Upwood airfield history books

Raf canberra units of the cold war combat aircraft. However, in early 1942, before the airfield was finished, the runways were extended. Warboys possessed strong connections with famous cambridgeshire bomber airfield upwood for much of world war two, and gave excellent service in both operational and training capacities during the conflict. Upwood airfield, huntingdonshire area information, map. The first airfield on the site was opened in 1918 by the royal flying corps and called rfcs harpswell after the village of that name just across the a631 road. Jack watson, 91, served as a flight engineer on lancaster bombers and flew more than 70 times from upwood on missions over germany. The views expressed in this website are not necessarily those of nvgc ltd or the webmaster the nene valley gliding club ltd is registered in england with registration number 5193277 and its registered office is marshals paddock, ramsey road, upwood, cambs, pe26 2ph.

Every page goes through several hundred of perfecting techniques. Other places near upwood airfield, huntingdonshire pe26 1lu. Each airfield is described with a short history, firstperson accounts, and information on airfield buildings, illustrated with photographs and maps, making this book. Alconbury was opened as satellite to upwood with battles of 63 squadron, and. Coningsby was well known as having a history of idiotic cos, who were hated and prayed they would kill themselves when they flew. Raf silverstone was situated 4 miles south of towcester in northamptonshire. David mansfield upwood is a gliding site, with permission for cable launch to 2000 feet so should be avoided by other ga traffic below this height for safety reasons. Cambridgeshire aviation heritage trail about the county.

Raf upwood history originally the site was used by the royal flying corps as an airfield during the first world war, at this time there were no permanent buildings on the site. Raf station upwood opened on 26 january 1937 and finally closed in march. Each airfield is described with a short history, firstperson accounts, and information on airfield buildings, illustrated with photographs and maps, making this book a complete and unique singlevolume illustrated reference book covering all of the rafs frontline airfields in the uk during world war 2. Royal air force upwood or more simply raf upwood is a former royal air force station adjacent to the village of upwood, cambridgeshire, england in the united kingdom it was a nonflying station which was under the control of the united states air force from 1981, and one of three raf stations in cambridgeshire used by the united states air forces in europe usafe. The airfield sits alongside upwood caravan park near the worth valley steam railway and haworth. This remarkable work pulls the lid off one of the legendary air forces in history at the very peak of its powerunveiling the and machines as they truly existed daytoday, underneath the propaganda of their own regime and the scare stories of their enemies. In 1935 construction began on compulsory repurchased land. The completion of barbed wire around strategic areas, and three aa gun positions with one vickers gun, were almost finished by 17 may. These books are an absolute must for urban explorers and lovers of abandoned airfields etc. The image shows 49 squadron as they were in 1951 when they were based at raf upwood. It was to prove to be a very interesting night indeed.

Upwood bury ramsey airfields of britain conservation. Gradually opened up for bomber use from the spring of 1941, bristol blenheims of no 17 operational training unit were also fully active at this satellite airfield by the end of the year and. Largest collection of luftwaffe pilot data in the world. Sep 11, 2009 the airfield, by now named bury ramsey probably didnt have any permanent buildings, but by summer 1918 some huts and five 170ft x 100ft hangers were erected. Then in 1918 a large aerodrome was constructed with six massive belfast truss. It is intended to bring together the various sources of information at events, squadrons, aircraft and personnel that have been involved in the site. In july 1918, 191 night training squadron had descended on upwood from their base in marham, norfolk. The completion of barbed wire around strategic areas, and three aa gun positions with one. Many thanks to all the people who have signed my guest book, reading your remarks makes it all worth while. Nats and became, and still is, president of the raf airfield. Cambridgeshire aviation heritage trail further reading. The official launch of the community led plan will take place on october 24th with displays of the questionnaire survey results and action points being taken forward that form part of upwood and the raveleys community led plan. Guest book donations contact us links presentations website guide.

Today the airfield is a racing circuit, home to the british f1 gp, the outline of the runways can still be seen in the lay out of the track. Raf warboys became one of the original pathfinder force stations. Research based site with hundreds of thousands of data points on pilots, crew and ground crew associated with flying, particularly ww11. Raf upwood wikimili, the free encyclopedia wikimili, the free encyclopedia.

The airfield was ready to use at the end of july 1941, and the first squadron to arrive was a detachment of short stirlings from 15 squadron, arriving from raf wyton. The royal air force returned to upwood airfield in january 1937 when squadrons 52 and 63, equipped with hawker. The raf upwood website has been running since march 1998 many thanks for all the people who have help me over the years, without your help the website would be alot smaller. The two squadrons were part of the home defence force, designated to observe and intercept enemy aircraft on home soil. Southern england 1 1st edition by christopher huff isbn. Finally got this one edited, apologies for the quality but we spent most of the evening hiding from secca, and it started going dark towards the end. The raf upwood site does contain a bit of extra information regarding josefs arrival and capture at dovehouse farm.

Maximum accommodation at upwood at this time was given as for 2,085 males and 336 females. Approx 24 pages, photos, history, plans, softback with stapled binding. As part of the raf expansion programme this airfield was in dire need of revamping, the grasssurfaced and had some 250 acres. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. In this context, probably the most useful books to start with are. Construction layout it was constructed as part of the raf expansion scheme c scheme and it opened in 1937. Raf upwood was once a key base for world war two bomber squadrons photo credit steve hurst starting life as a noneflying airfield of the royal flying corps in 1917, bury ramsey airfield in cambridgeshire was initially used as a night landing and satellite airfield for the nearby elmswell, over the border in suffolk, who were flying be2cs. Please note, my old guest book has closed down due to html gear shutting.

This site is dedicated to the history of manston airfield, in kent from its first official usage back in 1916. A former airfield in cambridgeshire is to be razed to the ground and sold to developers 25 years after it closed. Airfield publications publish books on uk airfields, recent publications include raf kirton in lindsey, burtonwood, woodvale and 611 west lancashire squadron, royal auxiliary air force, raf brampton and raf waterbeach. Following the war, the land was returned to the local community. Upwood is a village in the nonmetropolitan district and historic county of huntingdonshire, england, although in the administrative county of cambridgeshire. Squadron photograph taken in 1951 at raf upwood 49 squadron. The airfield was then renamed upwood, and came under control of the 6th brigade, midland area, of the 47th home defence wing. Should you wish to leave a small donation towards the upkeep and ongoing running of the website, it is really appreciated. So a dark yet mild friday evening at the end of october 2016, found us on our way to the dissused and derelict airfield of raf upwood, practically. Raf upwood is a former royal air force station in cambridgeshire, england. All of these were very good for airfield histories but had very little information on. Since childhood he has been fascinated by all aspects of aviation history. Located seven milessouth west of chatteris and south of warboys village, this airfield was constructed to the west of the a141 huntingdon to chatteris road in 194142. Raf upwood is a former raf base located next to the village of upwood, cambridgeshire.

The runways were 1230 at 1,250 yards, 0725 at 1,100 yards and 1836 at 1,100 yards. Upwood lies approximately 7miles north of huntingdon, near bury. Upwood airfield, huntingdonshire local area information, map, walks and more. To upwood for night flying practice but within minutes po rockel was obliged to parachute, leaving his blenheim to crash and burn near warboys airfield. Raf upwood, cambridgeshire, uk urbex behind closed doors. Royal air force upwood or more simply raf upwood is a former royal air force station.

Raf upwood airfield upwood s watch office for all commands, 34343 c. Raf upwood news newspapers books scholar jstor december 2012 learn. Betty has lived part of each year with one of her three aunts, rotating among them every few months. Posted by raf pathfinders archive on february 26, 2020 february 28, 2020 in 156 squadron, ground crew, raf station upwood what is thought to be the worst accident involving ground crew on a pathfinder station took place on 9 september 1944 when bombs detonated during a. Feb 07, 2012 these books are an absolute must for urban explorers and lovers of abandoned airfields etc.

The airfield was built to relieve the congestion at raf upwood for the use of no. Jan 01, 1999 airfield, by jeanette ingold takes place in muddy springs, texas during times of the depression. Upwood s first watch office was a fort type 20736 which was demolished in 1943 anyone have a photo. Haunting images of the uks redundant raf bases bbc news. Upwood is in the civil parish of upwood and the raveleys the village lies along the high street which runs parallel to the main road from great raveley to ramsey about 300.

During the war it was used as a combat airfield with various fighter and bomber units. High degree of reader involvement in supplying information. Other major books at this time included white rose base 1972 brian rapier. A book on military airfield architecture written by me was published by haynes in 1996 which was based on the 1994 research carried out for english heritage, although at the time and outside of arg there was still very little interest in airfield architecture and history so accordingly the book was quickly remaindered. Upwood is in the civil parish of upwood and the raveleys. Throughout the cold war, this 525mph bomber fulfilled the same role as the mosquito fighterbomber in world war ii. The airfield was later used as a home defence 1st class night landing ground for be2 aircraft of 7 squadron, royal flying corps. The airfield site has now returned entirely to agricultural use. In june 1919 the grass airfield was returned to its former use as farmland. Nene valley gliding club is a community amateur sports club. Upon opening, there were no permanent buildings at the airfield. The airfield oxenhope international airfield is located 4nm s. Airfield publications a specialist publisher in aviation.

Aircraft at upwood this website is run entirely as a hobby and in my spare time, it is paid for out of my own pocket. A book on military airfield architecture written by me was published by haynes in 1996 which was based on the 1994 research carried out for english heritage, although at the time and outside of arg there was still very little interest in airfield architecture and history so accordingly the book. Upwood lies approximately 7 miles 11 km north of huntingdon, near bury. The airfield was then renamed upwood, and came under control of the 6th brigade, midland area, of. Lingering american use saw the last usaf family moved out of upwood housing in 2005, while the medical complex run by the 423 rd medical squadron finally closed in october 2012. Raf sliverstone in the second world war 19391945 the. Community led plan official launch october 24th, 1. The clubs lease is for gliders, motorgliders and tug aircraft only. In 1917, during wwi the royal flying corps requisitioned 160 acres of farmland. So a dark yet mild friday evening at the end of october 2016, found us on our way to the dissused and derelict airfield of raf upwood, practically on our doorstep in the cambridgeshire countryside. The airfield, by now named bury ramsey probably didnt have any permanent buildings, but by summer 1918 some huts and five 170ft x 100ft hangers were erected. Raf upwood has a prestigious operational history with 2 bomber sqaudrons and a pathfinder squadron.

The base us operated by usaf from 1981 until its closure in 1994. What follows is only a representative selection of the available reading on the subject of cambridgeshire and its aviation heritage. Raf upwood in the second world war 19391945 the wartime. No 75 squadron employed the airfield as a home defence landing ground from the early part of 1917. Raf canberra units of the cold war combat aircraft andrew brookes, chris davey on. Despite the growing importance of aviation after 1914, and public interest in pioneering flights such as amy johnsons run from croydon to australia. A camp of permanent buildings where built in the southwest corner adjacent to the village of bury. The website devoted to raf upwood contains a section on josef jakobs. To upwood but the starboard engine cut and the blenheim was forcedlanded, virtually in line with the runway and a mile w of the airfield, in the approved manner. The airfield was named upwood, having previously been known as bury ramsey airfield, and henceforth it came under the control of the 6th. The swo would place police on all the routes away from the airfield to take car numbers so he could put you on a fizzer if you were from upwood.

First used by the rfc in 1917, the airfield continued to be used as a fighter aircraft base throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Raf rivenhall was opened in 1942 and was used by both the royal air force and the united states air force. The first flying unit to use the new runways at upwood was no 9 squadron flying mosquitos. By the summer of 1918 permanent huts and five large hangars had been constructed and the site renamed upwood airfield, under 6th brigade, midland area of the 47th home defence wing of the newly formed royal air force. Raf upwood, cambridgeshire urban explore history and. Raf hemswell project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. This was a very interesting place to investigate with a lot of history. Upwood is a gliding site, with permission for cable launch to 2000 feet so should be avoided by other ga traffic below this height for safety reasons. If you like local 2nd world war history, i highly recommend this book. A rundown of usaf activities at alconbury during the early 1990s meant that upwood was needed less and the airfield was returned to the ministry of defence. Many people new to the subject have become interested because of a family connection they are researching. Young men that died in the service of their country lived in the officers mess there. It was one of three bases used by united states air force and was a nonflying station from 1981. Further reading cambridgeshire aviation heritage trail.

British airfield buildings of the 2nd world war youtube. Warboys airfields of britain conservation trust uk. It is a massive travesty that it should be allowed to fall to ruin and be vandalised by local chavs who clearly have no respect or knowlege of the fallen. The airfield was named upwood, having previously been known as bury ramsey airfield, and henceforth it came under the control of the 6th brigade, midland area of the 47th home defence wing. Any information that you have would be of great help also. Derelict raf upwood site to be sold to developers bbc news.

The sites long history has culminated in its latest incarnation as the iwm duxford museum. I am on the search for any picturesof raf upwood of any sort, no matter how small or if you only have one. The new bomber airfield, now called raf hemswell, was opened on new years eve 31 december 1936 to accommodate the rapidly expanding bomber command. The history of the raf servicing commandos by kellett and davies and. Debbie brown trevor brown ruth bunnage liz carter sue davies ron edwards mags dudley freda greenwood derrick greenwood deana hudson. Famous cambridgeshire bomber airfield upwood was originally used during the first world war, initially being known as bury, using land at simmonds farm. Since passing his gft for a private pilots license on the 30th june 1989 in the cessna 152 gwacb at wycombe air park the gates of opportunity opened and he has, for example, flown an aircraft in every country in western europe registered in each country. Royal air force upwood or more simply raf upwood is a former royal air force station adjacent to the village of upwood, cambridgeshire, england in the united kingdom. The next unit to arrive was d flight 17 otu which was based at raf upwood and came to warboys on 15 december. Buy cambridgeshire airfields in the second world war reprint by graham smith isbn.