RAF Skellingthorpe
Encyclopedia
The former Royal Air Force Station Skellingthorpe, more commonly known as RAF Skellingthorpe was a station of the Royal Air Force
during World War II
. It was located in the city of Lincoln
, England
. It was known as Skelly by the RAF personnel serving there.
Station
, RAF Skellingthorpe opened in 1941 on a field previously known as Black Moor, approximately 2 miles south-east of the village of Skellingthorpe
. Today that site is the area known as Birchwood. The local public house, The Black Swan, was named after the R/T call sign of the airfield.
The airfield consisted of the standard pattern of three runways, with one Type B1 and two Type T2 hangars. Nissen hut
s were used for accommodation.
was the first squadron based at Skellingthorpe, with the first detachment of personnel arriving shortly before the runways were complete. 50 Squadron were equipped with Hampdens
. They were followed by No. 455 Squadron RAAF
(also flying Hampdens), however the squadron moved to RAF Wigsley shortly afterwards. 50 Squadron's aircraft were replaced with Avro Manchester
aircraft in April 1942.
In June 1942 Skellingthorpe was closed for runway extensions in order to cope with the new Avro Lancaster
aircraft that 50 Squadron had converted to.
In November 1943, a second bomber squadron operating Avro Lancasters arrived at Skellingthorpe. No. 61 Squadron RAF remained at the station until February 1944, when moved to RAF Coningsby
so that accommodation could be built on the Doddington Road side of the airfield at Skellingthorpe.
During the war, the tally of bombers lost or failed to return from Skellingthorpe reached 208: 15 Hampdens, six Manchesters and 187 Lancasters.
was built on the airfield in the 1970s, and the A46
Lincoln Bypass was built on it in 1986.
and is open daily to the general public.
and No. 61 Squadron RAF, a small museum has been set up in the Birchwood Community Centre in Lincoln
. Included in the museum is memorabilia from the aircraft used by the squadrons, photographs and records. The 50 Squadron and 61 Squadron Books of Remembrance are also held there. Entrance is free and open to the general public daily.
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...
during 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...
. It was located in the city of Lincoln
Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Lincoln is a cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England.The non-metropolitan district of Lincoln has a population of 85,595; the 2001 census gave the entire area of Lincoln a population of 120,779....
, 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...
. It was known as Skelly by the RAF personnel serving there.
Location and beginnings
An RAF Bomber CommandRAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...
Station
RAF station
A Royal Air Force station is a permanent Royal Air Force operations location. Many RAF stations are aerodromes, or airbases, being the home to one or more flying squadrons. Other RAF stations are training units, administrative units, headquarters , or carry out ground-based operational tasks...
, RAF Skellingthorpe opened in 1941 on a field previously known as Black Moor, approximately 2 miles south-east of the village of Skellingthorpe
Skellingthorpe
Skellingthorpe is a large village in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, located 4 miles / 6.5 km southwest of Lincoln city centre.It is near the A46 near the roundabout with the B1378 Skellingthorpe Road. This is near to the Birchwood estate, which is built on the site of RAF...
. Today that site is the area known as Birchwood. The local public house, The Black Swan, was named after the R/T call sign of the airfield.
The airfield consisted of the standard pattern of three runways, with one Type B1 and two Type T2 hangars. Nissen hut
Nissen hut
A Nissen hut is a prefabricated steel structure made from a half-cylindrical skin of corrugated steel, a variant of which was used extensively during World War II.-Description:...
s were used for accommodation.
World War II
No. 50 Squadron RAFNo. 50 Squadron RAF
No. 50 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was formed during the First World War as a home defence fighter squadron, and operated as a bomber squadron during the Second World War and the Cold War. It disbanded for the last time in 1984....
was the first squadron based at Skellingthorpe, with the first detachment of personnel arriving shortly before the runways were complete. 50 Squadron were equipped with Hampdens
Handley Page Hampden
The Handley Page HP.52 Hampden was a British twin-engine medium bomber of the Royal Air Force serving in the Second World War. With the Whitley and Wellington, the Hampden bore the brunt of the early bombing war over Europe, taking part in the first night raid on Berlin and the first 1,000-plane...
. They were followed by No. 455 Squadron RAAF
No. 455 Squadron RAAF
No. 455 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force torpedo bomber squadron during World War II and became famous as part of the so-called ANZAC Strike Wing.-History:No. 455 Squadron was formed at Williamtown, New South Wales on 23 May 1941...
(also flying Hampdens), however the squadron moved to RAF Wigsley shortly afterwards. 50 Squadron's aircraft were replaced with Avro Manchester
Avro Manchester
|-See also:-References:NotesCitationsBibliography* Buttler, Tony. British Secret Projects: Fighters and Bombers 1935–1950. Hickley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2004. ISBN 978-1857801798....
aircraft in April 1942.
In June 1942 Skellingthorpe was closed for runway extensions in order to cope with the new Avro Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
aircraft that 50 Squadron had converted to.
In November 1943, a second bomber squadron operating Avro Lancasters arrived at Skellingthorpe. No. 61 Squadron RAF remained at the station until February 1944, when moved to RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby , is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England. It has been commanded by Group Captain Martin Sampson since 10 December 2010.-Operational units:...
so that accommodation could be built on the Doddington Road side of the airfield at Skellingthorpe.
During the war, the tally of bombers lost or failed to return from Skellingthorpe reached 208: 15 Hampdens, six Manchesters and 187 Lancasters.
Postwar usage
After the end of World War II, RAF Skellingthorpe was home to No. 58 Maintenance Unit RAF and salvaged crashed aircraft were stored at the base. The Birchwood EstateBirchwood, Lincolnshire
Birchwood is a housing estate in the south of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.It is one of the largest housing estates in Europe. The estate is currently undergoing redevelopment following investment. The shopping centre located in the middle of the estate is currently being rebuilt. . It has a few...
was built on the airfield in the 1970s, and the A46
A46 road
The A46 is an A road in England. It starts east of Bath, Somerset and ends in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, but it does not form a continuous route. Large portions of the old road have been lost, bypassed, or replaced by motorway development...
Lincoln Bypass was built on it in 1986.
RAF Skellingthorpe Heritage Room
An exhibition of photographs showing the history of RAF Skellingthorpe and the Squadrons based there has been set up as part of the North Kesteven Airfield Trail. This Heritage Room is based in the Community Centre in SkellingthorpeSkellingthorpe
Skellingthorpe is a large village in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, located 4 miles / 6.5 km southwest of Lincoln city centre.It is near the A46 near the roundabout with the B1378 Skellingthorpe Road. This is near to the Birchwood estate, which is built on the site of RAF...
and is open daily to the general public.
50 and 61 Squadron Museum
To commemorate No. 50 Squadron RAFNo. 50 Squadron RAF
No. 50 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was formed during the First World War as a home defence fighter squadron, and operated as a bomber squadron during the Second World War and the Cold War. It disbanded for the last time in 1984....
and No. 61 Squadron RAF, a small museum has been set up in the Birchwood Community Centre in Lincoln
Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Lincoln is a cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England.The non-metropolitan district of Lincoln has a population of 85,595; the 2001 census gave the entire area of Lincoln a population of 120,779....
. Included in the museum is memorabilia from the aircraft used by the squadrons, photographs and records. The 50 Squadron and 61 Squadron Books of Remembrance are also held there. Entrance is free and open to the general public daily.
External links
- RAF Bomber Command
- Wartime memories
- Map showing location of base and runways
- 50 and 61 Sqn Museum and RAF Skellingthorpe Exhibition / Heritage Room - official site
- Information about the Lincoln Birchwood Community & Leisure Centre
- Information about the Heritage Room in the Skellingthorpe Community Centre
- Skellingthorpe Community Centre