RAF Church Fenton
Encyclopedia
RAF Church Fenton is a Royal Air Force
airfield at Church Fenton
in North Yorkshire
, England
.
were announced in June 1935, it was subject to protest from the local population particularly concerning the waste of valuable farming land and was close to an existing airfield 2 mi (3.2 km) away at Sherburn. Despite the protests construction started in early 1936 on the 260 acres (1.1 km²) site, a mixture of private and West Riding County Council-owned farm land.
On 1 April 1937 the station was declared open and on the 19 April the first station commander Wing Commander W.E. Swann assumed command. Within two months 71 Sqn
had arrived with the Gloster Gladiator
.
Opened in 1937, it saw the peak of its activity during the years of World War II
, when it served within the defence network of fighter bases of the RAF
providing protection for the Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Humberside industrial regions.
In September 1940 it became home to the first RAF "Eagle squadron
" of American volunteers (71
). It also hosted the first all-Canadian RAF Squadron (242) and the first all-Polish RAF Squadron (306).
As technologies evolved, the first night fighter
Operational Training Unit (54 OTU) was formed at Church Fenton in 1940 and stayed until 1942. Some of the squadrons stationed there flew the famous De Havilland Mosquito
.
After the war it at first retained its role as a fighter base, being among the first to receive modern jet aircraft, namely the Gloster Meteor
and the Hawker Hunter
. In later years, its role was mainly flight training, from 1973 for a few years being home to the Royal Navy Elementary Flying Training School (RNEFTS) using the Jet Provost T3, and again 1979-1992, triggered by the introduction of the Panavia Tornado
, being the first station to receive the new turboprop-powered Short Tucano
T1 basic fast jet trainers. From 1998-2003 Church Fenton was the RAF's main Elementary Flying Training airfield.
The Station headquarters remains and incorporates YUAS’s administration, presentation and social facilities. There is a canteen facility known as the "feeder" and a basic accommodation block.
RAF Church Fenton is also home to 2434 (Church Fenton) Squadron Air Training Corps
.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
airfield at Church Fenton
Church Fenton
Church Fenton is a village and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England. The village is home to many commuters and is served by a railway station; Church Fenton railway station. Neighbouring villages include Cawood and Ulleskelf. It is about from Tadcaster and from...
in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
History
Plans for a new airfield adjacent to the village of Church FentonChurch Fenton
Church Fenton is a village and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England. The village is home to many commuters and is served by a railway station; Church Fenton railway station. Neighbouring villages include Cawood and Ulleskelf. It is about from Tadcaster and from...
were announced in June 1935, it was subject to protest from the local population particularly concerning the waste of valuable farming land and was close to an existing airfield 2 mi (3.2 km) away at Sherburn. Despite the protests construction started in early 1936 on the 260 acres (1.1 km²) site, a mixture of private and West Riding County Council-owned farm land.
On 1 April 1937 the station was declared open and on the 19 April the first station commander Wing Commander W.E. Swann assumed command. Within two months 71 Sqn
No. 71 Squadron RAF
No. 71 Squadron is a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron, the number has been used three times, once by the Royal Flying Corps for an Australian Flying Corps squadron, in the second world war as an Eagle Squadron and post-war as a fighter-bomber unit based in Royal Air Force Germany.-First World...
had arrived with the Gloster Gladiator
Gloster Gladiator
The Gloster Gladiator was a British-built biplane fighter. It was used by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy and was exported to a number of other air forces during the late 1930s. It was the RAF's last biplane fighter aircraft and was rendered obsolete by newer monoplane designs even as it...
.
Opened in 1937, it saw the peak of its activity during the years of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when it served within the defence network of fighter bases of the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
providing protection for the Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Humberside industrial regions.
In September 1940 it became home to the first RAF "Eagle squadron
Eagle squadron
The Eagle Squadrons were 3 fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force formed during World War II with volunteer pilots from the United States...
" of American volunteers (71
No. 71 Squadron RAF
No. 71 Squadron is a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron, the number has been used three times, once by the Royal Flying Corps for an Australian Flying Corps squadron, in the second world war as an Eagle Squadron and post-war as a fighter-bomber unit based in Royal Air Force Germany.-First World...
). It also hosted the first all-Canadian RAF Squadron (242) and the first all-Polish RAF Squadron (306).
As technologies evolved, the first night fighter
Night fighter
A night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility...
Operational Training Unit (54 OTU) was formed at Church Fenton in 1940 and stayed until 1942. Some of the squadrons stationed there flew the famous De Havilland Mosquito
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
.
After the war it at first retained its role as a fighter base, being among the first to receive modern jet aircraft, namely the Gloster Meteor
Gloster Meteor
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
and the Hawker Hunter
Hawker Hunter
The Hawker Hunter is a subsonic British jet aircraft developed in the 1950s. The single-seat Hunter entered service as a manoeuvrable fighter aircraft, and later operated in fighter-bomber and reconnaissance roles in numerous conflicts. Two-seat variants remained in use for training and secondary...
. In later years, its role was mainly flight training, from 1973 for a few years being home to the Royal Navy Elementary Flying Training School (RNEFTS) using the Jet Provost T3, and again 1979-1992, triggered by the introduction of the Panavia Tornado
Panavia Tornado
The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft, which was jointly developed and manufactured by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy...
, being the first station to receive the new turboprop-powered Short Tucano
Short Tucano
|-See also:-External links:*...
T1 basic fast jet trainers. From 1998-2003 Church Fenton was the RAF's main Elementary Flying Training airfield.
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron and ATC
The base is still home to Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron and it is from there that they conduct their flying training in the Grob Tutor Aircraft. Much of the base is now derelict and fenced off and the Officers Mess has been demolished. The airside section of the base remains open with various hangars incorporating YUAS’s aircraft, engineering support, fire/ambulance facilities and a sports hangar. The base still has a fully functioning and manned Air Traffic Control Tower.The Station headquarters remains and incorporates YUAS’s administration, presentation and social facilities. There is a canteen facility known as the "feeder" and a basic accommodation block.
RAF Church Fenton is also home to 2434 (Church Fenton) Squadron Air Training Corps
Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps , commonly known as the Air Cadets, is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation and the Royal Air Force . It is supported by the Ministry of Defence, with a regular RAF Officer, currently Air...
.
Operational units
- Yorkshire Universities Air SquadronUniversity Air SquadronUniversity Air Squadrons are training units of the Royal Air Force which primarily provide basic flying training, force development and adventurous training to undergraduate students at British universities...
- 85(R) SquadronNo. 85 Squadron RAFNo. 85 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It most recently served as No. 85 Squadron based at RAF Church Fenton.-In World War I:...
of No.1 Elementary Flying Training School - No. 9 A.E.F.Air Experience FlightAn Air Experience Flight is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to Air Cadets or the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force...
- 2434 (Church Fenton) Squadron ATC
External links
- Church Fenton (short official mention)
- RAF Church Fenton (illustrated private site)