Raf sculthorpe is a military training facility for the united kingdoms ministry of defence, about 3 mi 4. Raf sculthorpe map north norfolk, england mapcarta. Airport information including flight arrivals, flight departures, instrument approach procedures, weather, location, runways, diagrams, sectional charts, navaids, radio communication frequencies, fbo and fuel prices, hotels, car rentals, sunrise and sunset times, aerial photos, terminal maps, and destination travel guides. Raf airfields in norfolk during the second world war. The more observant might well wonder why many runways in this book listed as being 45 metres wide in modern flight. Jim baldwin publishing solutions of fakenham, raf sculthorpe and norfolk, uk specialises in books about the local history of fakenham, raf sculthorpe and. Fakenhambased historian jim baldwins raf sculthorpe 50 years of watching and waiting, explores the role the airfield played in both the second world war and the cold war. Please check this post link for the history of this important part of norfolks relationship with. Uk specialises in books about the local history of fakenham, raf sculthorpe. See all maps map of sculthorpe airfield in 1898 map of sculthorpe airfield in 19011902. Set in the north norfolk countryside, sculthorpe was the hub of offensive.
The airfield was built in 1942, and was used by the free french air force during world war two, as well as the royal new zealand and australian air forces, and the united states army air force. While the base became inactive 23 years ago, it is still used by the us air force s 352nd special operations group. Work began in 1942 and the first aircraft arrived in 1943, flown by free. Set in the north norfolk countryside, sculthorpe was the hub of offensive operations until its closure in 1944 for upgra. I read some books about the base and realised how important it was in the 1950s and. All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the creative commons cc0 license. In his book britain on the brink author jim wilson tells us that over the weekend of the 27th and 28th october 1962 the world was poised on the edge of world war three. The airfield is retained for military training use and is known as the sculthorpe training area. It wont take up a day but is worth visiting for anyone with an interest in the raf or the local area history. The usaf had been brought to defcon two, the state of readiness before actually going to war. From spy flights to atomic incidents to natural disasters and heroes. Sculthorpe east barsham fakenham north creake houghton st giles old maps of sculthorpe airfield historic maps of sculthorpe airfield and the local area.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The airfield site is still owned my the ministry of defence and administered by stanta, it is used for training regularly and often has aircraft landing. Sculthorpe is a village and civil parish in the english county of norfolk. Sculthorpe airfield, north norfolk area information, map. Air base designs on cups, calendars, tshirts, stickers, caps and more. I later learnt that sculthorpe was intended to be a base for the convair b. It opened in 1943, first occupied briefly by the raf which included a free french squadron until 1944 when it was closed for some rebuilding, and then.
Excellent book which fills a gap in the history of surveillance activities of this era. Sculthorpe, three miles west of fakenham, was built as a bomber base for the raf, in the second world war. Since 1990, he has been a professional indexer of books and journals in history mainly. Sculthorpe airfields of britain conservation trust uk. This page was last edited on 15 february 2019, at 09. After the war, the airfield became one of the biggest american airfields in. Raf sculthorpe began life as a satellite aerodrome carved out of the north norfolk countryside. Raf sculthorpe is a military training facility for the united kingdoms ministry of defence, about 3 mi west of fakenham in norfolk, england. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Jim baldwin publishing solutions local history of fakenham, raf. There is a place of worship for baptists sculthorpe st mary and all saints is an ancient parish in. The airfield has been home to many visiting airmen and support crews of the raf and united states air force.
Gunn is a lecturer in history at further education college. Raf sculthorpe was the usafs only atomic bomber base in east anglia. Air force use and was the biggest operational airfield in the u. Raf sculthorpe is a military training facility for the united kingdoms ministry of defence, about. It was closed, became europes largest atom bomber base, closed again and then became a standby airfield which everyone seemed to want to use. A norfolk airfield in the cold war first edition by gunn, peter b. This was an organised visit in support of raf sculthorpe the forgotten cold war base. James mcgeever was there from 8385 in the fire department with some great people. By 1951, it was formally handed over to us control and became a. The class 6 was part of the usaf supply system and it was certain items that were controlled. The story of an airfield that began life as a satellite aerodrome and became. Today was a proud day we welcomed home the silver pheasant.
A guide to the history of british flying sites within the united kingdom home. Sculthorpe, norfolk genealogy genealogy familysearch wiki. We really do have some lovely places, hotels and restaurants listed in this guide and you most definitely do not need to fly in with a helicopter or light aircraft. Both raf and usaaf b17fortresses can be seen parked around the site. We are proud to be able to share its rich history on this page or at our heritage centre at the former base. Read sculthorpe secrecy and stealth norfolk airfield in the cold war by peter b. A photograph of raf sculthorpe, probably taken in april 1944. Raf sculthorpe was built as the second satellite airfield of raf west raynham a few miles to the south, the first being raf great massingham.
Very well put together exhibition of the raf history of the site. Work was begun in the spring of 1942 and the airfield was laid out as a standard raf heavy bomber airfield with concrete runways, dispersals site, mess facilities and accommodation. Raf sculthorpe was built for the royal air force for use in world war 2. Raf sculthorpe is a military training facility for the united kingdoms ministry of defence, situated. The raf were similarly poised as were the soviet forces. An area within the runway triangle and by the watchtower appear to have been painted over on the negative. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Raf sculthorpe was a typical bomber station with the a runway layout, with three runways 0624 at 2,000 yards and 1,400 yards for the two subsidiaries, 0018 and 31. Sculthorpe airfield, north norfolk local area information, map, walks and more. New chapter in history of raf sculthorpe latest norfolk. A sincere thank you diane for giving all the many former personnel who were a part of sculthorpes varied history the opportunity to revisit their past even this brief glimpse brings back cherished memories buried for years. Raf sculthorpe history fakenham norfolk airfield bomber.
Control tower for vhb stations at raf sculthorpe, norfolk. We have many pictures, books, items, uniforms all connected to sculthorpe. Raf sculthorpe airport egup located in fakeham, england, united kingdom. Raf sculthorpe nestling in the norfolk countryside, it was once americas biggest atomic bomb base, the airfield played in both the second world war and the cold war. Your base may be closed, but your memento is available. Southwest end of 3,000 yards long 0624 main runway at sculthorpe, 15 july 2006.
A vital part was played by the royal air force and their other support establishments during the second world war, especially those fighter and bomber bases located throughout norfolk. Set in the north norfolk countryside, sculthorpe was the hub of offensive operations until its closure in 1944 for upgrading as a base for heavy bombers, its runway. Raf sculthorpe is situated 1200 feet southwest of raf sculthorpe. The centre relives the 50 year history of raf sculthorpe.
Raf sculthorpe sculthorpe, norfolk airport facebook. History military nonfiction set in the north norfolk countryside, sculthorpe was the hub of offensive operations until its closure in 1944 for upgrading as a base for heavy bombers, its runway ideal for us strategic air command bombers like the b29. Raf sculthorpe control tower august 2016 a special delivery for hitler. I was assigned to the 47th upply squadron personnel section. Set in the north norfolk countryside, sculthorpe was the hub of offensive operations until its closure in 1944 for upgrading as a base for heavy bombers, its runway ideal for us strategic air command bombers like the b29. This page was last edited on 27 august 2019, at 12. Raf sculthorpe jim baldwin publishing solutions local history of. Raf sculthorpe heritage centre 2020 all you need to know. Sculthorpe all saints, a parish, in the union of walsingham, hundred of gallow, w. Using previously untapped local and us sources and a photographic archive from a local enthusiast, this book tells the story of the base during the early years of the cold war. Raf sculthorpe 50 years of watching and waiting, by jim baldwin.
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