sep 1949 - Mar 1958)

656 Sqn (Apr 1950 - Sep 1957)

38 Sqn RAAF (xxx 1950 -

Links to related sites/pages

Welcome to RAF Changi booklet, The Changi Murals, Book - The History of Changi, Aerial photo on Google Maps, RAF Changi Association website,

Main units: -

Fighter Leaders School (9 Feb - 16 Aug 1943)

87 Sqn (

88 Sqn (

107 Sqn (

125 Sqn (

137 Sqn (

234 Sqn (

245 Sqn (

247 Sqn (

263 Sqn (

286 Sqn (

417 Sqn (

421 Sqn (

533 Sqn (

Location

County: - Somerset

Lat/Long:   51:25:38N  02:20:31W

Grid Ref -  ST764700

Height Above Sea Level - 688 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1940

No 23 Group (1944)

Closed - 1946

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Atlantikwall website,  Control Tower website,

Main units: -

130 Sqn (

No 6130 Servicing Echelon (1 Dec 1945 - 24 Jan 1946)

165 Sqn (

No 6165 Servicing Echelon (30 Dec 1945 – 24 Jan 1946)

263 Sqn (

No 6263 Servicing Echelon (24 Jan - 1 Mar 1946)

303 Sqn (

No 6303 (Polish) Servicing Echelon (6 – 23 Mar 1946)

Location

County: - Berwickshire (Scottish Borders)

Lat/Long:   55:42:38N  02:22:30W

Grid Ref -  NT765463

Height Above Sea Level - 350 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1942

No 12 Group (1944)

Closed - 1946

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

214 Sqn (

218 Sqn (

620 Sqn (

No 23 Heavy Glider Maintenance Section (16 Aug 1943 - 15 Mar 1944)

No 1653 Heavy Conversion Unit (21 Nov 1943 - 27 Nov 1944)

301 Sqn (

No 4301 (Polish) Servicing Echelon (4 Sep 1945 – 10 Dec 1946)

304 Sqn (

No 4304 (Polish) Servicing Echelon (6 Sep 1945 – 10 Dec 1946)

Location

County: - Suffolk

Lat/Long:   52:10:53N  00:37:15E

Grid Ref -  TL790570

Height Above Sea Level - 410 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1942

No 3 Group (1944)

Closed - 1952

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Bomber Command 60th Anniversary website,  Control Tower website,

Main units: -

Location

County: - Buckinghamshire

Lat/Long:   51:50:00N  00:40:45W

Grid Ref -  SP910160

Height Above Sea Level - 300 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1942

USAAF (1944)

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

Sub-site, No 25 Maintenance Unit (9 Oct 1945 - xxx 1947)

Location

County: - Northamptonshire

Lat/Long:   52:18:15N  00:31:23W

Grid Ref -  TL006685

Height Above Sea Level - 292 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1941

USAAF (1944)

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Control Tower website,

Main units: -

Air Crew Disposal Unit (15 Oct 1943 - 23 Jun 1944)

982 (Balloon) Sqn (20 Apr - 6 May 1942)

HQ, No 275 (Balloon) Wing (23 Apr - May 1942)

983 (Balloon) Sqn (8 May - 9 Jul 1942)

984 (Balloon) Sqn (15 Jun - 17 Jul 1942)

985 (Balloon) Sqn (15 Jun - 2 Nov 1942)

953 (Balloon) Sqn (xxx - 31 Oct 1944)

Casualty Air Evacuation Sqn (27 Aug - 28 Aug 1952)

Location

County: - Surrey (Greater London)

Lat/Long:   51:21:46N  oo:17:56W Approx

Grid Ref - 

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

Location

County: - Bedfordshire

Lat/Long:   52:02:35N  00:23:24W

Grid Ref - 

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units (continued): -

26 Sqn (

54 Sqn (

174 Sqn (

183 Sqn (

184 Sqn (

222 Sqn (

238 Sqn (

245 Sqn (

247 Sqn (

308 Sqn (

501 Sqn (

504 Sqn (

No 6026 Servicing Echelon (22 May – 17 Jul 1945)

No 6183 Servicing Echelon (17 Jun – 15 Nov 1945)

No 6247 Servicing Echelon (20 Aug 1945 – 27 Jun 1946)

No 6054 Servicing Echelon (15 Nov 1945 – 28 Jun 1946)

HQ, No 129 Wing (29 Nov - 12 Dec 1945)

No 1 Fighter Command Servicing Unit (Dec 1945 - 2 Jan 1946)

HQ, No 124 Wing (xx - 30 Apr 1946)

Location

County: - Hampshire

Lat/Long:   51:08:38N  01:26:08W

Grid Ref -  SU393385

Height Above Sea Level - 300 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1940

No 11 Group (1944)

Closed - 1961

Notes

Main Units: -

No 3007 Servicing Echelon (23 Nov – 19 Dec 1941)

Glider Pilots'  Exercise Unit (8 Jan - 10 May  1943)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Atlantikwall website,  Control Tower website,

Main units: -

No 11 Stores Depot (1Apr 1937 - 20 Mar 1939)

No 11 Maintenance Unit (20 Mar 1939 - 27 Jan 1995)

Location

County: - Wiltshire

Lat/Long:   51:04:48N  02:02:11W

Grid Ref -  ST974312

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Atlantikwall website,

Main units: -

17 Sqn (

159 Sqn (

205 Sqn (

240 Sqn (

258 Sqn (

261 Sqn (

273 Sqn (

321 Sqn (

357 Sqn (

684 Sqn (

No 243 Air-Sea Rescue Unit (Nov 1942 - 19 May 1945)

No 235 Air-Sea Rescue Unit (9 Oct 1943 - 12 Oct 1945)

984 (Balloon) Sqn (10 Jan - 31 Dec 1944)

No 239 Air-Sea Rescue Unit (Jul - 19 Nov 1944)

No 1352 Air Sea Rescue Flt (10 - 21 Sep 1945)

Location

Country: - Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Lat/Long:  8:32:24N   81:10:55E

Height Above Sea Level:  6 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

It is now the home of the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy (2008)

Detachments**

No 5 Air-Sea Rescue Flt (Far East) (Apr - Jun 1945)

No 1350 Air Sea Rescue Flt (1 Jun - 19 Jul 1945)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

Location

County: - Essex

Lat/Long:   51:43:48N  00:17:40E

Grid Ref -  TL582055

Height Above Sea Level - 250 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1943

USAAF (1944)

Closed - 1946

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Control Tower website,

Main units: -

No 114 Storage sub-site (6 Jan 1946 - 1 Dec 1949)

Location

County: - Oxfordshire

Lat/Long:   52:08:40N  01:16:30W

Grid Ref -  SP495498

Height Above Sea Level - 457 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1941

No 92 Group (1944)

Closed - 1946

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Control Tower website,

Main units (continued): -

ASV Training Flt/Unit (Jan 1944 - 20 Jun 1945)

304 Sqn (19 Feb - 21 Sep 1944)

179 Sqn (6 - 21 Sep 1944, 23 Oct - 1 Nov 1944)

36 Sqn (26 Sep 1944 - 9 Mar 1945)

14 Sqn (24 Oct 1944 - 25 May 1945)

459 Sqn (14 Mar - 10 Apr 1945)

254 Sqn (29 Jun - 26 Nov 1945)

248 Sqn (19 Jul - 8 Dec 1945)

521 Sqn (3 Nov 1945 - 31 Mar 1946)

517 Sqn (30 Nov 1945 - 21 Jun 1946)

Coastal Command Fighter Affiliation Training Unit (6 Jan - 21 Feb 1946)

26 Sqn (24 Sep - 23 Oct 1946)

No 6026 Servicing Echelon (24 Sep - 23 Oct 1946)

691 Sqn (4 Oct 1946 - 11 Feb 1949)

No 203 Advanced Flying School (15 Oct 1947 - 19 Jul 1949)

17 Sqn (11 Feb 1949 - 13 Mar 1951)

5 Sqn (26 Oct 1949 - 13 Mar 1951)

Overseas Ferry Unit (17 Jul 1950 - 19 Mar 1951)

No 229 OCU (28 Mar 1951 - 2 Sep 1974) comprising: -

• 229 (Shadow) Sqn (28 Mar 1951 - Apr 1955)

• 127 (Shadow) Sqn (Nov 1957 - Nov 1958)

• 131 (Shadow) Sqn (Oct - Nov 1958)

• 145 (Shadow) Sqn (Nov 1958 - 1 Jun 1963)

• 234 (Shadow) Sqn (Nov 1958 - 2 Sep 1974)

• 63 (Shadow) Sqn (1 Jun 1963 - 2 Sep 1974)

• 79 (Shadow) Sqn (Jan 1967 - May 1972)

No 1 Radar Navigation Conversion Unit (xxx 1952 - xxx xxxx)

'E' Flt, 275 Sqn (18 Nov 1954 - 1 Sep 1959)

'A' Flt, 22 Sqn (Nov 1958 - Current)

Hunter Flt, Fighter Command Instrument Rating Sqn (24 Jul 1961 - 1 Jun 1963)

No 625 Volunteer Gliding School (3 Sep 1965 - Current)

No 2 Tactical Weapons Unit (1 Apr 1981 - 1 Apr 1992) comprising: -

• 63 (Reserve) Sqn (1 Apr 1981 - 1 Apr 1992)

• 151 (Reserve) Sqn (Sep 1981 - 1 Apr 1992)

Weapons Detachment, No 4 FTS (1 Oct 1994 - Oct 1995)

No 7 FTS (1 Apr 1992 - 1 Oct 1994)

Hawk Support Flt (1 Sep 1995 - 1996/97)

HQ 22 Sqn (22 Sep 1997 - Current)

No 48 Sqn RAF Regiment

Location

County: - Devon

4.5 miles W of Barnstable

Lat/Long:  51:05:18N  04:09:00W

Grid Ref:    SS492344

Height above sea level:  16ft

Operational Control: -

Opened 1940

No 19 Group (1944)

Notes

Now Royal Marines Base

Main units: -

No 3 (Coastal) OTU (27 Nov 1940 - 1 Aug 1941)

252 Sqn (1 Dec 1940 - 6 Apr 1941)

272 Sqn (3 Apr - 28 May 1941)

No 5 OTU (1 Aug 1941 - 16 May 1942)

No 785 (Ground Defence) Sqn (19 Dec 1941 - 1 Feb 1942)

No 2785 Sqn RAF Regiment (1 Feb 1942 - xxx xxxx)

No 1417 (Leigh Light Trials) Flt (8 Jan - 4 Apr 1942)

172 Sqn (4 Apr 1942 - 1 Sep 1944)

51 Sqn (6 May - 27 Oct 1942)

77 Sqn (6 May - 5 Oct 1942)

235 Sqn (16 Jul 1942 - 21 Jan 1943)

547 Sqn (10 Dec 1942 - 22 Jan 1943, 2 Apr - 31 May 1943)

404 Sqn (22 Jan - 2 Apr 1943)

59 Sqn (6 Feb - 27 Mar 1943)

407 Sqn (1 Apr - 3 Nov 1943, 2 Dec 1943 - 29 Jan 1944, 28 Apr - 24 Aug 1944, 11 Nov 1944- 4 Jun 1945)

612 Sqn (25 May - 1 Nov 1943, 3 Dec 1943 - 26 Jan 1944,1 Mar - 9 Sep 1944)

Links to related sites/pages

Officers Commanding, Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Chivenor was built on the site of the North Devon Airport, five miles west of Barnstable, with work beginning in May 1940.  It opened on 1 October 1940 within No 17 Group, becoming home to No 3 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit using Blenheim, Ansons and Beauforts to train crews for Coastal Command.  In July 1941, No 5 (C) OTU replaced No 3, but the same type of activities continued.  It was February 1942 before an operational squadron arrived at the station, when No 172 was formed to operate Wellingtons equipped with the new Leigh Light, which allowed aircraft to attack surfaced submarines at night.  The first such attack took place on the night of 4 June 1942, when Squadron Leader (later Air Commodore) ‘Jeaff’ Greswell attacked the Italian ‘Luigi Torelli’ in the Bay of Biscay.  Nos 51 and 77 Squadrons arrived in April and the congestion created was relieved when No 5 (C) OTU left in May and in June it was transferred to No 19 Group.

The Beaufighters of No 235 Squadron arrived in July 1942 and the Whitleys of Nos 51 and 77 left in October, to enable aircraft in transit to Gibraltar and the Middle East to refuel prior to the long sea crossing.  No 235 left in January 1943 to be replaced by No 404 (RCAF) Squadron and the following month No 59 Squadron equipped with Fortress IIs arrived, but soon left to be replaced by two more Wellington units, Nos 407 (RCAF) and No 547, the latter leaving in June to be replaced by No 612 Squadron.  Following runway repairs in later 1943, No 304 (Polish) Squadron arrived in early 1944 bringing the stations complement of Wellington units up to four.  These units were heavily involved the preparations for D-Day by constantly patrolling the Western Approaches, Bay of Biscay and English Channel to keep the U-boats at bay.  The units at Chivenor continued to operate until late 1944 by which time it was no longer in a suitable position to operate Wellingtons and the squadrons were either moved out or disbanded.

With the end of the war, changes happened at a pace with first a strike wing of Beaufighters (248 and 254 Squadrons) arriving to be replaced by various meteorological squadrons until No 21 Aircrew Holding Unit arrived in early 1946.  On 1 October the station was transferred to Fighter Command and became home to No 691 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Squadron, but in September 1947, this unit was replaced by No 203 Advanced Flying School, which remained until 1950.  Transport Command then took over the station to house No 1 Overseas Ferry Unit. 

However, in March Fighter Command returned and Chivenor became home to No 229 Operational Conversion Unit and a 24 year connection began.  Equipped with Meteor T Mk 7 and Vampire FB Mk 5s, 229 was responsible for training fighter pilots.  The Meteors and Vampires were replaced by Sabres and later Hunters and in June 1957, No 275 Squadron with its Sycamore helicopters arrived in the Search and Rescue role, being replaced eighteen months later by the Whirlwinds of No 22 Squadron.  229’s association with Chivenor finally ended in September 1974, when the Hunters moved to Brawdy, leaving No 22 Squadron’s Whirlwinds and the ATC  No 624 Volunteer Gliding School.

Various schemes were proposed for the station but in 1980, a second Tactical Weapons Unit, to train newly qualified pilots in the skills needed for their combat roles was established at Chivenor, equipped with the Hawk T Mk 1.  No 2 TWU remained at Chivenor until 1994, when its role was taken over by No 4 FTS at Valley and the station was handed over to the Royal Marines, although the Sea Kings of No 22 Squadron and No 624 VGS continue to operate from there at the time of writing.

Main units: -

No 7082 Servicing Echelon (15 May – 2 Oct 1945)

No 7045 Servicing Echelon (17 May – 14 Oct 1945)

No 60 Repair & Salvage Unit (xx - 9 Jul 1945)

No 126 Repair & Salvage Unit (17 Jul 1945 - xxx xxxx)

No 63 Personnel Transit Centre (10 Sep 1945 -  Jan 1946)

HQ, No 901 Wing (14 - 20 Nov 1945)

5 Sqn (

11 Sqn (

27 Sqn (

34 Sqn (

45 Sqn (

47 Sqn (

60 Sqn (

82 Sqn (

84 Sqn (

113 Sqn (

123 Sqn (

Location

Country: - India

Lat/Long:  13:12:40N  80:09:04W

Height Above Sea Level: 

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Main Units: -

No 12 Care & Maintenance Party (7 May 1943 - May 1944)

HQ, No 171 Wing (2 Jun - 5 Aug 1943)

No 5 Air Transit Section (16 Jul 1943 - 10 Mar 1944)

No 11 RAF Mobile Servicing Unit (Torpedo) (xxx - 15 Dec 1944)

No 1580 Calibration Flt (4 Aug 1944 - 10 Oct 1945)

No 21 Armament Practice Camp (23 Sep 1944 - 18 Jun 1945)

No 7005 Servicing Echelon (24 – 29 Oct 1944)

No 7123 Servicing Echelon (24 Oct – xxx 1944)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

Special Duties Flt (27 Apr 1940 - 10 Nov 1941)

Air Defence Research and Development Establishment (xxx 1940 - xxx 1942)

No 420 Flt (25 - 29 Sep 1940)

'H' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit  (11 Oct 1940 - 1 Jul 1941)

Location

County: - Hampshire

Lat/Long:   50:44:03N  01:44:53W

Grid Ref -  SZ186933

Height Above Sea Level - 20 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

No 11 Group (1944)

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  FAA Archive Website,

Main units: -

HQ, No 160 Wing (Dec 1956 - 1 Sep 1957)

Location

County: -

Lat/Long:   01:59:10N  157:20:59W

Height Above Sea Level -  5 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

It is now known as Cassidy International Airport

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units (continued): -

No 6124 Servicing Echelon (22 Mar – 23 Apr 1944)

604 Sqn (25 Apr - 3 May 1944)

No 6307 (Polish) Servicing Echelon (4 May 1944 – 27 Jan 1945)

307 Sqn (6 May 1944 - 27 Jan 1945)

288 Sqn (20 Nov 1944 - 13 Aug 1945)

No 6456 (RAAF) Servicing Echelon (30 Dec 1944 – 16 Mar 1945)

456 Sqn (31 Dec 1944 - 16 Mar 1945)

68 Sqn (16 Mar - 20 Apr 1945)

No 6068 Servicing Echelon (16 Mar – 20 Apr 1945)

125 Sqn (24 Apr - 20 Nov 1945)

No 6125 Servicing Echelon (26 Apr – 20 Nov 1945)

No 11 Fighter Command Servicing Unit (19 Feb - May 1945)

No 13 Fighter Command Servicing Unit (19 Feb - May 1945)

HQ Yorkshire Sector (Nov 1945 - 21 Jul 1947)

No 6264 Servicing Echelon (20 Nov 1945 – 7 Jan 1946, 7 Feb – 22 Jul 1946)

Leeds UAS (xxx 1946 - 22 Apr 1947, 1 May 1948 - 18 Mar 1954, 2 Nov 1959 - 12 Feb 1962, 1 May 1966 - 15 Mar 1969)

263 Sqn (2 Apr - 1 Jun 1946, 9 Jun - 31 Oct 1946, 17 Dec 1946 - 15 Apr 1947)

No 6263 Servicing Echelon (2 Apr – 1 Nov 1946, cadre from 25 Sep 1946, 17 Dec 1946 – 15 Apr 1947)

609 Sqn (10 May - 5 Nov 1946, 18 Oct 1950 - 10 Mar 1957)

129 Sqn (28 Jun - 1 Sep 1946)

No 6129 Servicing Echelon (28 Jun – 1 Sep 1946)

257 Sqn (1 Sep 1946 - 12 Jan 1947, 16 Feb - 15 Apr 1947)

No 6257 Servicing Echelon (1 Sep 1946 – 6 Jan 1947, cadre from 25 Sep 1946, 15 Apr – 5 Jul 1947)

No 6041 Servicing Echelon (16 Apr 1947 – 11 Jul 1948)

41 Sqn (17 Apr 1947 - 29 Mar 1951)

19 Sqn (23 Apr 1947 - 29 Jun 1959)

No 22 Gliding School (Feb 1948 - 15 May 1950)

23  Sqn (19 Nov 1949 - 22 Sep 1950)

141 Sqn (21 Nov 1949 - 23 Sep 1950)

Northern Sector (xxx 1956 - 21 Nov 1957)

No 60 Maintenance Unit (6 Jul 1959 - 1 Mar 1962)

HQ No 23 Group (14 Sep 1959 - 8 Mar 1962)

No 23 Group Communications Flt (14 Sep 1959 - 12 Feb 1962)

No 9 AEF (2 Nov 1959 - 8 Mar 1962, 2 May 1966 - 11 Aug 1975, 1 Apr 1996 - Current)

112 Sqn (1 Aug - 7 Nov 1960)

No 3 Mobile Glider Servicing Party (xxx xxxx - 1 Mar 1962

No 7 FTS (13 Mar 1962 - 30 Nov 1966, 2 Apr 1979 - 31 Mar 1992)

No 148 (SAM) Servicing Wing (1 Feb 1963 - 31 May 1964)

Yorkshire UAS (15 Mar 1969 - 11 Aug 1975, 1 Apr 1996 - Current)

Primary Flying Sqn (16 Jan 1967 - 15 Jan 1970)

Aircrew Officers' Training School (21 Jan 1968 - 19 May 1969)

No 2 FTS (16 Jan 1970 -2 Dec 1974)

Royal Navy Elementary Flying Training Sqn (Apr 1973 - - 29 Nov 1974)

Refresher Flying Flt (Apr 1984 - xxx 1991)

Location

County: - North Yorkshire

Lat/Long:  53:50:00N  01:12:00W

Grid Ref:    SE531378

Height above sea level:  27 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1937

No 12 Group (1944)

Notes

Main units: -

72 Sqn (1 Jun 1937 - 12 Jan 1940, 13 Jan - 2 Mar 1940, 9 May 1953 - 28 Jun 1959)

213 Sqn (1 Jul 1937 - 18 May 1938)

64 Sqn (24 Aug 1939 - 1 May 1940)

242 Sqn (30 Oct 1939 - 21 May 1940)

249 Sqn (16 - 17 May 1940, 8 Jul - 14 Aug 1940)

234 Sqn (22 May - 18 Jun 1940, 31 Dec 1943 - 28 Jan 1944)

87 Sqn (24 May - 5 Jul 1940)

73 Sqn (18 Jun - 5 Sep 1940)

No 4 Radio Maintenance Unit (1 Jul - 19 Aug 1940)

306 Sqn (29 Aug - 7 Nov 1940)

85 Sqn (5 Sep - 23 Oct 1940, 18 Sep 1957 - 30 Nov 1958)

71 Sqn (19 Sep - 23 Nov 1940)

No 54 OTU (25 Nov 1940 - 7 May 1942)

46 Sqn (28 Feb - 1 Mar 1941)

25 Sqn (17 May 1942 - 19 Dec 1943)

488 Sqn (25 Jun - 1 Sep 1942)

No 600 (AAF) Servicing Echelon (1 Sep – 14 Nov 1942)

600 Sqn (2 Sep - 18 Nov 1942)

183 Sqn (1 Nov 1942 - 1 Mar 1943)

308 Sqn (29 Apr - 5 Jul 1943)

No 3014 Servicing Echelon (29 Apr – 15 Dec 1943)

26 Sqn (21 Jul - 28 Dec 1943)

96 Sqn (6 Aug - 4 Sep 1943)

264 Sqn (18 Dec 1943 - 7 May 1944, 20 Nov - 2 Dec 1945, 14 Dec 1945 - 7 Jan 1946, 7 Feb - 22 Jul 1946, 19 Nov 1949 - 2 Oct 1950)

HQ No 21 Wing (1 Jan - 26 Apr 1944)

HQ No 141 Airfield (1 Jan - 5 May 1944)

124 Sqn (18 Mar - 23 Apr 1944)

Detachments: -

245 Sqn (Feb - May 1940)

No 7 Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Unit (Nov 1940 - Dec 1943)

288 Sqn (Nov 1941 - Nov 1944)

409 Sqn (May - Jun 1944)

Links to related sites/pages

Battle of Britain Anniversary website, Unofficial Website, Commanding Officers, Aerial photo on Google Maps,   Control Tower website,

One of the many expansion period airfields, it opened in June 1937, although construction did not end until 1939.  First occupants were No 72 Squadron with Gladiators and No 213 Squadron with Gauntlets, but 213 moved to Wittering in May 1938, being replaced by No 64 Squadron equipped with Demon two-seat fighters.   No 64 almost immediately re-equipped with Blenheim Ifs and in August 1939, No 72 re-equipped with Spitfire Is but in October left for Leconfield.  A detachment of No 245 Squadron arrived and in December, No 242 Squadron formed as a Hurricane unit at the station.

No 72 returned in January 1940 and No 64 converted to Spitfires in April but left in May, the same month No 242 left for Biggin Hill.  The latter squadron would be severely mauled in the Battle of France and come under the command of Douglas Bader at Coltishall during the Battle of Britain.  Originally under No 12 Group, Church Fenton became part of No 13 Group in September 1939 and was tasked with the defence of the East Coast of Yorkshire and the industrial West Riding and as a result was home to a number of squadrons, often being rotated out of the heavier fighting in the South of England for rest and re-equipment.  Such units included Nos 87 (Hurricanes), 234 (Spitfires), 73 (Hurricanes) as well as No 249 which formed there in May.  One of 249’s pilots was J B Nicholson, who became the only Fighter Command pilot to be awarded the Victoria Cross.  The station reverted to No 12 Group control in August 1940.

On 15 August 1940, Luftwaffe units from Norway, attacked airfields in Yorkshire and one of these was Church Fenton.  In August the first all-Polish fighter unit (No 306 Squadron) was formed here  and in September, the first ‘Eagle’ squadron (No 71) of American volunteers was also formed at Church Fenton.  Initially equipped with Brewster Buffaloes, No 71 began a slow work-up to operational status, but these proved totally unsuitable and in November were replaced by Hurricanes and at the end of that month, the squadron moved south to Kirton-in-Lindsey.

The station now became home to No 4 Operational Training Unit and was tasked with training night fighter pilots, for which it was equipped with Blenheims, Defiants, Masters, Havocs and Oxfords.   The OTU was renumbered No 54 in December and remained at Church Fenton until May 1942, when it moved to Charterhall.  The remainder of the war saw a steady stream of squadrons coming and going, many of them being night fighter units for defence of the industrial areas of Yorkshire.  Such squadrons included No 25 (Mosquito NF Is), No 488 (Beaufighter IIFs), No 600 (Beaufighters), No 308 (Spitfires), No 96 (Mosquitoes), No 26 (Mustangs), No 234 Squadron (Spitfires), No 124 (Spitfires), No 307 (Mosquitoes), No 288 (Spitfires), No 456 (RAAF) (Mosquitoes), No 68 (Mosquitoes) and No 125.

In August 1945, No 288 Squadron left and No 263 Squadron arrived from Acklington, equipped with the Gloster Meteor jet fighter, becoming one of the RAF’s first operational jet fighter stations.  No 125 Squadron had remained behind and was renumbered 264 in November.  No 263 left in June 1946, but was replaced by No 129 equipped with Spitfires, which was renumbered No 257 and then re-equipped with Meteors.  When 257 left in April 1947, Nos 41 and 19 Squadrons arrived, equipped with the Hornet twin engined fighter, and became resident at Church Fenton for a number of years.  No 264 moved out in July 1947 leaving the two day fighter units, but in November 1949, two night fighter units arrived, Nos 23 and 141 and then in March 1950, another day fighter unit, No 72, joined them.  However in September the two night fighter units moved out, but on 18 October, No 609 (West Riding) Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force arrived.  The photo on the left shows a post-war open day with a number of Mosquitoes arranged in front of the hangers.

Church Fenton said farewell to No 41 in March 1951 and by the end of the decade was home to No 19 (Hunters), No 72 (Javelins), No 609 Squadron having been disbanded in March 1957 and No 85 Squadron (Mosquitoes), which had arrived in September 1957 was disbanded on 31 October 1958.  The station was inadequate to take the new generation of supersonic fighters entering service in the early 1960’s, so on 28 June 1959, the two resident units moved to Leconfield. 

The station now transferred to Flying Training Command and became HQ for No 23 Group, No 60 MU, No 2 Police District and the Leeds University Air Squadron.  In 1962 No 7 Flying Training School was formed here, equipped with Jet Provosts and remained in operation until 1966.  In the same year Leeds UAS returned together with No 9 Air Experience Flight and the following year the Primary Flying Squadron from South Cerney, being renamed No 2 FTS in 1970.  In 1968 the Aircrew Officer Training School also arrived from South Cerney but moved to Henlow in 1969.  Also in 1969, the Royal Navy Helicopter Specialist Pilot Squadron moved from Linton-on-Ouse and was later re-named the RN Elementary Flying Training Squadron.  The Leeds UAS was merged with other local units to form the Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron but on 28 November 1974, No 2 FTS was closed and RNEFTS moved to Leeming, YUAS and No 9 AEF moved to Finningley and the station was placed on Care & Maintenance.

However, in 1979, the need for more pilots led to the station being reopened as No 7 FTS, once again, equipped with Jet Provosts.  In 1988, it became the first station to operate the Shorts Tucano turbo-prop basic trainer, but this was short-lived as No 7 FTS was disbanded and the station  placed on C&M, once again in in 1992.  The closure of RAF Finningley, led to Church Fenton being re-opened as a flying station and now housed the Grob Tutor T Mk 1s of YUAS and No 9 AEF.

Main units: -

No 18 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit (27 Oct 1942 - 3 Apr 1945)

No 2 Flying Training School (23 Jul 1947 - 6 Apr 1948)

No 68 Maintenance Unit (1 Dec 1954 - 27 Mar 1955)

Sub-site, No 68 Maintenance Unit (27 Mar 1955 - 30 Nov 1956)

Location

County: - Warwickshire

Lat/Long:   52:21:23N  01:20:15W

Grid Ref -  SP448736

Height Above Sea Level - 366 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1941

No 23 Group (1944)

Closed - 1955

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Officers Commanding,  Control Tower website,

Main units: -

'V' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit  (14 May 1939 - 1 Nov 1942)

'G' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit  (15 May 1939 - 1 Nov 1942)

'D' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit  (6 Sep 1939 - 1 Nov 1942)

'K' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit  (26 Aug  - 6 Sep 1940)

'O' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit  (5 Nov 1940 - May 1942, 23 Jul 1942 - 1 Nov 1942)

No 1602 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flt (1 Nov - 14 Dec 1942, 28 Feb - 1 Dec 1943)

No 1603 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flt (1 Nov - 16 Dec 1942, 27 Jul - 1 Dec 1943)

No 1604 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flt (1 Nov 1942 - 1 Dec 1943)

No 1618 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flt (1 Nov 1942 - 1 Dec 1943)

639 Sqn (1 Dec 1943 -

Location

County: -  Cornwall

Lat/Long:   50:53:08N  04:33:00W

Grid Ref -  SS205128

Height Above Sea Level - 400 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1939

No 70 Group (1944)

Closed - 1945

Notes

It is now a radio research station

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Atlantikwall website,

Main units: -

No 2 Flying Training School (1 Feb 1953 - 1 Jun 1954)

Location

County: - County Tyrone

Lat/Long:   54:37:10N  06:32:15W

Grid Ref -  H945755

Height Above Sea Level - 86 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1942

RAF Northern Ireland (1944)

Closed - 1955

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  FAA Archive Website,  Control Tower website,

Main units: -

203 Sqn (

205 Sqn (

321 Sqn (

356 Sqn (

684 Sqn (

136 Sqn (

No 7136 Servicing Echelon (7 Apr – 14 Oct 1945)

No 129 Staging Post (7 - 19 Apr 1945)

HQ, No 175 Wing (29 Jul - 30 Sep 1945)

99 Sqn (

No 7099 Servicing Echelon (1 Aug – 15 Nov 1945)

Location

Country: - Australian Territory in the Indian Ocean

Lat/Long:  12:11:24S  96:49:48E.

Height Above Sea Level: 

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Detachments**

No 1346 Air Sea Rescue Flt (20 Dec 1945 - xxx 1946)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units (continued): -

183 Sqn (24 Mar - 8 Apr 1943, 30 May - 5 Jun 1943)

175 Sqn (8 Apr - 29 May 1943)

151 Sqn (30 Apr - 16 Aug 1943, 17 Nov 1943 - 25 Mar 1944)

No 1498 Flt (14 Aug - 12 Sep 1943)

456 Sqn (17 Aug - 17 Nov 1943)

137 Sqn (2 - 23 Jan 1944)

131 Sqn (10 - 22 Feb 1944)

165 Sqn (10 Feb - 1 Mar 1944, 7 - 10 Mar 1944)

No 3026 Servicing Echelon (10 Feb – 10 Mar 1944)

No 6131 Servicing Echelon (22 – 24 Mar 1944)

No 6151 Servicing Echelon (22 – 25 Mar 1944)

219 Sqn (26 Mar - 1 Apr 1944)

No 6219 Servicing Echelon (26 Mar – 4 May 1944, 21 Feb – 12 Apr 1945)

488 Sqn (3 May - 9 Oct 1944)

604 Sqn (13 - 25 Jul 1944, 28 Jul - 6 Aug 1944)

HQ No 149 Wing (28 Jul - 7 Sep 1944)

410 Sqn (28 Jul - 9 Sep 1944)

No 6410 (RCAF) Servicing Echelon (16 Aug – 9 Sep 1944)

406 Sqn (17 Sep - 27 Nov 1944)

No 6406 (RCAF) Servicing Echelon (17 Sep – 27 Nov 1944)

No 6264 Servicing Echelon (30 Nov – 20 Dec 1944)

616 Sqn (17 Jan - 28 Feb 1945)

No 6616 Servicing Echelon (16 Jan – 28 Feb 1945)

No 10 Fighter Command Servicing Unit (19 Feb - May 1945)

29 Sqn (22 Feb - 11 May 1945)

No 1335 (Meteor) Conversion Unit (8 Mar - 27 Jul 1945)

504 Sqn (28 Mar - 10 Aug 1945)

No 6504 Servicing Echelon (28 Mar – 10 Aug 1945)

74 Sqn (16 May 1945 - 7 Jan 1946, 15 Feb - 2 Jun 1946, 9 Jun - 14 Aug 1946)

No 6074 Servicing Echelon (16 May 1945 – 14 Aug 1946)

245 Sqn (10 Aug 1945 - 18 Feb 1946., 20 Mar - 2 Jun 1946, 9 Jun - 16 Aug 1946)

No 6245 Servicing Echelon (10 Aug 1945 – 16 Aug 1946)

No 62 Group Communications Flt (7 Jan 1948 - 30 Jul 1952)

No 92 Gliding School (20 Feb 1948 - 1 Sep 1955)

No 49 Maintenance Unit (4 May 1948 - 1 Mar 1962)

662 Sqn (1 Feb 1949 - 10 Mar 1957)

No 1956 Reserve AOP Flt (1 Feb 1949 - 10 Mar 1957)

No 1963 Reserve AOP Flt (1 Feb 1949 - 10 Mar 1957)

HQ No 27 (Signals  Training) Group (15 Sep 1949 - 20 Jul 1953)

No 27 Group Communications Flt (15 Sep 1949 - 30 Jul 1952)

No 81 Group Communications Flt (1 Jan 1952 - - 15 Apr 1958)

Airborne Interception School (12 - 15 Jun 1952)

No 238 OCU (15 Jun 1952 - 1 Jan 1957)

RAF Colerne Communications Sqn (1 Aug 1952 -1 Jul 1957)

Sub-site, No 238 Maintenance Unit (11 Apr 1956 - 1 Jul 1958)

24 Sqn (1 Jan 1957 - 5 Jan 1968)

511 Sqn (1 May 1957 - 1 Sep 1958)

36 Sqn (1 Sep 1958 - 1 Jul 1967)

114 Sqn (13 Apr 1959 - 30 Sep 1961)

Air Engineering Sqn (xxx xxxx - xxx 1976)

Bristol UAS (Nov 1992 - Current)

No 3 AEF (xxx 1993 - Current)

No 2 Sqn RAF Regiment

Location

County: - Wiltshire

Lat/Long:  51:26:45N  02:16:45W

Grid Ref:    ST803715

Height above sea level:  500 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1940

No 10 Group (1944)

Notes

Main Units: -

No 39 Maintenance Unit (1 Jan 1940 - 1 Oct 1953)

No 10 Group Communication Flt (1 Jul 1940 - 17 Apr 1945)

87 Sqn (28 Nov - 18 Dec 1940, 7 Aug 1941 - 27 Jan 1942)

256 Sqn (6 Feb - 26 Mar 1941)

No 4 Aircraft Assembly Unit (xxx 1941 - 1 Mar 1942)

No 2 Aircraft Delivery Flt (18 Mar 1941 - 23 Jul 1943)

307 Sqn (26 Mar - 26 Apr 1941)

No 2 Supplementary School of Technical Training (31 Mar - 5 May 1941)

118 Sqn (7 - 9 Apr 1941)

501 Sqn (9 Apr - 25 Jun 1941)

600 Sqn (27 Apr - 18 Jun 1941, 27 Jun - 6 Oct 1941)

125 Sqn (16 Jun - 7 Aug 1941, 25 Jan - 14  May 1942)

316 Sqn (18 Jun - 2 Aug 1941)

317 Sqn (26 - 27 Jun 1941)

No 1454 (Fighter) Flt (7 Jul 1941 - 2 Sep 1942)

No 9 Refuelling and Re-arming Party (1 Aug 1941 - 14 Feb 1942)

No 1457 (Fighter) Flt (15 Sep - 15 Nov 1941)

89 Sqn (25 Sep - 19 Nov 1941)

No 3006 Servicing Echelon (14 Nov 1941 – 27 Jan 1942)

No 822 Sqn (19 Dec 1941 - 1 Feb 1942)

286 Sqn (30 Dec 1941 - 24 Jan 1942, 2 Mar - 30 Apr 1942, 31 Aug - 10 Oct 1942, 20 May - 28 Jul 1944)

417 Sqn (26 Jan - 24 Feb 1942)

263 Sqn (28 Jan - 10 Feb 1942)

No 2822 Sqn RAF Regiment (1 Feb 1942 - xxx xxxx)

No 1 Refuelling and Re-arming Party (14 Feb 1942 - 21 Feb 1944)

No 2800 Sqn RAF Regiment (xxx 1942 - xxx xxxx)

Fortress Flt (xxx - Oct 1942)

No 218 Maintenance Unit (1 Mar 1942 - 29 Feb 1948)

402 Sqn (4 - 17 Mar 1942)

No 3019 (RCAF) Servicing Echelon (8 – 17 Mar 1942)

No 3011 Servicing Echelon (xxx xxxx - 13 Sep 1942, xxx 1942 – 1 Mar 1943)

264 Sqn (1 May 1942 - 30 Apr 1943, 30 Nov - 1 Dec 1944)

19 Sqn (23 - 31 Jul 1942)

Special Installation Flt/Sqn (Aug 1942 - 29 Feb 1948)

No 203 Air-Sea Rescue Unit (1 Nov 1942 - xxx 1945)

184 Sqn (1 Dec 1942 - 1 Mar 1943)

Detachments: -

456 Sqn (Dec 1942 - Mar 1943)

No 124 Sqn (Mar - Jul 1943)

No 1487 Flt (Jan - Feb 1943)

285 Sqn (Aug 1943 - Nov 1944)

587 Sqn (Apr - Oct 1944)

Links to related sites/pages

Battle of Britain Anniversary website, Subterranea Britannica website, Officers Commanding, Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Control Tower website,

Main units (continued): -

11 Sqn (

30 Sqn (

230 Sqn (

328 Sqn (

HQ, No 222 Group (1 Sep1941 - 15 Oct 1945)#

No 243 Air-Sea Rescue Unit (1 Oct - Nov 1942, Sep - 14 Nov 1945)

No 6 Civil Repair Organisation (MT) (1 Jun - Oct 1943)

No 128 Repair & Salvage Unit (Jun - Jul 1943)

No 336 Maintenance Unit (30 Jun - 4 Aug 1943)

No 6 Civil Repair Organisation (India) (Oct 1943 - 22 May 1944)

HQ, No 181 Wing (26 Nov 1943 - 31 Dec 1945)

No 8 Transit Camp (28 Nov 1943 - xxx xxxx)

No 359 Maintenance Unit (22 May 1944 - 20 Jun 1945)

Marine Craft Repair Unit (xxx xxxx - 4 Dec 1944)

HQ, No 192 Wing (9 Aug 1944- 12 Feb 1945)

No 376 Maintenance Unit (4 Dec 1944 - 15 Jun 1946)

No 129 Staging Post (8 Dec 1944 - 31 Jan 1945)

Location

Country: - Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Lat/Long:  06:52N   79:52E  Approx

Height Above Sea Level: 

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

An airfield was constructed on Colombo racecourse

#Units located in and around Colombo have been included in this entry.

Main Units: -

No 89 Air Stores Park (4 Mar 1942 - 1 Feb 1946)

No 62 Repair & Salvage Unit (4 Jun 1942 - Jul 1943)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo of general area on Google Maps,

Main units (continued): -

No 7067 Servicing Echelon (30 Sep – 30 Nov 1944)

RAF Element HQ Combat Cargo Task Force (2 Nov 1944 - 27 Feb 1945)

HQ, No 900 Wing (1 Jan - 13 Nov 1945)

HQ Combat Cargo Task Force Communication Flt (5 - 27 Feb 1945)

No 4238 Servicing Echelon (22 Feb – 2 Jul 1945)

HQ, No 232 Group (24 Feb - Oct 1945)

No 232 Group Communication Flt (27 Feb - 26 Oct 1945)

No 9 Casualty Air Evacuation Unit (26 Feb - 9 Apr 1945)

No 10 Casualty Air Evacuation Unit (26 Feb - 9 Apr 1945)

No 14 Casualty Air Evacuation Unit (25 Mar - May 1945)

No 224 Group Communication Flt (xx Mar - 12 Jun 1945)

No 11 Casualty Air Evacuation Unit (23 Apr - 1 Jun 1945)

No 15 Casualty Air Evacuation Unit (14 May - 9 Aug 1945)

No 203 Staging Post (13 Jul 1945 - 25 Feb 1946)

30 Sqn (

31 Sqn (

62 Sqn (

67 Sqn (

79 Sqn (

96 Sqn (

113 Sqn (

134 Sqn (

146 Sqn (

152 Sqn (

194 Sqn (

238 Sqn (

681 Sqn (

684 Sqn (

Location

Country: - Bangladesh (India)

Lat/Long:  23:26N    91:11E  Approx

Height Above Sea Level: 

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Main units: -

No 11 Refuelling and Re-arming Party (India) (27 Dec 1942 - 30 Jun 1943)

HQ, No 165 Wing (31 May - 29 Oct 1943, 24 May - 1 Oct 1944)

No 86 Refuelling and Re-arming Party (30 Jun - 18 Dec 1943)

No 333 Maintenance Unit (5 Jul 1943 - 20 Feb 1945)

No 12 Air Transit Section (16 Jul 1943 - 1 Sep 1944)

HQ, Bengal Command (31 Oct - 19 Dec 1943)

AHQ Bengal Communication Unit (31 Oct - 19 Dec 1943)

No 5 Mechanical Transport Light Repair Depot (12 Nov - Dec 1943)

No 150 Repair & Salvage Unit (1 Dec 1943 - 31 Aug 1944)

HQ, No 171 Wing (13 Dec 1943 - 28 Jan 1944)

Eastern Air Command (15 Dec 1943 - 19 Nov 1944)

Eastern Air Command Communication Flt (15 Dec 1943 - 1 Jun 1945)

HQ, Tactical Air Force (Bengal) (19 - 28 Dec 1943)

Tactical Air Force (Bengal) Communication Sqn (19 - 28 Dec 1943)

HQ, 3rd Tactical Air Force (28 Dec 1943 - 4 Dec 1944)

3rd Tactical Air Force Communication Sqn (28 Dec 1943 - 4 Dec 1944)

No 82 Refuelling and Re-arming Party (6 May - Jun 1944)

No 85 Refuelling and Re-arming Party (Jun - 25 Nov 1944)

No 79 Staging Post (1 Sep 1944 - 26 Jun 1945)

No 7 Casualty Air Evacuation Unit (Sep - 5 Dec 1944)

No 8 Casualty Air Evacuation Unit (Sep 1944 - 14 Feb 1945)

Detachments**

No 79 Refuelling and Re-arming Party (Jun - Dec 1943)

No 146 Repair & Salvage Unit (xxx - xxx 1944)

No 13 Casualty Air Evacuation Unit (1945)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo of the general area on Google Maps,

Main units: -

Location

County: - Wiltshire

Lat/Long:   51:26:06N  01:58:16W

Grid Ref - 

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, RAF Yatesbury Association website, RAF Compton Bassett website,

Main units (continued): -

139 Sqn (4 Nov 1946 - 1 Apr 1950)

No 231 OCU (15 Mar 1947 - 4 Dec 1949)

149 Sqn (17 Oct 1950 - 22 May 1954)

15 Sqn (4 Feb 1951 - 19 May 1954)

44 Sqn (9 Apr 1951 - 20 May 1954)

57 Sqn (2 Apr 1952 - 22 May 1954, 15 Nov 1956 - 9 Dec 1957)

Bomber Command Jet Conversion Unit (7 Apr - 16 Nov 1953)

40 Sqn (28 Oct 1953 - 24 Feb 1954)

249 (Designate) Sqn (6 Aug - 15 Oct 1957)

Bomber Command Air Crew Holding Unit (9 Dec 1957 - 1 Apr 1959)

9 Sqn (2 Jun 1959 - 13 Jul 1961, 1 Mar 1962 - 10 Nov 1964)

12 Sqn (2 Jul 1959 - 13 Jul 1961, 1 Jul 1962 - 17 Nov 1964)

35 Sqn (1 Dec 1962 - 2 Nov 1964)

No 5 School of Technical Training (1 Mar 1967 - 1 Aug 1968)

6 Sqn (13 Jan 1969 - 30 Sep 1974)

41 Sqn (1 Apr 1972 - 31 Mar 1977)

111 (Designate) Sqn (1 Jul - 1 Oct 1974)

111 Sqn (1 Oct 1974 - 3 Nov 1975)

29 (Designate) Sqn (1 Oct 1974 - 1 Jan 1975)

29 Sqn (1 Jan 1975 - 31 Oct 1998)

23 (Designate) Sqn (6 Oct - 1 Nov 1975)

23 Sqn (1 Nov 1975 - 25 Feb 1976)

Battle of Britain Memorial Flt (1 Mar 1976 - Current)

56 Sqn (29 Jun 1976 - 1 Jul 1992)

No 229 OCU (1 Nov 1984 - 1 Jul 1992)

Tornado F3 Operational Evaluation Unit (1 Apr 1987 - 1 Apr 2004)

5 Sqn (1 Jan 1988 - 28 Sep 2002)

56 (Reserve) Sqn (1 Jul 1992 - Current)

Fast Jet  & Weapons OEU (1 Apr 2004 - 3 Apr 2006)

3 Sqn (1 Apr 2006 - Current)

6 Sqn (3 Apr 2006 - Current)

41 Sqn (3 Apr 2006 - Current)

No 121 Expeditionary Air Wing (1 Apr 2006 - Current)

Location

County: - Lincolnshire

Lat/Long:  53:05:30N  00:10:15W

Grid Ref:  TF225565

Height above sea level:  25ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1940

No 5 Group (xxx 1940 - xxx xxxx)

No 1 Group (xxx xxxx - Current)

Notes

Main units: -

106 Sqn (22 Feb 1941 - 30 Sep 1942)

97 Sqn (10 Mar 1941 - 2 Mar 1942, 18 Apr 1944 - 7 Nov 1946)

No 5 Group Target Towing Flt (2 Apr 1941 - 7 Jan 1942)

No 97 Conversion Flt (20 Jan - 21 Aug 1942)

No 106 Conversion Flt (6 May 16 Oct 1942)

No 1485 Flt (30 Oct 1941 - 1 Aug 1942)

617 Sqn (30 Aug 1943 -10 Jan 1944)

No 2756 Sqn RAF Regiment

HQ, No 54 Base (1 Jan 1944 -  1 Nov 1945)

619 Sqn (9 Jan - 17 Apr 1944)

61 Sqn (12 Jan - 15 Apr 1944)

83 Sqn (18 Apr 1944 - 5 Nov 1946)

HQ No 348 Wing (25 - 29 May 1945)

HQ No 349 Wing (25 - 29 May 1945)

HQ No 551 Wing (25 May Aug 1945)

HQ No 552 Wing (25 May - 28 Aug 1945)

Highball Trials Flt (1 Jun 1946 - 7 Nov 1947)

109 Sqn (4 Nov 1946 - 31 Mar 1950)

Detachments:**

6 Sqn (Apr 1956 - Jul 1957)

45 Sqn (Nov 1957)

Links to related sites/pages

Bomber Command 60th Anniversary website,  RAF-Lincolnshire.info, Commanding Officers, Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Control Tower website,

Main units: -

No 1 Marine Craft Training School (1 Jun 1942 - Feb 1947)

Location

County: - Wigtownshire (Dumfries and Galloway)

Lat/Long:   55:00:04N  05:09:36W Approx

Grid Ref - 

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo of the general area on Google Maps,

Main units: -

Location

County: - Wiltshire

Lat/Long:   51:25:12N  02:13:19W

Grid Ref - 

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units (continued): -

No 9 Maintenance Unit (15 Mar 1939 - 22 Jun 1956)

HQ, No 20 Wing (1940)

No 1416 Flt (26 May - 27 Jun 1940)

No 5 Aircraft Storage Unit (xxx - 15 Mar 1938)

No 12 Ferry Pilots Pool ATA (Jul 1941 - 1945)

No 804 (Ground Defence) Sqn (19 Dec 1941 - 1 Feb 1942)

No 2804 Sqn RAF Regiment (1 Feb - xxx 1942)

Glider Test And Ferry Flt (No 9 MU) (14 Oct 1942 - Aug 1945)

No 15 Radio School (26 Jul 1944 - 31 Jan 1946)

No 42 Gliding School (

No 106 Personnel Reception Centre POW) (7 Mar 1945 - 23 Aug 1948)

Officer Cadet Training Unit (May 1956 - Jun 1948)

No 58 Maintenance Unit (xxx 1950 - Dec 1952)

No 5 Initial Training School (6 Oct 1951 - 5 Jul 1952)

No 633 Volunteer Gliding School (1 Sep 1955 - Current)

No 236 Maintenance Unit (19 Mar 1956 - 29 Apr 1966)

No 8 AEF (Oct 1958 - 1 Feb 1960, 1978 - 1979, 1 Apr 1996 - Current)

School of Photography (26 Aug 1964 -1 Apr 1972)

Joint School of Photography (1 Apr 1972 - Current)

University of Birmingham Air Sqn (Mar 1978 - Current)

No 1 School of Technical Training (24 Nov 1994 - Current)

Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering ( 1 Apr 2004 - Current)

Location

County: - Shropshire

Lat/Long:  52:38:30N  02:18:15W

Grid Ref:  SJ792046

Height above sea level: 260ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1938

No 24 Group (1944)

Personnel & Training Command (2005)

Renamed - 1 Apr 2004

Notes

On 1 Apr 2004, the station became the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering and RAF Cosford ceased to exist

Main units: -

No 2 School of Technical Training (15 Jul 1938 - 24 Nov 1994)

Links to related sites/pages

Station Website,  Officers Commanding, Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Control Tower website,

Today Cosford is probably best known as the home of the RAF Museum, Cosford, which acts as a second centre for displaying the RAF’s heritage as well as providing restoration and conservation facilities to the RAF Musuem’s collections.  It originally opened in August 1938 as No 2 School of Technical Training to cope with the increased demands of an expanding air force.  No 9 Maintenance Unit moved in on 15 March 1939 and remained for 20 years, being replaced by No 236 MU in 1959, which disbanded in 1966.

Cosford never housed any operational units during World War Two, but the MU prepared large numbers of Spitfires, Wellingtons and later various gliders (Horsa and Hadrian) for issue to RAF squadrons.  To deliver these aircraft No 12 Ferry Pilots’ Pool of the Air Transport Auxiliary formed here in July 1941.  A RAF Hospital is also located at Cosford and in 1994 No 1 School of Technical Training moved to Cosford from its traditional home at Halton.  On 1 April 2004, Cosford became the home of the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering and the station was renamed DCAE Cosford.

Main units (continued): -

HQ, Troop Carrier Command, USAAF (24 Sep - 1 Dec 1943)

HQ, 50th Troop Carrier Wing, USAAF (xxx - 18 Nov 1943)

316th Troop Carrier Group, USAAF (16 Feb 1944 - xxx 1945)

9th AFTCC Pathfinder School (Feb - 22 Mar 1944)

No 1 Bomber Defence Training Flt (17 Sep 1945 - 7 Mar 1946)

No 1668 Heavy Conversion Unit (15 Sep 1945 - 7 Mar 1946)

No 16 Operational Training Unit (22 Mar 1946 - 30 Apr 1947)

No 204 Advanced Flying School (1 May 1947 - 1 Mar 1948)

No 7 Flying Training School (16 Mar 1948 - 24 Mar 1954)

No 44 Gliding School (7 Jul 1951 - 1 Jul 1955)

15 Sqn (19 May 1954 - 15 Feb 1955, 1 Sep 1958 - 31 Oct 1964)

44 Sqn (20 May 1954 - 20 Feb 1955)

57 Sqn (22 May 1954 - 19 Feb 1955)

149 Sqn (22 May - 24 Aug 1954)

10 Sqn (15 Apr 1958 - 1 Mar 1964)

232 OCU ‘C’ Flight (1 Nov 1961 – 31 Mar 1963) [often mis-quoted as Victor (B2) Training Flt]

9 Sqn (10 Nov 1964 - 26 Feb 1969)

12 Sqn (17 Nov 1964 - 31 Dec 1967)

115 Sqn (18 Apr 1969 - 23 Feb 1976)

98 Sqn (17 Apr 1969 - 27 Feb 1976)

360 Sqn (21 Apr 1969 - 5 Aug 1975)

No 231 OCU  (19 May 1969 – 18 Feb 1976)

Argosy Training Flight  (8 Dec 1970 – 22 Jan 1971)

Tri-National Tornado Training Unit (29 Jan 1981 - 31 Mar 1999)

4 Sqn (13 Apr 1999 - 31 Mar 2010)

3 Sqn (11 May 1999 - 31 Mar 2006)

504 Sqn RAuxAF   (1 Oct 1999 – Current)

1 Sqn (28 Jul 2000 - Current)

No 122 Expeditionary Air Wing (1 Apr 2006 - Current) 

Location

County: - Rutland/Leicestershire

Lat/Long:  52:44:8N  00:38:56W

Grid Ref:  SK913162

Height above sea level 461ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1938

9th USAAF (1944 - 1 Jul 1945)

RAF - 1 Jul 1945

No 1 Group (2005)

Notes

Runways were laid in August 1943, after which the station became USAAF Station 489.  It was handed back to the RAF on 1 July 1945

Main units: -

35 Sqn (20 Apr 1938 - 25 Aug 1939, 7 Nov 1964 - 15 Jan 1969)

207 Sqn (20 Apr 1938 - 24 Aug 1939)

185 Sqn (24 Aug 1939 - 17 May 1940)

106 Sqn (1 Sep - 6 Oct 1939)

No 14 Operational Training Unit (8 Apr 1940 - 1 Aug 1943)

No 736 (Ground Defence) Sqn (19 Dec 1941 - 1 Feb 1942)

No 2736 Sqn RAF Regiment (1 Feb 1942 - xxx xxxx)

No 34 Heavy Glider Maintenance Section (16 Aug 1943 - 15 Mar 1944)

Links to related sites/pages

Station Website, Bomber Command 60th Anniversary website, Commanding Officers, Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Location

County: - East Riding of Yorkshire

Lat/Long:  53:50:43N  00:06:54W

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

During WW2 the site was used for tank training.

Main units: -

Air Weapons Range

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

No 422 (Fighter Interception) Flt (9 - 18 Dec 1940)

96 Sqn (18 Dec 1940 - xx xxx xxxx)

307 Sqn (

RLG for No 11 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit (16 Apr 1944 - 8 Feb 1945)

No 90 Initial Training Wing (10 May - 28 Oct 1944)

No 4 Air Crew Holding Unit (14 Jun 1945 - 14 Aug 1946)

Sub-site, No 61 Maintenance Unit (20 Sep 1945 - 19 Mar 1954)

No 20 Personnel Transit Centre (5 Apr 1947 - 15 Dec 1954)

Location

County: - Cheshire

Lat/Long:   53:13:23N  02:24:00W

Grid Ref -  SJ730697

Height Above Sea Level - 150 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1940

No 21 Group (1944)

Closed - 1945

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

Main units: -

AI Conversion Flt (29 Oct 1943 - xxx 1944)

No 2 Aircraft Delivery Flt (23 Jul 1943 - 31 Jul 1944)

No 58 Repair & Salvage Unit (8 May - 12 Aug 1944)

Wellington Conversion Flt (24 Apr 1944 - xxx xxxx)

Pilots Replacement Unit (1 Jun - xxx 1944)

No 16 Air Crew Holding Unit (14 Jun - 30 Nov 1945)

2 Sqn (

4 Sqn (

35 Sqn (

62 Sqn (

82 Sqn (

108 Sqn (

181 Sqn (

183 Sqn (

207 Sqn (

239 Sqn (

Location

County: - Bedfordshire

Lat/Long:   52:04:08N  00:37:15W

Grid Ref -  SP946421

Height Above Sea Level - 336 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1937

No 12 Group (1944)

Closed - 1952

Notes

Became the College of Aeronautics and is now Cranfield University

*This unit is not confirmed

Main Units: -

No 1 Group Pool (14 - 18 Sep 1939)

Mk VIII AI Conversion Flt (MAAF)* (28 May - Jun 1943)

No 3501 Servicing Echelon (xxx - xxx 1943)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Officers Commanding,  Control Tower website,

Main units (continued): -

No 57 Training Depot Station (27 Jul 1918 - 13 Mar 1919)

No 58 Training Depot Station (27 Jul 1918 - 13 Mar 1919)

RAF (Cadet) College (23 Dec 1919 - 1 Feb 1929)

No 2 School of Technical Training (16 Mar 1920 - Apr 1921)

Fire and Rescue Training Unit (xxx 1922 - Jul 1940)

RAF College (1 Feb 1929 - Sep 1939, 16 Oct 1946 - Current)

Electrical & Wireless School (Aug 1929 - 1 Nov 1938)

No 1 Electrical & Wireless School (1 Nov 1938 - 26 Aug 1940)

RAF College Service Flying Training School (Sep 1939 - 20 Mar 1944)

No 17 SFTS (20 Mar 1944 -

HQ, No 21 Group (1 Dec 1938 - 28 Jul 1944)

No 21 Group Communications Flt (xxx 1940 - Nov 1944)

HQ, No 26 Group (12 Feb - 23 Mar 1940)

No 1 Signals School (26 Aug 1940  - 1 Jan 1943)

No 2 Flying Instructors School (10 Sep - 14 Nov 1940)

No 2 Central Flying School (1 Nov 1940 - 15 Jun 1941)

No 1 Radio School (10 Mar 1941 - 9 Oct 1950)

No 806 (Ground Defence) Sqn (19 Dec 1941 - 1 Feb 1942)

No 2806 Sqn RAF Regiment (1 Feb 1942 - xxx xxxx)

No 8 Radio School (1 Jan 1943 - 24 Jun 1946)

Officers Advanced Training School (14 Feb - 1 Nov 1944)

No 17 Service FTS (20 Mar 1944 - 1 May 1945)

No 1 Officers Advanced Training School (1 Nov 1944 - 27 Aug 1945))

No 19 Service FTS (1 May 1945 - 17 Apr 1947)

No 6 Radio School  (9 Oct 1950 - 1 Dec 1952)

Air Crew Transit Unit (28 Dec 1951 - 23 Oct 1953)

Central Flying School (12 Apr 1976 - 5 Sep 1977, 31 May 1995 - Current)

No 3 Flying Training School (1 Feb 1989 - Current)

RAF College Air Sqn (1 Apr 1992 - Current)

Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre (Sep 1992 - Current)

HQ Air Cadets (10 Aug 1995 - Current)

RAF Aerobatic Team (The Red Arrows) (20 Feb 1996 - Dec 2000)

Navigator and Airman Aircrew School (1 Jan 1997 - Current)

Location

County: - Lincolnshire

Lat/Long:  53:02:15N  00:29:30W

Grid Ref:  TF025515

Height above sea level:  200ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1916

RNAS (1916 - 1918)

No 12 Group (1918 - 1920)

RAF Cranwell (1920 - 1936)

No 27 Group (1944)

Personnel & Training Command (2005)

Notes

Cranwell has two airfields, the main one being the North one (to which the above details apply).

Main units: -

RNAS Central Training Establishment (xxx 1916 - 1 Apr 1918)

Wireless Operators School (xxx 1918 - 24 Aug 1918)

HQ, No 12 Group (1 Apr 1918 - 1 Nov 1919)

No 201 Training Depot Station (1 Apr - 27 Jul 1918)

No 202 Training Depot Station (1 Apr - 27 Jul 1918)

No 213 Training Depot Station (17 Jun - 27 Jul 1918)

HQ, No 59 Wing (27 Jul 1918 - 24 Jun 1919)

No 56 Training Depot Station (27 Jul 1918 - 13 Mar 1919)

Links to related sites/pages

Station Website, Station website, History of RAF Cranwell, RAF-Lincolnshire.info, Commanding Officers, Aerial photo on Google Maps, The RAF Cranwell Apprentice Association,

When the Royal Flying Corps was formed in 1912, it was established with two Wings, the Military Wing and the Naval Wing, and a Central Flying School.  The intention was that officers should learn to fly at their own expense and then undertake a military flying course at the CFS.  This procedure continued until the outbreak of war, by which time the Naval Wing had become the Royal Naval Air Service and the RNAS wanted to run its training course, which it did at RNAS Eastchurch.  However by the end of 1915 the demands for aircrew were growing to such an extent that a new location for the RNAS’ training was needed and a site was chosen south of Lincoln, near Sleaford next to the village of Cranwell.

On 1 April 1916, The RNAS Training Establishment, HMS Daedalus, opened at Cranwell and until taken over by the RAF, trained practically every RNAS pilot, both aeroplane and airship.  On 1 April 1918, the station was taken over by the RAF and even then was one of the largest station in the country, housing units such as the Airship Training Wing, Boys’ Training Wing, PT School and Wireless Operator’s School as well as Nos 201, 202 and 213 Training Depot Stations.

Cranwell was one of the stations retained by the RAF after World War 1 and when Trenchard was looking for a site to establish a Officer Cadet College, he chose Cranwell with the first course starting on 5 February 1920.  During a two year course officer cadets were trained to be RAF officers and pilots and at the end of the training were granted permanent commissions in the RAF, the intention being that these officers would form the permanent backbone to the new service, whilst the bulk of the officer pilots would be provided by those holding a five year short service commission.

Cranwell, together with RAF Halton, held Command status in the RAF, which meant that their Commandants were directly responsible to the Air Ministry and equal in status to the commanders of the operational commands.  As well as the RAF College, Cranwell was also home to numerous other units over the years, including the Electrical and Wireless School, the School of Store Accounting and Storekeeping, the RAF Hospital and also undertook the training of Apprentices until RAF Halton was able to assume the role solely. 

During its early life, RAF Cranwell had to make do with the building left over from the war, but the 1930’s saw a building programme begin resulting in the opening of College Hall in 1933.  In 1936, Cranwell lost its command status and became a Group within Training Command and on the outbreak of war Officer Cadet entries we halted, the last being the 1940 entry and the members of this course graduated in July having undertaken a very shortened course. 

During World War Two, RAF Cranwell continued in the training role as the RAF College Flying Training School, later renamed No 17 Service FTS in March 1943.  It also housed No 2 Flying Instructor’s School (later retitled No 2 CFS), No 3 (C) OTU and No 1 Officers Advance Training School.  In 1941 Cranwell witnessed the first flight in Britain of a jet powered aircraft, when the Gloster E28/39 powered by the Whittle jet engine took off from the South airfield, the designer of the engine, Frank Whittle, having developed the idea whilst a Flight Cadet at Cranwell in the 1920’s.

After the war, No 19 SFTS continued to operate from the airfield and in April 1947, the RAF College re-opened and when the Secretarial Branch Training Establishment and Equipment Officers’ School moved out in 1948 followed by No 6 Radio School in 1950, Cranwell was only responsible for the training of officers.  In 1966 the RAF Technical College moved to Cranwell from Henlow and in 1974 the College of Air Warfare joined it.  Although the training of Flight Cadets has ceased, Cranwell is responsible for the training of all RAF officers prior to their specialist training and many of them remain at Cranwell for this phase as well.  Today Cranwell is home to Department of Initial Officer Training, Department of Air Warfare, HQ Air Cadets, and undertakes the training of Engineer officers and all non-commissioned aircrew in the RAF.

Main units: -

78 Sqn (

419 Sqn (

427 Sqn (

431 Sqn (

434 Sqn (

No 78 Conversion Flt (20 Jan - 12 Jun 1942)

No 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit (10 May - 7 Dec 1943)

Location

County: - North Yorkshire

Lat/Long:   54:27:15N  01:33:45W

Grid Ref -  NZ285068

Height Above Sea Level - 182 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1941

No 6 (RCAF) Group (1944)

Closed - 1946

Notes

It is now a motor racing circuit

Detachments

No 6 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (21 Jan - 24 Feb 1943)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Bomber Command 60th Anniversary website,

Main units: -

No 59 Operational Training Unit (20 Feb 1941 - 10 Aug 1942)

No 1383 (Transport) Conversion Unit (1 Aug 1945 - 6 Aug 1946)

Sub-site, No 14 Maintenance Unit (1 Apr 1952 - xxx xxxx)

Location

County: - Cumberland (Cumbria)

Lat/Long:   54:56:14N  02:48:30W

Grid Ref -  NY482606

Height Above Sea Level - 155 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1941

No 44 Group (1944)

Closed -

Notes

It is now Carlisle Airport

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,  Control Tower website,

Main units (Church Stanton) (continued): -

302 Sqn (

306 Sqn (

312 Sqn (

313 Sqn (

316 Sqn (

504 Sqn (

Main units (Culmhead): -

126 Sqn (

131 Sqn (

165 Sqn (

286 Sqn (

587 Sqn (

610 Sqn (

No 3026 Servicing Echelon (10 – 22 Mar 1944)

No 6165 Servicing Echelon (22 Mar – 2 Apr 1944)

No 6610 Servicing Echelon (7 Apr – 24 May 1944)

No 6616 Servicing Echelon (16 May – 21 Jul 1944)

No 6126 Servicing Echelon (22 May – 3 Jul 1944)

No 6131 Servicing Echelon (24 May – 28 Aug 1944)

Glider Instructors Sqn (9 Dec 1944 - 24 Jul 1945)

No 67 Maintenance Unit (3 Sep 1945 - 30 Apr 1946)

Location

County: - Somerset

Lat/Long:   50:55:45N  03:07:45W

Grid Ref -  ST208154

Height Above Sea Level - 864 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1941

No 10 Group (1944)

Closed - 1946

Notes

Originally known as Church Stanton

Main units (Church Stanton): -

Research Department Flt (15 Feb 1942 - 12 Mar 1944)

No 3038 Servicing Echelon (26 Jun – 8 Jul 1943)

No 501 (AAF) Servicing Echelon (30 Jun – 14 Aug 1943)

No 3026 Servicing Echelon (17 Sep 1943 – 10 Feb 1944)

66 Sqn (

131 Sqn (

154 Sqn (

165 Sqn (

234 Sqn (

Detachments**

No 3 Glider Training Unit (9 Dec 1944 - 24 Jul 1945)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, FAA Archive Website, Atlantikwall website,  Control Tower website, Culmhead Wing Leaders,