North Luffenham, Rutland
North Luffenham / Edith Weston
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Opened :
Closed : Current use : IATA : ICAO : EDOFBID : This page updated : USAAF Sta No : Website : |
December 1940
1998 Ministry of Defence / St Georges Barracks N/A N/A e01005 30 September 2016 477 N/A |
Construction of RAF North Luffenham started in 1939 and the airfield opened in December 1940. The role of the base at this stage was training with No.17 EFTS being formed at the station in January 1941 with Tiger Moths. By the summer of 1941 No.17 EFTS had moved to Peterborough to make way for operational units. In July, No.61 and No.144 Squadrons moved to North Luffenham from Hemswell, both Squadrons flew Handley Page Hampdens. October 1941 saw No.61 Squadron move to Woolfox Lodge having recently transferred to Avro Manchesters.
No.144 Squadron was the sole resident at North Luffenham until late April 1942 when it was transferred from Bomber to Coastal Command moving north to Scotland.
North Luffenham was then relinquished to training command in April 1942 and No.29 OTU was formed here using Wellingtons, remaining here until June 1943. While they were based here, three T2 Hangars were erected on the north side of the airfield, a MAP B1 hangar was also erected on the technical site during 1943, the new hangars were intended for the Hamilcars.
No.29 OTU moved to Bruntingthorpe in June 1943 so that hard runways could be built at North Luffenham. The work was carried out by George Wimpey & Co. The new runways were 08/26 (6000x150 ft), 01/19 (4200x150 ft) and 14/32 (4200x150 ft) with 36 loop type hardstandings. Token Construction Company Ltd built additional accommodation at this time as well.
The airfield re-opened in March 1944 and was used by No.21 HGCU with Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys and Horsa Gliders. Albermarles replaced the Whitleys during the summer and the unit moved out in September 1944.
No.1653 HCU arrived from Chedburgh with Stirlings, Lancasters and a few other types and they stayed in residence until October 1945.
The airfield was then placed on care and maintenance for a short while before No.21 HGCU returned with Dakotas and Halifax aircraft for tugs and both Horsa and Hamilcar gliders. By 1948 the gliders had been withdrawn from use and No.21 HGCU was re-organised as No.230 OCU, their role was to train crews for RAF Transport Command. They remained here until 1951.
During 1951 the airfield was handed over to the Royal Canadian Air Force and became home to No.1 Fighter Wing, and three squadrons of F-86 Sabres. RAF North Luffenham was the first Canadian NATO base in Europe.
In April 1954 the RAF took control of the airfield again and No.228 OCU and No.228 OCU took up residence. In June 1958 the base was selected to become the headquarters site for one of the Thor missile wings, a role that lasted until 1963.
In mid 1964 No.3 Ground Radio Servicing Squadron moved in from RAF Norton. A unit of the RAF School of Aviation Medicine was also established in early 1960s. The Joint Services Language School was based here from 1965 until 1997 and the station closed later the same year.
In 1998 the Royal Anglian Regiment moved to North Luffenham from Oakington and are based within the technical site, now known as St George's Barracks. The airfield site is parented by RAF Wittering and is used for bomb disposal exercises. The barracks is due to close by 2029 and the site will likely be sold for development.
No.144 Squadron was the sole resident at North Luffenham until late April 1942 when it was transferred from Bomber to Coastal Command moving north to Scotland.
North Luffenham was then relinquished to training command in April 1942 and No.29 OTU was formed here using Wellingtons, remaining here until June 1943. While they were based here, three T2 Hangars were erected on the north side of the airfield, a MAP B1 hangar was also erected on the technical site during 1943, the new hangars were intended for the Hamilcars.
No.29 OTU moved to Bruntingthorpe in June 1943 so that hard runways could be built at North Luffenham. The work was carried out by George Wimpey & Co. The new runways were 08/26 (6000x150 ft), 01/19 (4200x150 ft) and 14/32 (4200x150 ft) with 36 loop type hardstandings. Token Construction Company Ltd built additional accommodation at this time as well.
The airfield re-opened in March 1944 and was used by No.21 HGCU with Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys and Horsa Gliders. Albermarles replaced the Whitleys during the summer and the unit moved out in September 1944.
No.1653 HCU arrived from Chedburgh with Stirlings, Lancasters and a few other types and they stayed in residence until October 1945.
The airfield was then placed on care and maintenance for a short while before No.21 HGCU returned with Dakotas and Halifax aircraft for tugs and both Horsa and Hamilcar gliders. By 1948 the gliders had been withdrawn from use and No.21 HGCU was re-organised as No.230 OCU, their role was to train crews for RAF Transport Command. They remained here until 1951.
During 1951 the airfield was handed over to the Royal Canadian Air Force and became home to No.1 Fighter Wing, and three squadrons of F-86 Sabres. RAF North Luffenham was the first Canadian NATO base in Europe.
In April 1954 the RAF took control of the airfield again and No.228 OCU and No.228 OCU took up residence. In June 1958 the base was selected to become the headquarters site for one of the Thor missile wings, a role that lasted until 1963.
In mid 1964 No.3 Ground Radio Servicing Squadron moved in from RAF Norton. A unit of the RAF School of Aviation Medicine was also established in early 1960s. The Joint Services Language School was based here from 1965 until 1997 and the station closed later the same year.
In 1998 the Royal Anglian Regiment moved to North Luffenham from Oakington and are based within the technical site, now known as St George's Barracks. The airfield site is parented by RAF Wittering and is used for bomb disposal exercises. The barracks is due to close by 2029 and the site will likely be sold for development.
AIRFIELD SITE
AIRFIELD SITE : Air Raid Shelter
EDOFBID : e25018
AIRFIELD SITE : Aircraft Dispersal
AIRFIELD SITE : Aircraft Readiness Platform (Runway 26)
AIRFIELD SITE : Aircraft Servicing Platform
AIRFIELD SITE : Bomb Stores
AIRFIELD SITE : Control Tower
AIRFIELD SITE : Duct Remains at Hardstand 46
AIRFIELD SITE : Hangars / T2 Type Aircraft Sheds
AIRFIELD SITE : Holophane AMWD Type LR/22-5D Runway Light
AIRFIELD SITE : Holophane AMWD Type LR/22-5S Runway Light
AIRFIELD SITE : Incendiary Bomb & Pyrotechnic Store
AIRFIELD SITE : Light/Heavy Fusing Point Building
AIRFIELD SITE : Midland Radar Operations Room & Offices
This building is thought to have been built as the Mk.1 Bloodhound Targeting & Control Facility, later re-purposed for use by Midland Radar.
AIRFIELD SITE : Open Bomb Stores
AIRFIELD SITE : Precision Approach Radar
AIRFIELD SITE : Runway 01/19
AIRFIELD SITE : Runway 08/26
AIRFIELD SITE : Runway 14/32
AIRFIELD SITE : Standby Set House
AIRFIELD SITE : Taxiways
AIRFIELD SITE : Type 82 Radar Tower
AIRFIELD SITE : UNITER Building
AIRFIELD SITE : Unknown 01
AIRFIELD SITE : Unknown 02
AIRFIELD SITE : Unknown 03
AIRFIELD SITE : Yarnold Sangar Pillbox
BUILDING 208 : Unknown
BUILDING 224 : Unknown
BUILDING 225 : Ground to Air Transmitter Building
Ths building looked to have housed Cossor V/UHF single channel transmitters and amplifiers.
PROJECT EMILY (THOR)
BUILDING 191 : Thor Missile Surveillance and Inspection Building
PROJECT EMILY (THOR) : Thor Launch Pad (LE46)
PROJECT EMILY (THOR) : Thor Launch Pad (LE47)
PROJECT EMILY (THOR) : Thor Launch Pad (LE48)
MEMORIALS AT NORTH LUFFENHAM
MEMORIAL SITE : Church of St John the Baptist
MEMORIAL SITE : North Luffenham (St John the Baptist) Churchyard
Buried and Remembered in this Churchyard are:
Aircraftman F Bowen (Royal Air Force)
Corporal H Brogan (Royal Air Force)
Flight Sergeant Keith Lauchlan Campbell (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Flight Sergeant Ernest Kitchener Churchill (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Sergeant Leonard Francis Croker (Royal New Zealand Air Force)
Squadron Leader James Donald Dickson (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Junior Technician D B Dominy (Royal Air Force)
Sergeant John Angus Douglas (Royal Australian Air Force)
Flying Officer Leonard James Elphik (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Flying Officer Arthur Malcolm Gillies (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Chief Technician Derek Michael Higgins (Royal Air Force)
Sergeant Eric Horton (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Kennedy (Royal Air Force)
Sergeant Alexander Mitchell Laing (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Flight Sergeant Richard Hubery Lewis (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Flight Sergeant David Lloyd Carnegy Liddell (Royal New Zealand Air Force)
Sergeant R A Light (Royal Air Force)
Sergeant Tom Lindley (Royal New Zealand Air Force)
Sergeant Kenneth Hughes Long (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Flight Sergeant Fernand Fagan MacKinnon (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Aircraftman 2nd Class Frederick George Malin (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Leading Aircraftman Thomas Arthur McNeilly (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Sergeant William Douglas Morris (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Sergeant Hugh Morrison (Royal New Zealand Air Force)
Sergeant Brendan Francis Mullett (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Flying Officer Arthur Edgar Rayner (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Aircraftman 1st Class George Roberts (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Flying Officer Pattee Vernon Robinson (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Senior Aircraftman D T Rogers (Royal Air Force)
Leading Aircraftman Clarence Harold Rosin (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Senior Aircraftman S A Sharp (Royal Air Force)
Corporal J A Surgeon (Royal Air Force)
Flying Officer David Gordon Tracey (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Sergeant Ronald George Walters (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Sergeant Harold Douglas Weaver (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Leading Aircraftman Keith Samuel Wilkings (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Sergeant Albert Barclay Wright (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Flight Sergeant James Roslyn Young (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Aircraftman F Bowen (Royal Air Force)
Corporal H Brogan (Royal Air Force)
Flight Sergeant Keith Lauchlan Campbell (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Flight Sergeant Ernest Kitchener Churchill (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Sergeant Leonard Francis Croker (Royal New Zealand Air Force)
Squadron Leader James Donald Dickson (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Junior Technician D B Dominy (Royal Air Force)
Sergeant John Angus Douglas (Royal Australian Air Force)
Flying Officer Leonard James Elphik (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Flying Officer Arthur Malcolm Gillies (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Chief Technician Derek Michael Higgins (Royal Air Force)
Sergeant Eric Horton (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Kennedy (Royal Air Force)
Sergeant Alexander Mitchell Laing (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Flight Sergeant Richard Hubery Lewis (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Flight Sergeant David Lloyd Carnegy Liddell (Royal New Zealand Air Force)
Sergeant R A Light (Royal Air Force)
Sergeant Tom Lindley (Royal New Zealand Air Force)
Sergeant Kenneth Hughes Long (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Flight Sergeant Fernand Fagan MacKinnon (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Aircraftman 2nd Class Frederick George Malin (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Leading Aircraftman Thomas Arthur McNeilly (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Sergeant William Douglas Morris (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Sergeant Hugh Morrison (Royal New Zealand Air Force)
Sergeant Brendan Francis Mullett (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Flying Officer Arthur Edgar Rayner (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Aircraftman 1st Class George Roberts (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Flying Officer Pattee Vernon Robinson (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Senior Aircraftman D T Rogers (Royal Air Force)
Leading Aircraftman Clarence Harold Rosin (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Senior Aircraftman S A Sharp (Royal Air Force)
Corporal J A Surgeon (Royal Air Force)
Flying Officer David Gordon Tracey (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Sergeant Ronald George Walters (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Sergeant Harold Douglas Weaver (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Leading Aircraftman Keith Samuel Wilkings (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Sergeant Albert Barclay Wright (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve)
Flight Sergeant James Roslyn Young (Royal Canadian Air Force)
MEMORIAL SITE : RAF North Luffenham Memorial Gates
MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUS : Aircraft at North Luffenham
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REGISTRATION / SERIAL
XG194
XV804 XT905 XP344 |
TYPE
Hawker Hunter FGA.9
Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3 McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom FGR.2 Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 |
NOTES / STATUS
Now at Wattisham Station Heritage Museum.
Now at Pima Air & Space Museum, USA. Now at BPAG, Kemble, Gloucestershire. Derelict at North Luffenham. |
MISCELLANEOUS : Mobile Hypobaric Chamber
MISCELLANEOUS : North Luffenham Village Sign
