Kirton-in-Lindsey

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Kirton in Lindsey airfield looking west, the technical site with three C-Type hangars is on the right, 27 July 1948. Photograph taken by No. 540 Squadron, sortie number RAF/540/63. English Heritage (RAF Photography). eh-642.jpg RAF_540_63_V_5112 Aerial photograph of Kirton in Lindsey airfield looking west, the technical site with three C-Type hangars is on the right, 27 July 1948. Photograph taken by No. 540 Squadron, sortie number RAF/540/63. English Heritage (RAF Photography). Historic England

IWM, English Heritage Collection

Object Number - RAF_540_63_V_5112 - Aerial photograph of Kirton in Lindsey airfield looking west, the technical site with three C-Type hangars is on the right, 27 July 1948. Photograph...

Used as an RFC and RAF Home Defence landing ground during the First World War, Kirton-in-Lindsey was built during 1938-40 as an RAF fighter station. It had two grass runways, 10 hardstandings, three grouped C hangars and four over-blister hangars. Occupied by the RAF from May 1940 to June 1942, the station became briefly an Eighth Air Force fighter base during June to August 1942 when, as a satellite to RAF Goxhill, it was home to the 94th Squadron of the 1st Fighter Group, equipped with P-38s. It then became briefly a fighter training base and was home to the 91st Squadron of the 81st Fighter Group, equipped with P-39s, during October to December 1942 before that Group went to North Africa to join the 12th Air Force. Handed back to the RAF in April 1943, the stationed remained operational as home to a variety of training units until 1965, when it was transferred to the British Army. As Rapier Barracks, it was occupied by the Royal Artillery from 1966 to 2004, when it was returned to the RAF. It was then the home of No. 1 Air Control Centre, parented by RAF Scampton, until the Centre moved to RAF Scampton during 2011-12. The decision was made by MOD in 2013 to dispose of the airfield and technical site, although the domestic site remains in use as a satellite to RAF Scampton.

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885187
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 356th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885190
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot-1055
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 81619
  • Highest Rank: Pilot Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: J/2928
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Chesley Peterson, of the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, with his P-47 Thunderbolt, 30 March 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '30-3-43.' Printed caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Sport & General, US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau and US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-9983A
  • Highest Rank: Major General
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot/Group Commander

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Eighth Then And Now (London, 1978)

Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Ninth Then and Now (London, 1994)

Roger Freeman, Mighty Eighth War Manual (London, 2001)

Bruce Barrymore Halpenny, Action Stations 2: Military Airfields of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands (Cambridge, 1984)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Kirton_in_Lindsey

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/81st_Fighter-Bomber_Group

Kirton-in-Lindsey: Gallery (108 items)