RAF Dishforth

RAF Dishforth opened in 1936.[1] At the beginning of the Second World War it became part of 4 Group, RAF Bomber Command, and was used for recruit training. Between September 1939 and April 1941, No. 78 Squadron RAF used it to launch night operations using Armstrong Whitworth Whitley medium bombers. Between 1943 and 1945 the station was used by No. 6 (RCAF) Group Bomber Command and was a sub-station of RAF Topcliffe. Immediately after the war the station was used to convert aircrew to the Douglas Dakota transport aircraft.[2]

In the late 1950s RAF Transport Command operated Handley Page Hastings and from 1957 30 Squadron operated the Blackburn Beverley from Dishforth.

From 1962 to 1966 Dishforth was home to Leeds University Air Squadron flying the de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk T Mk 10.[3]

RAF Dishforth was home to No. 60 Maintenance Unit RAF between 1 March 1962 and 2 February 1966.[4]

RAF Dishforth was used as a Relief Landing Ground for the Jet Provosts of RAF Leeming with personnel deployed from RAF Leeming on a day-to-day basis.

Dishforth was transferred from the RAF to Army Air Corps use by 9 Regiment AAC in 1992.

Vulcan aircraft were dispersed to Dishforth during exercises, and would have been dispersed from RAF Scampton during any hostilities during the Cold War.

During the 70's and 80's part of the base was used as a police training centre for northern English police forces from Northumbria down to Hertfordshire.

• 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.