This article highlights a few of the more comprehensive sites
One of the most prominent and ubiquitous memorials of this tragic struggle is the Second World War airfields scattered throughout Britain. Some have been modified and are still in use today, while others have been transformed into parks, industrial estates, or museums. Some are now all but forgotten or have been built over.
In his stunning book British Airfields of the Second World War, aviation historian Stuart Hadaway describes how the UK is home to hundreds of airfield remnants, ranging from nearly finished installations to lone structures or runway segments. This article covers a handful of the more extensive locations with groups of well-maintained buildings. The majority also have different interpretations or support from aircraft museums.
Imperial War Museum Duxford, Duxford, Cambridgeshire CB22 4QR. Telephone: 0207 4165000. Website www. iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford —This is unquestionably one of the most impressive aircraft museums in the UK, and it also happens to be a well-preserved airfield that is still in use. Although some of the hangars and other structures were erected after World War II or specifically for the museum, the majority of the flight line and the Technical Site behind it are original structures from the 1920s to the 1940s. Along with the squadron offices, different workshops, and hangars, the A505 staff entrance also has the Station Headquarters and Guard Room on either side.
The unique gun butts are likewise in good repair, and the Motor Transport Sheds are still standing and in operation. The Domestic Site, which has messes and barracks, lies on the A505’s northern side. Many of these formerly residential structures are now used as museum offices or shops, and they are not usually open to the public. However, there is free public parking here and you can get a close-up view of the buildings on days when there is an air show, which is well worth going to just for that.
Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon, Grahame Park Way, Hendon, London NW9 5LL. Telephone: 020 82052266. Website: www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london — This is another site of national importance, and there are a lot of noteworthy buildings, despite being much smaller than IWM Duxford. The Grahame White Factory and Watch Office (Hangar 2) are First World War relics, but nearby are a collection of Expansion Period workshops (now the museum’s own workshops and “Claude’s Café”) and a parachute packing shed (Building 69), which is recognizable by its distinctive raised center section in the roof, which allowed parachutes to be hung up for inspection.
While their ends have been cut off and they are enclosed in an exterior shell, the Historic Hangars (Hangars 3 and 4) were constructed during the First World War and were employed throughout the interwar and Second World Wars. If you look above, you can still see the original Belfast roof trusses. Wartime hangars can be found at the RAF Museum’s other location in Cosford (Shiinal, Shropshire TF11 8UP; phone: 01902 376 200).
The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Spilsby, Lincolnshire PE,23 4DE. Telephone: 01790 763207. Website: www.lincsaviation.co.uk —At the time of writing, the Avro Lancaster “Just Jane” at this Lincolnshire airfield is still regularly taxied around the airfield, although there are plans in action to restore her to flying condition. Just Jane is merely one of the local attractions. There are other buildings on the airfield that house an impressive museum collection in addition to the historic control tower, which has been repaired.
Kenley Airfield, Kenley, Surrey CR3 5LZ. Website: www. kenleyrevival.org — According to Kenley, it is the most complete RAF fighter station that is still operational. The location currently serves as a glider airport and still preserves the original wartime layout of the runways and taxiways. There are still many buildings, dispersal areas, and a rifle range. Numerous interpretation boards may be seen at the location, and visitors can download self-guided walks from their website.
Airworlel Aviation Museum, Caernarfon Airport, Dinas Dinlle, Caernarfon LL54 5TP. Telephone: 01286 832154. Website: www.airworldmuseum.com — Here’s another museum located on a working airfield. In addition to having a good example of a 1941 control tower that is still in service, the location of the former RAF Llandwrog is now known as Caernarfon Airport. A nearby museum houses a variety of airplanes and has a display devoted to the RAF Mountain Rescue Service. The ruins of the flying boat base at Llanfaes are located outside of Beaumaris on the other side of the Menai Straits. Some of the slipways and buildings still survive.
RAF Drem, Arts and Crafts Gallery, Fenton Barns, Drem, East Lothian EH39 5BW. Website: www.rafdrem.co.uk — A minor museum is also located at RAF Drem, and the nearby Fenton Barns Retail Village is home to several remaining buildings, including two hangars.
This is merely a partial list. Buildings and infrastructure can be discovered all around the nation for the intrepid airfield spotter. At Kemble (now Cotwolds Airport), Hullavington, Manby, West Raynham, Bicester, Church Fenton, North Weald, and Kirton-in-Lindsay, to name a few, there are concentrations of them (without supporting museums). There are several great internet resources available to help you locate some in your area or for specific building types.
The Airfield Research Group is a mine of information, including a forum accessible to non-members (www. airfieldresearchgroup.org.uk), and the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust has a searchable list of over 3,338 sites (www.abct.org.uk). At www.ukairfields.org.uk, the Owner has attempted to list all UK airfields, aviation memorials, and other associated sites. The site www.controltowers.co.uk is, as the name suggests, a list of control towers and their basic histories, and again can be searched by airfield name. A large number of old airfield buildings now enjoy listed status and can be found on the Historic England database at www.historicengland.org.uk. Some areas also have their own, more specific websites, such as the Bomber County Aviation Resource (www.bcar.org.uk), which has a wealth of information on sites in Lincolnshire.
British Airfields of the Second World War is published by Shire Publications and is available to order here.
Photo by Paul Lakin, Panhard and IdreamofJeanie via Wikipedia