RAF Wyton
Encyclopedia
RAF Wyton is a Royal Air Force
station near St. Ives, Cambridgeshire
, England
.
In terms of organisation RAF Wyton is now part of the combined station RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow
, a merger of Wyton with two previously separate bases, RAF Brampton
and RAF Henlow
. Wyton is the largest of the three. It is home to Equipment Support (Air) and Corporate Technical Services. The airfield is used for flying training by 57(R) Squadron EFT, the University Air Squadron
s of London and Cambridge and No 5 Air Experience Flight
.
Wyton has been a military airfield since 1916, when it was used for training by the Royal Flying Corps
. In 1935 it was upgraded to contemporary standards. During World War II
it was used primarily as a bomber base, flying Bristol Blenheim
, de Havilland Mosquito
and Avro Lancaster
aircraft. In 1942 it became the home of the Pathfinder Force under the command of Group Captain
Don Bennett
.
After the war Wyton became home to the Strategic Reconnaissance Force, adding English Electric Canberra
to the aircraft flown. Vickers Valiant
s, modified for reconnaissance, moved there in 1955 and a Handley Page Victor
in 1959. Provision was made to store nuclear weapons if necessary.
The Victor belonged to a separate Radar Reconnaissance Flight (initially of one aircraft - rising to three by the time RRF was disbanded in 1962) to supplement the work of the Valiants of 543 Sqn
. The Canberras of 58 Sqn
were a mix of PR7 and PR 9s.
Also based at RAF Wyton were the T17 and T17A Canberras of 360 Sqn
, the only joint RAF and RN
Squadron specialising in ECM
training. In the early 90's one of its pilots was Ft Lt Rory Underwood
. Other residents at RAF Wyton were 100 Sqn
with a mixture of Canberra types in the Targeting Role. Also resident but "never officially present" were the three Nimrod R1s belonging to 51 Sqn
used in the Elint and Sigint role.
RAF Wyton hosts the annual Pathfinder March
, a 46 miles (74 km) walk which starts and finishes at RAF Wyton.
During the middle 1990s, RAF Wyton hosted an RAF-sponsored Microlight club. Consisting of a small group of flex-wing microlight and 3 Axis aircraft, there was a thriving flight school with two instructors, Former Chief Inspector of BMAA David Marshall & Training Instructor Pilot Paul Foggoa. The school was based in the old crash building - the original purpose of which was to house the crash-rescue fire engines. The success of the club, and the inclusion of non-RAF members, led to the club expanding to the corner of one of the large hangars.
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...
station near St. Ives, Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
, 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...
.
In terms of organisation RAF Wyton is now part of the combined station RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow
RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow
RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow is an RAF unit covering 3 distinct sites in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. The three sites, separately known as RAF Brampton, RAF Wyton and RAF Henlow, house a number of flying training, intelligence, security and other RAF support organisations.-RAF Brampton:**Joint Air...
, a merger of Wyton with two previously separate bases, RAF Brampton
RAF Brampton
RAF Brampton is a Royal Air Force station near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Formerly the home of RAF Support Command, it now houses several elements of Defence Equipment & Support , which itself was a result of a merger between the Defence Logistics Organisation and the Defence Procurement Agency...
and RAF Henlow
RAF Henlow
RAF Henlow is a Royal Air Force station in Bedfordshire, England, equidistant from Bedford, Luton and Stevenage. It houses the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine, the RAF Signals Museum and 616 Volunteer Gliding Squadron.- History :...
. Wyton is the largest of the three. It is home to Equipment Support (Air) and Corporate Technical Services. The airfield is used for flying training by 57(R) Squadron EFT, the University Air Squadron
University Air Squadron
University 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...
s of London and Cambridge and No 5 Air Experience Flight
Air Experience Flight
An 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...
.
Wyton has been a military airfield since 1916, when it was used for training by the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
. In 1935 it was upgraded to contemporary standards. 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 used primarily as a bomber base, flying Bristol Blenheim
Bristol Blenheim
The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
, 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"...
and 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. In 1942 it became the home of the Pathfinder Force under the command of Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
Don Bennett
Don Bennett
Air Vice Marshal Donald Clifford Tyndall Bennett CB CBE DSO RAF was an Australian aviation pioneer and bomber pilot who rose to be the youngest Air Vice-Marshal in the Royal Air Force. He led the "Pathfinder Force" from 1942 to the end of the Second World War in 1945...
.
After the war Wyton became home to the Strategic Reconnaissance Force, adding English Electric Canberra
English Electric Canberra
The English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
to the aircraft flown. Vickers Valiant
Vickers Valiant
The Vickers-Armstrongs Valiant was a British four-jet bomber, once part of the Royal Air Force's V bomber nuclear force in the 1950s and 1960s...
s, modified for reconnaissance, moved there in 1955 and a Handley Page Victor
Handley Page Victor
The Handley Page Victor was a British jet bomber aircraft produced by the Handley Page Aircraft Company during the Cold War. It was the third and final of the V-bombers that provided Britain's nuclear deterrent. The other two V-bombers were the Avro Vulcan and the Vickers Valiant. Some aircraft...
in 1959. Provision was made to store nuclear weapons if necessary.
The Victor belonged to a separate Radar Reconnaissance Flight (initially of one aircraft - rising to three by the time RRF was disbanded in 1962) to supplement the work of the Valiants of 543 Sqn
No. 543 Squadron RAF
No. 543 Squadron RAF was a photographic reconnaissance squadron of the Royal Air Force, active in two periods between 1942 and 1974.-History:...
. The Canberras of 58 Sqn
No. 58 Squadron RAF
No. 58 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force.- History :No. 58 Squadron was first formed at Cramlington, Northumberland, on 8 June 1916 as a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps....
were a mix of PR7 and PR 9s.
Also based at RAF Wyton were the T17 and T17A Canberras of 360 Sqn
No. 360 Squadron RAF
No. 360 Squadron RAF was an electronic countermeasures squadron of the Royal Air Force.-History:The squadron was created from the merger of the personnel of 831 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm and 'B' Flight, No. 97 Squadron RAF at RAF Watton on 1 April 1966...
, the only joint RAF and RN
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
Squadron specialising in ECM
Electronic countermeasures
An electronic countermeasure is an electrical or electronic device designed to trick or deceive radar, sonar or other detection systems, like infrared or lasers. It may be used both offensively and defensively to deny targeting information to an enemy...
training. In the early 90's one of its pilots was Ft Lt Rory Underwood
Rory Underwood
Rory Underwood MBE is a former English rugby union footballer who played wing for, most notably, Leicester Tigers and Bedford. He represented England and the British Lions and is a former Royal Air Force pilot....
. Other residents at RAF Wyton were 100 Sqn
No. 100 Squadron RAF
No. 100 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, UK, and operates the Hawker-Siddeley Hawk.-World War I:No. 100 was established on 23 February 1917 at Hingham in Norfolk as the Royal Flying Corps' first squadron formed specifically as a night bombing unit and...
with a mixture of Canberra types in the Targeting Role. Also resident but "never officially present" were the three Nimrod R1s belonging to 51 Sqn
No. 51 Squadron RAF
No. 51 Squadron of the Royal Air Force most recently operated the Nimrod R1 from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire until June 2011. Crews from No. 51 Squadron are currently training alongside the US Air Force on the Boeing RC-135, which is planned to enter service with the RAF over the next seven years...
used in the Elint and Sigint role.
RAF Wyton hosts the annual Pathfinder March
Pathfinder March
The Pathfinder March is an annual 46-mile long-distance walk around the County of Cambridgeshire, England. The March, which typically draws between three- and five hundred participants, is held to perpetuate the memory of the famous Royal Air Force Pathfinder Force from the Second World War.The...
, a 46 miles (74 km) walk which starts and finishes at RAF Wyton.
During the middle 1990s, RAF Wyton hosted an RAF-sponsored Microlight club. Consisting of a small group of flex-wing microlight and 3 Axis aircraft, there was a thriving flight school with two instructors, Former Chief Inspector of BMAA David Marshall & Training Instructor Pilot Paul Foggoa. The school was based in the old crash building - the original purpose of which was to house the crash-rescue fire engines. The success of the club, and the inclusion of non-RAF members, led to the club expanding to the corner of one of the large hangars.
Operational units
-
- 57(R) SquadronNo. 57 Squadron RAF-History:57 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed on 8 June 1916 at Copmanthorpe, Yorkshire. In December 1916 the squadron was posted to France equipped with the FE2d. The squadron re-equipped with Airco DH4s in May 1917 and commenced long range bombing and reconnaissance operations near...
- Cambridge University 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...
- London University 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...
- 5 Air Experience FlightAir 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...
- Defence Equipment & SupportDefence Equipment & SupportDefence Equipment and Support is the name of the merged procurement and support organisation within the UK Ministry of Defence. It came into being on 2 April 2007, bringing together the MoD's Defence Procurement Agency and the Defence Logistics Organisation under the leadership of General Sir...
- RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow HQ Wing
- 57(R) Squadron