RAF Ossington

Royal Air Force Ossington or more simply RAF Ossington is a former Royal Air Force station located near the village of Ossington, Nottinghamshire, England.

RAF Ossington
Ossington, Nottinghamshire in England
RAF Ossington
Shown within Nottinghamshire
Coordinates53°10′37″N 0°53′15″W
Site information
OwnerOssington Estate
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byRAF Flying Training Command
ConditionDisused
Site history
Built1941 (1941)
In use1942-1946 (1946)
Battles/warsSecond World War

History

Construction of the airfield began in 1941, with the aim of completion by 1942. It was constructed as standard A-shaped bomber airfield with 3 hard runways, the longest of the 3 being just over 1.5 km long. After completion, the airfield was put under Number 5 Group, RAF Bomber Command.[1]

In January 1942, the airfield became an RAF Flying Training Command station flying Airspeed Oxfords. May 1942 saw the Number 14 AFU move to Banff, Scotland.[1]

After this period, the airfield returned to the control of Bomber Command, Number 93 Group and became a satellite station of RAF Gamston. On 1 June 1943 No. 82 OTU formed using Vickers Wellingtons as was standard at the time, along with 5 Miles Martinets as target tugs for gunner training.[1]

On 9 August 1943, a crew from RAF Ossington was lost after the starboard engine of their Vickers Wellington Mk.X (MS471) during a cross-country training exercise. On 21 August 1943, Vickers Wellington Mk.X (HE332) collided with trees on its landing approach after another cross-country training exercise. Again, later in the year, the crew of Vickers Wellington Mk.III (BK387) encountered low fog and hit high ground at Tewitt Hall Wood. On 22 May 1944 a midair collision occurred between Vickers Wellington Mk.III (BJ819) and Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I (P7820). Both aircraft crash-landed safely at a field in Leverton, Lincolnshire.[1]

In June 1944, the OTU was joined at RAF Ossington by Number 1685 Training Flight with Curtiss Tomahawks where they stayed briefly. No. 82 OTU stayed until January 1945, when they were disbanded.[1]

Like many stations, RAF Ossington was transferred to RAF Transport Command where pilots were trained to fly Avro Lancasters and Avro Lancastrians on the London to New Zealand route.[1]

Eventually, the runways were broken up for the construction of the A1 (though some taxiways and buildings have survived).

The following units were here at some point:[2]

References
  1. Brooks, Robin J. (2003). Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Airfields in the Second World War. 3 Catherine Road, Newbury, Berkshire, England: Countryside Books. pp. 126, 127, 128, 129. ISBN 1853067997.CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. "Ossington". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
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