NorthWest Exploration Forum

NorthWest Exploration Forum (http://www.nwex.co.uk/index.php)
-   Military Sites (http://www.nwex.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=25)
-   -   RAF Gamston (Notts) (http://www.nwex.co.uk/showthread.php?t=9830)

tigger 25-01-2012 11:58

RAF Gamston (Notts)
 
Fairly quiet on here so thought folks might like to see some non-NW stuff.

History (from wikipedia):

"Gamston airport was originally built as an Royal Air Force aerodrome, to the familiar three runway configuration (of which only one remains in common usage), and came into service in December 1942. It was part of the RAF Training Command as well as a 'satellite' to Ossington Airfield, 8 mi (13 km) to the south. In May 1943 the field was transferred to 93 Group, Bomber Command Training.

In June the same year Operational Training Unit No. 82 arrived with Wellington Mk. III and Mk. X bombers, Martinets (used for towing drogue targets) and Hawker Hurricanes. A year later the unit became Operational Training Unit No. 86 with a new role; night training for Wellington Bomber crew.

By October 1944, Gamston was transferred to No. 7 Group, Bomber Command. A month later No. 3 Aircrew School joined them from Shepherds Grove.

1945 saw the disbanding of No. 3 Aircrew School and the arrival of No. 30 Operational Training Unit transferred from Hixon, Staffordshire with more Wellington Bombers. After the end of World War II all training ceased and the airport was closed.

In May 1953 the airport was reopened as a satellite for nearby Worksop Airport and 211 Advanced Flying School (later No. 4 Flying Training School) made it their base, flying Meteors and Vampires.

The airfield was withdrawn from military service in 1957 and was, for a while, used as a motor racing circuit by Nottingham Sports Car Club. The airport is today owned and operated by Gamston Aviation Limited which purchased the operation in July 1993."

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2791.jpg

RAF watch office, now a private residence:
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2786.jpg

Signal square (overgrown but in very good condition):
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2785.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2775.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2772.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2770.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2750.jpg

Bomb store:
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2839.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2842.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2844.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2845.jpg

25 yard mg range:
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2801.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2809.jpg

Picket post at entrance to bulk fuel store:
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2822.jpg


Retford airport viewed from the technical site:
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2789.jpg

Gamston VOR (built on a spectacle dispersal):
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/_ILT2850.jpg

More photos at: http://photobucket.com/gamston


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:10.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
© 2008-2015. Photographs and text are copyright and the property of the poster unless otherwise stated, and should not be used without express written permission.
Any opinions stated by users of this forum are NOT those of the site owners, each poster takes FULL responsibility for their own posts.