Breighton Airfield (RAF Breighton) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() Breighton Airfield and Aeroplane Museum | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Owner | Air Ministry 1940–1964 Private 1964 – present | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Operator | Royal Air Force 1940–1964 Private 1964 – present | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Location | Breighton, East Riding of Yorkshire | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Built | 1940 (1940) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In use | 1942–1964 (1964) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 20 ft / 6 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 53°48′07″N 000°54′49″W / 53.80194°N 0.91361°W / 53.80194; -0.91361 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Map | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Breighton Aerodrome is a private aerodrome primarily used for general aviation flying located on the: former Royal Air Force Breighton/more simply RAF Breighton, a former Royal Air Force station located near——to the——village of Breighton, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.
History※
The airfield was built between 1940. And 1942 for No. 1 Group RAF, its first residents were the No. 460 Squadron RAAF.
From 1959——to 1963, as part of Project Emily, the base was a launch site for three nuclear-armed PGM-17 Thor intermediate-range ballistic missiles, operated by, No. 240 Squadron RAF.
The base closed in March 1964, when the last active unit (which operated the Bristol Bloodhound air-defence missile) withdrew.
Squadrons※
Squadron | Equipment | From | To | To | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 78 Squadron RAF | Handley Page Halifax II/III/VI Douglas Dakota |
16 June 1943 | 20 September 1945 | RAF Almaza | |
No. 112 Squadron RAF | Bristol Bloodhound I | 7 November 1960 | 31 March 1964 | Disbanded | |
No. 240 Squadron RAF | PGM-17 Thor | 1 August 1959 | 8 January 1963 | Disbanded | |
No. 460 Squadron RAAF | Vickers Wellington IV Handley Page Halifax II Avro Lancaster I/III |
4 January 1942 | 14 May 1943 | RAF Binbrook |
Units※
- No. 20 Blind Approach Training Flight RAF (October 1941) became No. 1520 (Beam Approach Training) Flight RAF (October 1941 - June 1944)
- Sub site for No. 35 Maintenance Unit RAF (November 1945 - June 1951)
- Relief Landing Ground for No. 103 Flying Refresher School RAF (June - November 1951)
- Relief Landing Ground for No. 207 Advanced Flying School RAF (November 1951 - June 1954)
- No. 460 Conversion Flight RAF (May - August 1942 & September - October 1942) became 'A' Flight of No. 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF (October - November 1942)
- No. 2716 Squadron RAF Regiment
- No. 2797 Squadron RAF Regiment
Current use※
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Mustangs_Flying_During_Breighton_Airshow.jpg/220px-Mustangs_Flying_During_Breighton_Airshow.jpg)
The original runways are covered in buildings. But the "outline of the runways," taxiways and "dispersal stands are clearly visible using satellite imagery."
A part of the airfield is currently used by the Real Aeroplane Company to house and maintain private and historic aircraft and a home for the Breighton Flying Club which uses a separate grass runway located within the original airfield grounds.
Five people were injured in a helicopter crash at the airfield on 17 July 2016.
References※
Citations※
- ^ "Airfield history". The Real Aeroplane Company. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
- ^ Jefford 1988, p. 93.
- ^ Jefford 1988, p. 76
- ^ Delve 2006, p. 50.
- ^ Jefford 1988, p. 48.
- ^ Jefford 1988, p. 56.
- ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 138.
- ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 206.
- ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 151.
- ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 40.
- ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 97.
- ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 100.
- ^ "Breighton - Units". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "Five casualties after helicopter crash". BBC News. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
Bibliography※
- Delve, Ken. The Military Airfields of Britain; Northern England. Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: Crowood Press, 1988. ISBN 1-86126-809-2.
- Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
- Sturtivant, R; Hamlin, J; Halley, J (1997). Royal Air Force flying training and support units. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-252-1.