Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

 

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RAF Stations - H

[Definition of a RAF Station]


[Habbaniya | Hadeira | Haifa | Hal Far | Halesworth | Halfpenny Green | Halton | Halton Hospital | Hambuhren | Hamworthy | Hampstead Norris | Handforth | Hardwick | Harlaxton | Harrington | Harrogate | Harrow | Harrowbeer | Hartford Bridge | Hartland Point | Harwell | Hastings | Hatfield | Haverfordwest | Hawarden | Hawkinge | Headcorn | Headley Court | Heathrow | Hednesford | Helensburgh | Heliopolis | Helwan | Hemswell | Hendon | Henlow | Hereford | Hethal | Hibaldstow | High Ercall | High Wycombe | Hinton in the Hedges | Hixon | Hmawbi | Hockley Heath | Holbeach | Holme on Spalding MoorHolmpton | Holmsley South | Holyhead | Ho Mun Tin | Honeybourne | Hong Kong | Honiley | Honington | Hooton ParkHorham | Hornchurch | Horne | Horsham St Faith | Hucknall | Hullavington | Hunmanby Moor | Hunsdon | Hurn | Husbands Bosworth | Hustedt | Hutton Cranswick | Hythe]

Evidence so far has only shown those in RED as satellites not self administering stations

RAF Habbaniya

Station badge - RAF Habbaniya

Main units (continued): -

No 35 Air Stores Park (Mar 1942 - 1 May 1943)

No 1434 (Photographic Survey) Flt (23 Mar - 5 Apr 1942, 28 Nov - 15 Dec 1942)

No 134 Maintenance Unit (24 Mar - 1 May 1942, 2 Apr 1943 - 10 Feb 1949)

No 4  (Middle East) Ferry Control (1 Jul 1942 - 1 Feb 1944)

No 26 Personnel Transit Centre (1 Jul 1942 - 15 Jun  1944)

No 1415 Meteorological Flt (18 Jul 1942 - 5 Apr 1944, 26 Jun - 9 Jul 1944, 9 Dec 1944 - 15 May 1946)

HQ, Persian Group (1 - 18 Sep 1942)

HQ, No 217 (Paiforce) Group (18 Sep - 6 Oct 1942)

HQ, No 218 (Maintenance) Group (1 Oct - 15 Nov 1942)

No 137 Maintenance Unit (1 - xx Oct 1942)

No 40 Staging Post (1 Oct 1942 - 1 Jun 1946)

123 Sqn (9 - 22 Oct 1942)

Rear HQ, AHQ Iraq & Persia (1 Jan 1943 - 1 Mar 1946)

Communications Flt Iraq & Persia (1 Jan - 1 Dec 1943)

No 26 Personnel Transit Camp

74 Sqn (17 - 23 May 1943)

No 2927 Sqn RAF Regiment (May 1943 - xxx xxxx)

No 2928 Sqn RAF Regiment (Jun 1943 - xxx xxxx)

No 2929 Sqn RAF Regiment (Sep 1943 - xxx xxxx)

No 23 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (1 Aug 1943 - 29 May 1944)

Communications Flt RAF Paiforce (1 Dec 1943- 1 Jul 1945)

HQ, No 119 Wing (14 Feb - 10 Mar 1944)

HQ, No 151 Wing (10 Mar 1944 - 1 Jun 1946)

No 3 Transport Aircraft Repair Unit (1 Apr 1944 - 30  Apr 1945)

Marine Craft Section, Habbaniya (xxx - 15 Jul 1944)

No 219 Air-Sea Rescue Unit (10 Feb 1945 - 31 Mar 1946)

No 115 Maintenance Unit (1 Mar 1945 - 1 Apr 1958)

AHQ Communications Flt Iraq & Persia (1 Jul 1945 - 1 Mar 1946)

No 156 Repair & Salvage Unit (1 Jul - 10 Nov 1945)

AHQ Iraq Communications Flt (1 Mar 1946 - 5 Aug 1954)

Armament Practice Camp (Middle East) (5 Apr - xxx 1946)

Air Transport Unit (1 Jun 1946 - Aug 1947)

249 Sqn (27 Jun 1946 - 13 Apr 1948, 17 May 1948 - 29 Mar 1949)

6 Sqn (7 Jan - 9 Feb 1950, 22 Nov - 21 Dec 1950, 19 Sep - 13 Nov 1951, 27 Nov 1951 - 28 Jan 1952, 11 - 28 Jul 1952, 18 Aug 1952 - 20 Jan 1953, 18 Feb 1953 - 10 Jan 1954, 7 Jun - 28 Aug 1954, 5 Oct 1954 - 26 Sep 1955, 10 Oct - 7 Nov 1955, 12 Dec 1955 - 6 Apr 1956)

185 Sqn (13 Oct 1952 - 1 May 1953)

73 Sqn (4 May - 17 Jul 1953, 20 Jul - 19 Sep 1953, 25 Oct 1953 - 5 Jan 1954, 21 Apr 1954 - 2 May 1955)

8 Sqn (23 Sep - 1 Oct 1953, 24 Jul - 5 Sep 1956)

683 Sqn (10 Jun 1952 - 30 Nov 1953)

HQ, No 128 (Tactical) Wing (4 Mar 1954 - 31 Oct 1955)

Iraq Communications Flt (5 Aug 1954 - 23 Jun 1955)

No 5 wing RAF Regiment (Nov 1954 - Feb 1956)

AHQ RAF Levant (1 May 1955 - xxx xxxx)

AHQ Levant Communications Flt (23 Jun 1955 - 15 Jan 1956)

No 19 Wing RAF Regiment (May - 15 Jun 1957)

No 21 Sqn RAF Regiment

No 26 Sqn RAF Regiment

No 2 (Armoured Car) Sqn RAF Regiment

Location

Country: - Iraq

Lat/Long:   33:20:24N  43:35:24E

Height above sea level: 

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Originally called Dhibban

Main units (Dhibban): -

Aircraft Depot Iraq (21 Jun 1937 - 23 Mar 1938)

30 Sqn (19 Oct 1936 - 25 Aug 1939)

Supplies Depot (Iraq) (2 Nov 1936 - 23 Mar 1938)

55 Sqn (14 Sep 1937  - xxx xxxx)

70 Sqn (16 Oct 1937 - xxx xxxx)

AHQ Iraq (8 Jan - 23 Mar 1938)

HQ, Iraq Command (9 Jan - 23 Mar 1938)

Communications Flt Iraq (9 Jan 1938 - 23 Mar 1938)

Main units (Habbaniya): -

AHQ Iraq (23 Mar 1938 - 1 Jan 1943, 1 Mar 1946 - 1 May 1955)

Communications Flt Iraq (23 Mar 1938 - 21 Aug 1939, 14 Dec 1940 - xxx xxxx, 1 Nov 1942 - 1 Jan 1943)

HQ, Iraq Command (23 Mar 1938 - 1 Jan 1943)

Supplies Depot (Iraq) (23 Mar 1938 - Aug 1940)

Air Depot Iraq (23 Mar 1938 - 30 Sep 1942)

No 10 Air Stores Park (31 Jan - 11 Sep 1939)

55 Sqn (xxx xxxx - 25 Aug 1939)

70 Sqn (xxx xxxx - 30 Aug 1939)

'S' Sqn (21 Aug - Sep 1939, 18 Sep 1939 - 1 Nov 1940)

Ferrying Pilots Pool (25 Jul 1939 - xxx xxxx)

No 4 Flying Training School (1 - 3 Sep 1939)

No 4 Service Flying Training School (3 Sep 1939 - 1 Jul 1941)

84 Sqn (24 May - 7 Jun 1941, 27 Sep - 9 Nov 1941)

'X' Flt (6 - 7 Jun 1941, 22 Jul 1941)

127 Sqn (29 Jun 1941)

52 Sqn (1 Jul 1941 - 17 Aug 1942)

261 Sqn (12 Jul - 10 Aug 1941)

11 Sqn (9 Aug - 27 Sep 1941)

45 Sqn (10 Aug - 27 Sep 1941)

No 32 Air Stores Park (10 Aug - 12 Oct 1941)

14 Sqn (8 - 26 Oct 1941)

HQ, No 214 Group (1 Jan - 2 Feb 1942)

No 56 Repair & Salvage Unit (5 Jan 1942 - 1 May 1943)

No 125 Maintenance Unit (25 Jan - 3 Feb 1942, 30 Sep - 20 Oct 1943

Detachments**

70 Sqn (Aug 1939 - Jun 1940)

84 Sqn (Apr - May 1941)

94 Sqn (Apr - Aug 1941)

203 Sqn (Apr - Jun 1941)

208 Sqn (May - Jun 1941, Feb - Sep 1951, Oct 1951 - Jan 1956)

162 Sqn (Apr 1942 - Apr 1943)

223 Sqn (Sep 1942 - Mar 1943)

216 Sqn (Nov 1942 - Jul 1945)

680 Sqn (Feb 1945 - Jul 1946)

No 1908 Flt, 651 Sqn (6 Sep - 5 Nov 1951)

8 Sqn (Sep 1950 - May 1951)

82 Sqn (Mar 1951 - Oct 1952)

683 Sqn (Dec 1951 - Jun 1952)

Links to related sites/pages

RAF Habbaniya Association website, Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Hadeira

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

74 Sqn (

123 Sqn (

Location

Country: -  Israel

Lat/Long:   32:30N  34:54E  Approx

Height above sea level: 

Operational Control: -

 

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Haifa

No Badge authorised

Main units (continued): -

6 Sqn (

30 Sqn (

80 Sqn (

112 Sqn (

113 Sqn (

142 Sqn (

144 Sqn (

208 Sqn (

213 Sqn (

260 Sqn (

261 Sqn (

450 Sqn (

651 Sqn (

Haifa Town: -

RAF Staff College (Overseas) (1 Sep 1944 - 14 Oct 1946)

Location

Country: -   Israel

Lat/Long:   32:48:36N  35:02:42E

Height above sea level:  28 ft

Operational Control: -

 

Notes

Main units: -

No 123 Maintenance Unit (5 Aug - 18 Sep 1942)

HQ, No 233 (Administration) Wing (1 Mar - 1 Aug 1943)

No 208 Air-Sea Rescue Unit (1 Jun - 21 Dec 1943)

973 (Balloon) Sqn (7 Aug 1943 - May 1944)

No 3225 Servicing Commando (11 - 16 Aug 1943)

HQ, No 283 (Airborne Forces) Wing (17 Jan - 14 Apr 1947)

No 1909 AOP Flt (23 Mar - 18 Jun 1948)

Detachments**

No 2 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (14 Jan - 4 Mar 1942)

No 207 Air-Sea Rescue Unit (21 Dec 1943-  Jan 1946)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Hal Far

Badge not yet located

Main units (continued): -

No 1 Flt, Coast Defence Development Unit (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

Malta Fighter Flt (19 - 29 Apr 1940, 2 May - 1 Aug 1940)

Communication Flt, Malta (1 Feb - 1 Mar 1943)

Air-Sea Rescue & Communication Flt (1 Mar - 25 Aug 1943, 31 Jan - 1 Mar 1944)

HQ, No 324 Wing (9 Jun - 13 Jul 1943)

AHQ Malta Communications Flt (1 Mar 1944 - 2 Jan 1946)

22 Sqn (

38 Sqn (

43 Sqn (

72 Sqn (

73 Sqn (

74 Sqn (

93 Sqn (

108 Sqn (

185 Sqn (

208 Sqn (

229 Sqn (

242 Sqn (

243 Sqn (

249 Sqn (

250 Sqn (

255 Sqn (

283 Sqn (

284 Sqn (

605 Sqn (

624 Sqn (

1435 Sqn (

Location

Country: -   Malta

Lat/Long:   35:49:01N  14:30:29E

Height above sea level: 

Operational Control: -

 

Notes

It is (2008) now home to 'B' Company, 1st Regiment, Armed Forces of Malta.

Main units: -

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Halesworth

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

 

 

Location

County: - Suffolk

Lat/Long:   52:21:45N  01:32:00E

Grid Ref -  TM402798

Height Above Sea Level - 120 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1942

USAAF (1944)

Closed - 1946

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Control Towers website,

RAF Halfpenny Green

No Badge authorised

Main units (Bobbington): -

No 3 Air Observer & Navigation School (17 Feb 18 - Oct 1941)

No 3 Air Observer School (18 Oct 1941 - 11Apr 1942)

Main units (Halfpenny Green): -

Pilot-Navigation Instructors Course (xxx xxxx - 29 Oct 1945)

Sub-site, No 25 Maintenance Unit (1 Mar 1946 - 15 Nov 1956)

No 2 Air Signallers' School (5 May 1952 - 13 Sep 1953)

Location

County: - Worcestershire

Lat/Long:   52:30:53N  02:15:38W

Grid Ref -  SO824912

Height Above Sea Level - 270 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1941

No 25 Group (1944)

Closed - 1953

Notes

Initially named RAF Bobbington, the name was changed on 1 September 1943 to avoid any confusion with Bovingdon.

It is now known as Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport.

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Control Towers website,

RAF Halton

Station Badge - RAF Halton

Main units (continued): -

Boys Training School (10 Sep 1919 - 16 Mar 1920)

Boys Training Depot (9 Oct 1919 - 23 Dec 1919)

School of Technical Training (1918 - 1919)

School of Technical Training (Boys) (23 Dec 1919 - 16 Mar 1920)

No 1 School of Technical Training (16 Mar 1920 -  9 Sep 1993)

School of Parachute Training (Aug/Sep - Nov 1920)

No 1 Air Stores Park (xx - 12 Sep 1939)

HQ, No 24 Group (10 Jul 1936 - 3 Nov 1940, Dec 1944 - Dec 1945)

No 24 Group Communications Flt (xxx - Oct 1940, Dec 1944 - xxx 1948)

No 60 Group Communications Flt (12 Mar 1940 - xxx 1944)

HQ, No 5 Wing (16 Jun - 6 Jul 1940)

No 1448 Flt (2 Mar 1942- 15 Jun 1943 )

No 2804 Sqn RAF Regiment (xxx 1942 - xxx xxxx)

529 Sqn (15 Jun 1943 - 20 Oct 1945)

No 80 Group Communications Flt (1942)

Air Training Corps Flight (1 Jan 1943 - Nov 1945)

No 121 Gliding School (1944 - 1945)

No 23 Group Communications Flt (1 Oct 1946 -15 Sep 1947)

No 613 Volunteer Gliding School (1 Sep 1955 - Current)

No 612 Volunteer Gliding School (1992 - 7 Jun 1995)

Location

County: - Buckinghamshire

Lat/Long:  51:46:53N  00:43:30W

Grid Ref:  SP870112

Height above sea level:  360ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1917

RAF Halton (1920 - 1936)

No 24 Group (1944)

Personnel & Training Command (2005)

Notes

Airfield used as a RLG for No 24 EFTS from 18 Aug 1941 to 7 Feb 1942

Links to related sites/pages

Officers Commanding, Halton Aircraft Apprentices Association, Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Hospital Halton

Badge of Princess Mary's RAF Hospital, Halton

Main units: -

 

 

Location

Lat/Long:  51:46:08N  00:43:40W

Operational Control: -

 

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Hambuhren

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

No. 291 Signals Unit (23 Feb 1953 – 30 Jul 1955)

 No. 5 (Signals) Wing (1 Apr 1953 – 10 Jul 1955)

 No. 755 Signals Unit (30 Jul 1955 – 15 Nov 1957)

Location

Country: - Germany

Lat/Long:   52:37:48N  09:59:00E  Approx

Height above sea level: 

Notes

The station served as a Luftwaffe signals unit from November 1957 until August 1993, when it ceased operations.  It finally closed in March 1994 and demolished in 2000.

Thanks to Peter Jackson for these details

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1953

Closed - 1957

Links to related sites/pages

Officers Commanding, Aerial photo of general area on Google Maps,

RAF Hamworthy

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

210 Sqn (

461 Sqn (

Location

County: - Dorset

Lat/Long:   50:43:15N 02:00:39W

Grid Ref - 

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Hardwick

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

 

 

Location

County: - Norfolk

Lat/Long:   52:28:08N 01:18:45E

Grid Ref -  TM248906

Height Above Sea Level - 170 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1942

USAAF (1944)

Closed - 1962

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps, Control Towers website,

RAF Harrington

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

218 Sqn (

Sub-site, No 25 Maintenance Unit (9 Oct 1945 - 31 Mar 1949)

Location

County: - Northamptonshire

Lat/Long:   52:23:30N  00:51:30W

Grid Ref -  SP775778

Height Above Sea Level - 520 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1943

USAAF (1944)

Closed - 1963

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps Control Towers websiteStation history website,

RAF Harrogate

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

WAAF Depot (18 Sep 1940 - 1 Jan 1941)

No 1 WAAF Depot (1 Jan - 30 May 1941)

No 7 Personnel Reception Centre (23 Mar 1942 - 5 Jul 1943)

Location

County: - North Yorkshire

Lat/Long:   53:59:34N  01:31:55W 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,

RAF Harrow

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

HQ, Transport Command (15 Apr 1943 - 17 Apr 1945)

Czechoslovak Air Force Transport Pool (15 Jul 1944) - 15 Feb 1946)

Royal Norwegian Air Force Transport Pool (6 Oct 1944 - 9 Aug 1946)

Air Staff, SHAEF (Rear) (1 - xx Apr 1945)

HQ No 103 (Air Disarmament) Wing (1 Apr - 18 Jul 1945)

 

Location

County: - Middlesex (Greater London)

Lat/Long:   51:34:58N  00:20:45W

Grid Ref - 

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

No 27 Group (1942)

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo of the general area on Google Maps,

RAF Harrowbeer

No Badge authorised

Main units (continued): -

No 6126 Servicing Echelon (3 Jul – 28 Aug 1944)

No 6026 Servicing Echelon (15 – 22 Jan 1945, 3 Apr – 22 May 1945)

1 Sqn (

19 Sqn (

26 Sqn (

64 Sqn (

126 Sqn (

130 Sqn (

131 Sqn (

165 Sqn (

175 Sqn (

183 Sqn (

193 Sqn (

263 Sqn (

266 Sqn (

275 Sqn (

276 Sqn (

286 Sqn (

302 Sqn (

312 Sqn (

329 Sqn (

414 Sqn (

610 Sqn (

611 Sqn (

616 Sqn (

691 Sqn (

Location

County: - Devon

Lat/Long:   50:29:30N  04:05:45W

Grid Ref -  SX513680

Height Above Sea Level - 650 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1941

No 10 Group (1944)

Closed - 1950

Notes

Main Units: -

No 3036 Servicing Echelon (14 – 30 Nov 1941)

No 3031 Servicing Echelon (15 – 18 Mar 1943)

No 401 Air Sores Park (19 - 20 Apr 1943)

No 3013 Servicing Echelon (18 Sep 1943 – 15 Feb 1944)

No 3043 Servicing Echelon (21 Sep 1943 – 22 Mar 1944)

No 6263 Servicing Echelon (22 Mar – 19 Jun 1944)

No 6131 Servicing Echelon (24 Mar – 24 May 1944)

HQ, No 156 Wing (22 Apr - 8 Aug 1944)

No 6610 Servicing Echelon (24 May – 19 Jun 1944)

No 6001 Servicing Echelon (20 – 22 Jun 1944)

No 6165 Servicing Echelon (20 – 22 Jun 1944)

No 6064 Servicing Echelon (23 Jun – 29 Aug 1944)

No 6611 Servicing Echelon (24 Jun – 3 Jul 1944)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google MapsHarrowbeer Website, Atlantikwall website,

RAF Hartland Point

Badge of RAF Hartland Point

Location

County: - Devon

Lat/Long:  51:01:15N  04:30:52W

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1939

Closed -

Notes

Main units: -

Chain Home Low Radar Station

Coast watching radar

10cm radar

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Harwell

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

No 310 Ferry Training Unit (1 May - 17 Dec 1943)

No 3140 Servicing Echelon (14 – 22 Mar 1944)

No 5 (Horsa) Glider Servicing Unit (15 Mar 1944 - xxx xxxx)

No 6 (Horsa) Glider Servicing Unit (15 Mar 1944 - xxx xxxx)

No 3137 Servicing Echelon (15 – 22 Mar 1944)

No 6295 Servicing Echelon (22 Mar – 11 Oct 1944)

No 6570 Servicing Echelon (22 Mar – 7 Oct 1944)

No 4570 Servicing Echelon (1 Jun – 8 Oct 1944)

Engine Control Instructional Flt (20 Aug - 31 Dec 1945)

Transport Command Development Unit (20 Sep - 31 Dec 1945)

75 Sqn (

105 Sqn (

107 Sqn (

148 Sqn (

215 Sqn (

226 Sqn (

295 Sqn (

570 Sqn (

Location

County: - Berkshire

Lat/Long:   51:34:30N  01:18:30W

Grid Ref -  SU475865

Height Above Sea Level - 375 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1937

No 12 Group (1944)

Closed - 1945

Notes

It is now the Atomic Energy Research Establishment

Main Units: -

HQ, No 72 (Bomber) Wing (23 Aug - 2 Sep 1939)

No 3 Group Pool (14 Sep 1939 - 8 Apr 1940)

Ferry Training and Despatch Flt (Nov 1941 - 21 Jan 1942)

No 1443 (Ferry Training) Flt (21 Jan 1942 - 30 Apr 1943)

No 91 Group Servicing Section (15 Dec 1942 - 15 Feb 1944)

Links to related sites/pages

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

RAF Hastings

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

95 Sqn (

128 Sqn (

200 Sqn (

No 36 Personnel Transit Centre (16 Mar 1943 - 8 Jul 1945)

Location

Country: -   Sierra Leone

Lat/Long:   08:23:42N  13:07:48W  Approx

Height above sea level: 

Operational Control: -

 

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Hatfield

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

2 Sqn (

239 Sqn (

ATA (Womens Section) (Jan - Jun 1940)

Sub-site, No 7 Maintenance Unit (xxx 1940 - xxx 1941)

No 5 Ferry Pilots Pool (5 Nov 1940 - 1 Apr 1942)

No 1 Anti-Aircraft Calibration Flight (25 Jan - 17 Feb 1941)

116 Sqn (17 Feb 1941 -

Purgatory Storage Unit, No 15 MU.

No 12 Joint Services trials Unit (1 Jan 1955 - 1 Feb 1956)

Location

County: - Hertfordshire

Lat/Long:   51:45:53N  00:14:45W

Grid Ref -  TL206090

Height Above Sea Level - 250 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

No 50 Group (1944)

Closed -

Notes

This was the company airfield for De Havilland, Hawker Siddeley and later BAe Systems but is now being/has been redeveloped.

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps Control Towers website,

RAF Haverfordwest

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

516 Sqn (

No 3 Operational Training Unit (20 Jun 1943 - 4 Jan 1944)

Polish Flt (5 Oct 1943 - 11 Jan 1944)

Navigators' "W" Holding Course (xxx - 1 Oct 1944)

No 20 Air Crew Holding Unit (18 Jun - 15 Nov 1945)

No 21 Air Crew Holding Unit (15 Aug - 15 Nov 1945)

Location

County: - Pembrokeshire

Lat/Long:   51:49:53N  04:57:45W

Grid Ref -  SM958192

Height Above Sea Level - 163 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1943

No 17 Group (1944)

Closed - 1945

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps Control Towers website,

RAF Hawarden

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

No 57 Operational Training Unit (1 Nov 1940 - 10 Nov 1942)

No 3 Ferry Pilots Pool (5 Nov 1940 - 1 May 1942)

No 3 Aircraft Delivery Flt (7 Apr 1941 - 10 Jan 1942)

No 3 Ferry Pool ATA (1 May 1942 - 30 Nov 1945)

173 Sqn (

577 Sqn (

No 3210 Servicing Commando (Oct - 1 Dec 1943)

No 58 Operational Training Unit (2 Apr - 20 Jul 1945)

No 4 Ferry Pool (30 Nov 1945 - 7 Jun 1952)

No 63 Group Communication Flt (23 Apr 1947 - 1 Feb 1957)

No 47 Maintenance Unit (15 Mar 1951 - 15 Mar 1959)

No 4 Ferry Unit (7 Feb 1952 - 1 Feb 1953)

Home Command Modified Officer Cadet Training Unit (Jan 1953 - 1 Jun 1956)

No 631 Volunteer Gliding School (1 Sep 1955 - 11 May 1963)

Location

County: - Flintshire (Cheshire)

Lat/Long:   53:10:45N  02:58:45W

Grid Ref -  SJ345651

Height Above Sea Level - 15 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1939

No 12 Group (1944)

Closed -

Notes

It is now owned and operated by BAe Systems

Main Units: -

No 48 Maintenance Unit (1 Sep 1939 - 1 Jul 1957)

No 9 (Service) Ferry Pilots Pool (1 Nov 1940 - 10 Feb 1941)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google MapsOfficers Commanding,

RAF Hawkinge

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

WRAF Depot (Jul 1947 - 1 Jun 1960)

WRAF Officer Cadet Training School (1 Jan 1960 - 3 Jan 1962)

1 Sqn (

2 Sqn (

3 Sqn (

16 Sqn (

17 Sqn (

26 Sqn (

38 Sqn (

41 Sqn (

56 Sqn (

65 Sqn (

66 Sqn (

79 Sqn (

83 Sqn (

120 Sqn (

122 Sqn (

124 Sqn (

132 Sqn (

234 Sqn (

245 Sqn (

277 Sqn (

278 Sqn (

313 Sqn (

322 Sqn (

350 Sqn (

402 Sqn (

416 Sqn (

441 Sqn (

451 Sqn (

453 Sqn (

501 Sqn (

504 Sqn (

567 Sqn (

605 Sqn (

611 Sqn (

613 Sqn (

616 Sqn (

658 Sqn (

Location

County: - Kent

Lat/Long:   51:06:40N  01:09:30E

Grid Ref -  TR211395

Height Above Sea Level - 540 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1915

No 11 Group (1944)

Closed - 1962

Notes

Main units: -

Aircraft Acceptance Park (under construction Dec 1918 - Jun 1919)

Storage Section (28 Jul 1919 - 26 Apr 1920)

25 Sqn (26 Apr 1920 -

'D' (Army Co-operation) Flt (17 - 19 Apr 1940)

No 421 (Reconnaissance) Flt (15 Nov 1940 - 11 Jan 1941))

91 Sqn (11 Jan 1941 - xx xxx xxxx)

Air-Sea Rescue Flt (18 Jul - 22 Dec 1941)

No 1 Refuelling and Re-arming Party (1 Aug 1941 - 9 Feb 1942, xxx - 27 Nov 1944)

No 3028 Servicing Echelon (14 – 23 Nov 1941, 12 Jan – 20 Apr 1943, 21 May – 28 Jun 1943)

'A' Flt, No 3203 Servicing Commando (9 Feb - 19 May 1942)

No 3201 Servicing Commando (10 May - Jun 1942)

No 3016 (Eagle) Servicing Echelon (12 Apr – 21 May 1943)

No 3037 Servicing Echelon (21 Jun 1943 – 21 Jan 1944, 4 Feb – 22 Mar 1944)

No 3012 Servicing Echelon (1 Oct 1943 – 14 Mar 1944)

No 3210 Servicing Commando (1 Dec 1943 - 18 Jan 1944, 16 - 30 Apr 1944)

'B' Section, No 3210 Servicing Commando (1 Feb - 16 Apr 1944)

No 6501 Servicing Echelon (22 Mar – 30 Apr 1944)

No 6402 (RCAF) Servicing Echelon (8 Aug – 30 Sep 1944, 3 – 29 Apr 1945)

No 6451 (RAAF) Servicing Echelon (1 Dec 1944 – 11 Feb 1945, 30 Apr – 17 May 1945)

No 6611 Servicing Echelon (28 Dec 1944 – 3 Mar 1945)

No 6 Fighter Command Servicing Unit (19 Feb 1945 - 25 Feb 1946)

No 6504 Servicing Echelon (28 Feb – 28 Mar 1945)

No 6345 (French) Servicing Echelon (3 – 29 Apr 1945)

No 6441 (RCAF) Servicing Echelon (xx – 29 Apr 1945)

No 6124 Servicing Echelon (7 – 27 Apr 1945)

No 6453 (RAAF) Servicing Echelon (30 Apr – 26 May 1945)

No 1 Aircraft Delivery Flt (xx - 7 Sep 1945)

No 6122 Servicing Echelon (24 Sep – 19 Oct 1945)

Detachment**

No 1 Coastal Artillery Co-operation Unit (Aug 1941)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Headley Court

Station Badge - RAF Headley Court

Location

County: - Surrey

Lat/Long:  51:16:22N  00:16:15W

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Notes

Originally used in WW2 as the HQ for Canadian forces in the UK.

Main units: -

Defence Medical Services Rehabilitation Centre

Links to related sites/pages

PMRAFNS website, Help for Heroes website, Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Hednesford

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

No 6 School of Technical Training (14 Mar 1939 - 9 Aug 1948)

262 Sqn (

No 21 Air Crew Holding Unit (15 Jan - 10 Apr 1944)

No 53 Repair Unit (Plant) (xxx - 7 May 1945)

No 11 School of Technical Training (8 Oct 1945 - 31 Aug 1947)

No 5 Personnel Transit Centre (1 Sep 1948 - 21 Aug 1951)

Location

County: - Staffordshire

Lat/Long:   52:42:41N  02:00:02W Approx

Grid Ref - 

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1938

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Helensburgh

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

Special Duties Flt (21 Sep - 26 Nov 1940) (also known as 'G' Flt)

 

No 62 Maintenance Unit (28 Aug 1945 - 30 Nov 1947)

Location

County: - Dunbartonshire (Argyll and Bute)

Lat/Long:   56:00:11N  04:43:59W

Grid Ref - 

Height Above Sea Level -  ft

Operational Control: -

Opened -

 (1944)

Closed -

Notes

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Heliopolis

No Badge authorised

Main units (continued): -

Engine Handling School (xxx xxxx - 25 Aug 1946)

No 130 Maintenance Unit (10 Jan - 29 Feb 1944)

HQ, No 282 (Transport) Wing (1 Feb 1942 - 1 Jun 1946)

No 20 Air Despatch & Reception Unit(9 Apr 1943 - Sep 1944)

No 203 Group Communication Flt (10 May 1943 - 1 Mar 1945)

No 5 (Middle East) Air Crew Reception Centre (5 Dec 1943 - Apr 1945)

Middle East Communication Sqn (29 Feb - 27 Jun 1944, 31 May - 1 Nov 1945)

No 216 Group Communication Flt (27 Jun 1944 - 1 Apr 1946)

No 1 Staging Post (Sep 1944 - 15 Aug 1945)

No 5 Ferry Unit (23 Sep 1944 - 10 Aug 1945)

Mediterranean and Middle East Communication Sqn (10 Nov 1945 - May 1947)

HQ, No 219 Group (1 Mar - 1 Dec 1946)

6 Sqn (

11 Sqn (

14 Sqn (

17 Sqn (

30 Sqn (

33 Sqn (

39 Sqn (

40 Sqn (

45 Sqn (

55 Sqn (

58 Sqn (

64 Sqn (

67 Sqn (

70 Sqn (

73 Sqn (

80 Sqn (

84 Sqn (

92 Sqn (

113 Sqn (

173 Sqn (

206 Sqn (

208 Sqn (

211 Sqn (

214 Sqn (

216 Sqn (

267 Sqn (

272 Sqn (

417 Sqn (

451 Sqn (

Location

Country: -   Egypt

Lat/Long:   30:05:24N  31:21:36E

Height above sea level:  380 ft

Operational Control: -

 

Notes

Main units: -

HQ, No 5 Wing (Nov 1915 - 9 Feb 1916)

No 196 Training Sqn (9 Aug - 31 Nov 1917)

Wireless & Observers' School (17 Aug 1917 - Feb 1918)

HQ, Training Group (15 Sep 1917 - 24 Jan 1918)

No 3 School of Instruction (Oct 1917 - 22 Jul 1919)

School of Aerial Gunnery (Nov 1917 - Mar 1919)

School of Aerial Fighting (13 Nov 1917 - 5 Sep 1918)

HQ, 38th (Training) Wing (9 Nov 1917 - 15 Apr 1919)

HQ, Training Brigade (Middle East) (24 Jan 1918 - 18 Mar 1920)

No 5 Fighting School (5 Sep 1918 - 22 Jul 1919)

No 16 Training Depot Station (6 Jul 1919 - Aug 1920)

Cape-Cairo Flt (Jan - 1 Mar 1926, 27 - 29 May 1926, xxx - 20 Mar 1927, xxx - 1 Mar 1928, 28 Apr 1928)

Special Instruction Flt (xxx 1928 - xxx xxxx)

East African Flt (xxx - 1 Jan 1932, 20 Feb - 2 Apr 1932)

Communication Flt, Heliopolis (1 Jun 1938 - 18 Jan 1940)

Practice Flt, Heliopolis (xxx xxxx - 1 Jun 1938)

Fighter Wing, Egypt (Jan - 21 Apr 1939, 19 May - 12 Sep 1939)

AHQ Middle East Communication Flt (xxx 1939 - xxx xxxx)

HQ, No 2 Wing (25 Aug - 21 Sep 1939)

HQ, No 251 (Bomber) Wing (21 Sep 1939 - Mar 1940)

Communication Unit, Heliopolis (18 Jan - 20 Aug 1940)

Intelligence Photographic Flt (Jun 1940 - 3 Mar 1941)

No 2 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (17 Oct 1940 - 9 Dec 1942)

No 204 Group Communication Flt (14 - 15 Apr 1941)

No 206 Group Communication Flt (17 Jun 1941 - 1 Apr 1946)

Marine Craft Section, Heliopolis (2 Jan 1942 - xxx xxxx)

No 1437 (Strategic Reconnaissance) Flt (13 Jun - Aug 1942)

HQ, No 276 (Signals) Wing (1 Aug - 15 Nov 1942)

Desert Defence Flt (24 Aug - Oct 1942)

Mobile Wellington Repair Unit (West Africa) (1 Nov 1942 - 25 Feb 1943)

Rear HQ, No 276 (Signals) Wing (15 Nov 1942 - xxx 1944)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Helwan

No Badge authorised

Main units: -

No 30 Personnel Transit Centre (1 - 4 Apr 1943)

HQ, No 275 (Balloon) Wing (2 - 8 Apr 1943)

No 39 (RN) Personnel Transit Centre (4 - 12 Apr 1943)

No 157 Maintenance Unit (11 May 1943 - 15 Apr 1944)

No 158 Maintenance Unit (11 May 1943 - 15 Apr 1944)

No 3232 Servicing Commando (19 - 25 May 1943)

No 42 Air Stores Park (9 Jul - 1 Mar 1943)

No 132 Maintenance Unit (29 Jul 1943 - 31 Mar 1945)

No 2 Base Recovery Unit (Feb - 11 Mar 1944)

Base Salvage Unit (1 - 20 Jun 1944)

No 1 Base Recovery Unit (20 Jun - 21 Jul 1944)

6 Sqn (

8 Sqn (

11 Sqn (

18 Sqn (

29 Sqn (

30 Sqn (

33 Sqn (

39 Sqn (

45 Sqn (

47 Sqn (

55 Sqn (

70 Sqn (

74 Sqn (

80 Sqn (

112 Sqn (

113 Sqn (

134 Sqn (

142 Sqn (

145 Sqn (

206 Sqn (

208 Sqn (

211 Sqn (

318 Sqn (

601 Sqn (

Location

Country: -   Egypt

Lat/Long:   29:49:30N  31:19:16E

Height above sea level: 

Operational Control: -

 

Notes

Main units: -

No 3 School of (Aerial) Navigation & Bomb Dropping (19 Aug 1918 - 22 Jul 1919)

Towed Target Flt, Helwan (xxx 1940 - xxx xxxx)

No 124 Maintenance Unit (1 Aug - 5 Sep 1941)

Aircraft Repair Depot (20 Aug 1941 - May 1942)

No 101 Maintenance Unit (xxx - xxx 1941)

No 122 Maintenance Unit (16 Sep 1941 - 29 May 1942)

Hurricane Repair Section (20 Nov 1941 - xxx xxxx)

American Aircraft Repair Unit (22 Nov 1941 - 15 May 1942)

Base Salvage Depot (11 Feb 1942 - 1 Jun 1944)

HQ, No 240 Wing (7 Mar - 1 Jul 1942, 19 May - 18 Jun 1943)

HQ, No 241 Wing (15 Apr - 17 May 1942)

No 1 ( Middle East) Aircraft Repair Unit (15 May 1942 - 11 May 1943)

No 2 ( Middle East) Aircraft Repair Unit (15 May 1942 - 11 May 1943)

HQ, No 244 (Fighter) Wing (4 - 22 Jun 1942)

No 23 Personnel Transit Centre (1 Jul 1942 - 10 Aug 1943)

HQ, No 234 Wing (1 Jul - 5 Sep 1942)

No 63 Repair & Salvage Unit (9 - 28 Jul 1942)

HQ, No 249 (Heavy Air Transport) Wing (11 Nov - 28 Jun 1942)

HQ, No 242 Wing (22 - 25 Nov 1942)

HQ, No 233 Wing (4 - 5 Jan 1943)

Links to related sites/pages

Aerial photo on Google Maps,

RAF Hemswell

Station badge - RAF Hemswell

Main units (continued): -

No 2706 Sqn RAF Regiment (xxx 1943 - xxx xxxx)

150 Sqn (22 Nov 1944 - 7 Nov 1945)

170 Sqn (29 Nov 1944 - 15 Nov 1945)

Satellite of No 15 Base (1 Dec 1944 - 20 Oct 1945)

Night Bomber Tactical School/Unit (May - Dec 1944)

No 1687 Bomber (Defence) Training Flt (2 Apr 1945 - 19 Mar 1946)

109 Sqn (27 Nov 1945 - 4 Nov 1946, 31 Mar 1950 - 1 Jan 1956)

139 Sqn (4 Feb - 4 Nov 1946, 1 Apr 1950 - 1 Jan 1956)

100 Sqn (28 Oct 1946 - 23 Mar 1950)

83 Sqn (5 Nov 1946 - 1 Jan 1956)

97 Sqn (7 Nov 1946 - 1 Jan 1956, 1 Dec 1958 - 24 May 1963)

12 Sqn (12 Jan - 14 Mar 1948)

199 Sqn (17 Apr 1952 - 1 Oct 1957)

Bomber Command Jet Conversion Flt (7 Jul 1952 - 7 Apr 1953)

Lincoln Conversion Flt (9 Jan 1956 - 18 Feb 1957)

Attack Wing, Bomber Command Bombing School (xxx 1955 - xxx 1957)

Antler Sqn (1 Jan 1956 - 1 Oct 1957)

Arrow Sqn (31 Jan 1956 - 1 Oct 1957)

Bomber Command Modification Centre (1 Aug 1956 - 15 Oct 1962)

76 Sqn (1 Apr 1957 - 17 Jul 1958)

No 1439 Flt (8 May - xxx 1957, xxx 1957 - 20 Nov 1957)

No 1321 Flt (1 Oct 1957 - 23 Jan 1958)

No 643 Volunteer Gliding School (1 Oct 1965 - 21 Apr 1974)

Location

County: - Lincolnshire

Lat/Long:  53:24:08N  00:34:53W

Grid Ref:  SK941908

Height above sea level: 200 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1937

No 1 Group (1944)

Closed - 1967

Notes

Main units: -

144 Sqn (9 Feb 1937 - 17 Jul 1941)

61 Sqn (8 Mar 1937 - 17 Jul 1941)

New Zealand Flt (27 Sep 1939 - 15 Jan 1940)

300 Sqn (18 Jul 1941 - 18 May 1942, 31 Jan - 22 Jun 1943)

301 Sqn (18 Jul 1941 - 7 Apr 1943)

No 717 (Ground Defence) Sqn (19 Dec 1941 - 1 Feb 1942)

No 2717 Sqn RAF Regiment (1 Feb 1942 - xxx 1943)

Links to related sites/pages

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

RAF Hendon

Station badge - RAF Hendon

Main units (continued): -

HQ, No 26 Group (1 Dec 1937 - 1 Feb 1939)

HQ, Reserve Command (1 Feb - 4 Sep 1939)

No 50 Group Communications Flt (1 Feb - 2 Sep 1939)

No 21 Aircraft Park (11 - 25 Sep 1939)

No 61 Wing Servicing Unit (23 - 30 Sep 1939)

No 62 Wing Servicing Unit (17 - 25 Oct 1939)

Blenheim Conversion Flt (xxx 1939 - 16 Jan 1940)

248 Sqn (30 Oct 1939 - 24 Feb 1940)

HQ, No 52 (Army Co-operation) Wing (1 - 12 Nov 1939)

81 Sqn (5 May - 15 Jun 1940)

257 Sqn (16 May - 4 Jul 1940)

No 1 Radio Fitting Unit (Jun 1940 - Mar 1941)

504 Sqn (6 - 26 Sep 1940)

No 1 Camouflage Unit (8 Nov 1940 - 1 Jun 1942)

No 1416 (Reconnaissance) Flt (10 Mar - 5 Sep 1941)

No 1 Aircraft Delivery Flt (22 Mar 1941 - 23 Jan 1942)

116 Sqn (24 Apr 1941 - 20 Apr 1942)

No 151 Wing (Aug 1941)

No 2722 Sqn RAF Regiment (xxx 1942 - xxx xxxx)

510 Sqn (15 Oct 1942 - 8 Apr 1944)

512 Sqn (18 Jun 1943 - 14 Feb 1944)

575 Sqn (1 - 14 Feb 1944)

Metropolitan Communication Sqn (8 Apr 1944 - 19 Jul 1948)

Transport Command Communication Flt (8 Apr 1944 - May 1946)

Allied Flt (12 Jun 1944 - xxx 1946)

No 1316 (Dutch Communication/Transport) Flt (7 Jul 1944 - 4 Mar 1946)

No 4024 Servicing Echelon (26 Jul 1944 – 24 Feb 1946)

HQ, No 116 Wing (23 Jul 1944 - 1 Jan 1945)

31 Sqn (19 Jul 1948 - 1 Mar 1955)

RAF Antarctic Flt (25 Apr 1949 - Feb 1950)

No 1958 Flt, 661 Sqn (1 Jul 1949 - 10 Mar 1957)

No 142 Gliding School (Aug 1950 - 1 Aug 1953)

Metropolitan Communication Sqn (1 Mar 1955 - 4 Nov 1957)

No 617 Volunteer Gliding School (25 Nov 1958 - xxx xxxx)

Location

County: - Middlesex

Lat/Long:  51:36:00N  00:14:42W

Grid Ref: TQ215905

Height above sea level: 160 ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1910

Closed - 1957

Notes

Main units: -

18th Wing School of Instruction (22 Sep 1916 - xxx 1918)

No 2 Aircraft Acceptance Park (xxx 1917 - xxx 1919)

Communications Sqn (23 - 26 Jul 1918)

No 1 Communications Sqn (26 Jul 1918 - 13 Apr 1919)

No 29 Training Sqn (1 - 6 Aug 1918)

School of Instruction, Hendon (xxx - 12 Oct 1918)

No 86  Wing (Feb - 13 Apr 1919)

600 Sqn (18 Jan 1927 - 1 Oct 1938, 4 Oct 1938 - 25 Aug 1939)

601 Sqn (18 Jan 1927 - 2 Sep 1939, 10 May 1946 - 27 Mar 1949)

Home Communications Flt (16 Apr 1928 - 10 Jul 1933)

604 Sqn (17 Mar 1930 - 2 Sep 1939, 10 May 1946 - 28 Mar 1949)

24 Sqn (10 Jul 1933 - 25 Feb 1946)

No 1 MT Storage Unit (1 Aug 1935 - 27 Nov 1936)

610 Sqn (10 Feb - 16 Apr 1936)

611 Sqn (10 Feb - 1 Apr 1936)

The King's Flt ( 20 Jul 1936 - 15 Sep 1939)

'A' Equipment Depot (Temporary) (2 Feb 1937 - xxx 1938)

'A' Temporary Maintenance Unit (xxx 1938 - 28 Jun 1939)

Detachments**

271 Sqn (Oct 1940 - Feb 1944)

No 91 Forward Staging Post (Jan - Aug 1944)

No 19 Reserve Sqn (Jan - May 1916)

Units located in Hendon but not on the station: -

HQ, No 26 Group (1Dec 1937 - 1 Feb 1939)

HQ, No 116 (Transport) Wing (1 Jan - 23 Jul 1944)

HQ, No 107 (Transport) Wing (16 Oct 1944 - 1 Jan 1945)

Links to related sites/pages

Battle of Britain Anniversary website, Officers Commanding, Aerial photo on Google Maps Control Towers website,

RAF Henlow

Station Badge - RAF Henlow

Main units (continued): -

No 13 Maintenance Unit (1 Jun 1939 - 20 Jan 1948)

No 20 Air Stores Park (26 Aug - 15 Sep 1939)

No 2 Air Stores Park (27 Aug - 12 Sep 1939)

No 6 Air Stores Park (15 Sep - 5 Oct 1939)

No 1 Salvage Centre (18 Sep - 4 Oct 1939)

No 2 Salvage Centre (18 - 22 Sep 1939)

No 3 Salvage Centre (18 - 24 Sep 1939)

No 4 Salvage Centre (18 - 24 Sep 1939)

No 49 Maintenance Unit (1 Mar - 1 Apr 1940)

No 4 Repair and Salvage Unit (xxx xxxx - 24 Jun 1940)

No 5 Repair and Salvage Unit (xxx xxxx - 24 Jun 1940)

No 6 Repair and Salvage Unit (xxx xxxx - 24 Jun 1940)

No 12 Repair and Salvage Unit (xxx xxxx - 24 Jul 1940)

No 13 School of Technical Training (6 Jun - 28 Aug 1940)

No 14 School of Technical training (28 Aug 1940 - 28 Aug 1944, 1 Jun 1945 - 1 Sep 1948)

241 Sqn Detachment  (Jul 1941 - May 1942)

No 709 (Ground Defence) Sqn (19 Dec1941 - 1 Feb 1942)

No 2709 Sqn RAF Regiment (1 Feb - xxx 1942)

No 2727 Sqn RAF Regiment (xxx 1943 - xxx xxxx)

No 106 Gliding School (xxx 1944 - 1 Sep 1955)

No 43 Group Communications Flt (1 Jan 1946 - 28 Jun 1947)

RAF Technical College (15 Aug 1947 - 1 Jan 1966)

No 1959 Reserve AOP Flt (1 May 1949 - 17 Oct 1955)

No 1961 Reserve AOP Flt (1 May 1949 - 10 Mar 1957)

Radio Engineering Unit (1 Jan 1950 - xxx 1966)

Parachute Test Unit (Min of Supply) (1 Sep 1950 - 31 Dec 1959)

No 616 Volunteer Gliding School (1 Jun 1958 - Current)

Officer Cadet Training Unit (1 Oct 1965 - xxx xxxx)

Rapier Cold Trials Unit (1 May 1973 - 14 Jul 1974)

Joint Arms Control Implementation Group (31 May 1996 - Current)

Location

County: - Bedfordshire

Lat/Long:  52:01:00N  00:18:15W

Grid Ref: TL165378

Height above sea level:  184ft

Operational Control: -

Opened - 1918

No 43 Group (1944)

Notes

Main units: -

No 5 (Eastern) Aircraft Repair Depot (31 Jan 1918 - 16 Mar 1920)

Inland Area Aircraft Depot (1

6 Mar 1920 - Apr 1926)

23 Sqn (1 Jul 1925 - 6 Feb 1927)

43 Sqn (1 Jul 1925 - 12 Dec 1926)

Parachute Test Section/Flight (20 Sep 1925 - 1 Sep 1950)

Home Aircraft Depot (Apr 1926 - 1 Jun 1939)

Pilotless Aircraft Section/Unit (31 Jan 1937 - 15 Feb 1940)

80 Sqn (15 Mar - 9 Jun 1937)

Queen Bee Flt (10 May - 27 Jul 1937)

'Y' Flt, No 1 AACU (11 Apr - 29 Jun 1938)

'X' Flt, No 1 AACU (15 - 16 May 1939)

RAF School of Aeronautical Engineering (Officers) (xxx 1938 - 15 Aug 1947)

Links to related sites/pages

RAF Signals Museum, Officers Commanding, Aerial photo on Google Maps Control Towers website,

Henlow began life in 1917, when the site was selected as repair depot, work starting in April 1918 and personnel moving in the following month.  Named No 5 Eastern Area Aircraft Depot, it made headlines in April 1919, when airmen  at the station mutinied, resulting in 56 being given long jail sentences following their court martial. 

The station was retained by the RAF after the war and in March 1920, it was renamed the Inland Area Aircraft Depot and it was carrying out repairs on about ten aircraft per month by the end of 1921.  In April 1924, the Officers Engineering School moved to Henlow from Farnborough and on 1 July 1925, the station became home to two fighter squadrons, initially No 23 and No 43, both equipped with Sopwith Snipes.  In April 1926, Henlow was renamed the Home Aircraft Depot and from 1935, began training airframe riggers as well as officers and by 1938 was training 5000 students, having given up its repair role.

However, its wartime role was to revert to aircraft maintenance and in September 1938. most of the Training Wing moved to St Athan and in October the Home Aircraft Depot became No 13 Maintenance Unit and by mid 1940, the station housed No 13 MU, No 14 School of Technical Training and the RAF School of Aeronautical Engineering.  The station continued in this form for the remainder of the war.

Post war, the School of Aeronautical Engineering was renamed the RAF Technical College on 15 August 1947 and in October the Signals Development Units arrived from West Drayton, becoming the Radio Engineering Unit on New Year’s Day 1950.  No 13 MU closed in January 1948 and in 1952, No 14 SoTT amalgamated with No 10 at Kirkham but other engineering units arrived to replace them and in June 1953, the station was raised to Group status under the command of an Air Commodore.  By 1960 the Technical College was composed of five Wings, Basic Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Weapons Systems, Engineering and Cadet Wing, but on 31 December 1965 the College was amalgamated with the RAF College at Cranwell and moved into new accommodation there.

In 1966 the Officer Cadet Training Unit arrived from Feltwell and remained until 24 April 1980, when all officer training was concentrated at Cranwell.  Today Henlow is home to the RAF Signals Engineering Establishment and the Directorate of Engineering Interoperability .It also hosts the Joint Arms Control and Inspection Group, HQ Provost & Security Services (RAF) the RAF Centre for Aviation Medicine, as well as No 616 Volunteer Gliding School which operates Vigilant T Mk 1 motor gliders.

RAF Hereford (Credenhill)

Station badge - RAF Hereford

Main units (continued): -

No 11 School of Technical Training (15 Jun 1940 - 30 Sep 1945)

No 7 Mobile Parachute Servicing Unit (17 Apr 1944 - Feb 1945)

HQ, No 24 Group (Sep - Dec 1944)

No 50 Gliding School (Mar 1944 - Jan 1946)*

The Air Crew Officers School (3 May 1945 - 1 Nov 1944)

No 1 Air Crew Officers School (1 Nov 1944 - 1 May 1946)

No 533 Sqn RAF Regiment (1 Jul 1952 - xxx xxxx)

No 3 School of Technical Training (Apr 1959 - 17 May 1974)

WRAF Depot

*This unit was initially located at Lugg Meadows in Hereford and later on Hereford Racecourse, but is included here for convenience.

Location

County: - Herefordshire

Lat/Long: 52:05:06N  02:47:42W

Operational Control: -

Opened -

Closed -

Notes<