RAF Kings Cliffe

[Mr C Hinecap]

Does anyone have any knowledge of RAF Kings Cliffe? Just South of Wittering, it was UK & USAAF during WWII and not handed back to the owners until 1959 - used for storage I believe. Now farmland with odd bits of buildings and revetments left - and a very nice, unusual memorial.

I am in touch with the 20th Fighter Historical Group, but most of their research has been around the USAAF. The Historical Branch have also been of some assistance, as has the interweb with a couple of sites. I'm after more information, specifically non-USAAF ops and post-war. Any assistance would be appreciated. I know some of you are that old! :8

[splitbrain]

P38s used to fly from there didn't they?

I only remember it because there was a garage in the village run by two elderly geezers where you could get your car (ahem) MOT'd.

[forget]

Is this of any use to you? Michael Gibson's work of art, 'Aviation in Northamptonshire'. ISBN. 0-905391--08-X :ok::ok:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/cumpas/kings.jpg

[forget]

.......... and the runways today. See http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/6940/kingscliffe.html

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/cumpas/kings2.jpg

[Roland Pulfrew]

Try and see if you can get a copy of the Actions Stations book that covers that region. They are a pretty good source of information. I will check and see which volume you need when I get home at then end of the week.

[peppermint_jam]

"I only remember it because there was a garage in the village run by two elderly geezers where you could get your car (ahem) MOT'd."

Would that be Bolds garage at the bottom of the hill, just past the Cross keys???

The two old chaps you speak of were very close friends of my Grandfather who used to run the Dairy in the village. Grew up in Kings Cliff, sadly though, it was a good few years after the flying ceased. I'll ask my Family if they have any memories of the RAF Station.

Sadly, the best person to ask would have been my Grandfather, unfortunately he is no longer walking gods good earth.

[Mark Nine]

Get yourself a copy of 'Airfield Focus, number 66: King's Cliffe', for the most comprehensive history of the airfield available. Written by John N. Smith and available from [email protected] for £4.95 :ok:

[Condorite]

I was at RAF Upper Heyford (home of the 20FW) and we had some Historical photos on the Ops room wall. I'll see if I can dig them out, scan and post them here - one has a P-38 with a Tiger Moth and a Lancaster in the background..watch this space!

[Exrigger]

Not old enough, but from Google if it is of any help:

http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/airfields/kingscliffe.html

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

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/6940/kingscliffe.html

And I know it is cheating but these may help you find sources of more info.

regards

Exrigger

[Mr C Hinecap]

Roland - I can get hands on a copy of Action Stations so thanks for that. Other books are slowly coming to light through the stn library too.
I found this chaps work in my trawls - some former Lincs-servers might be interested:
Action Stations (http://actionstations.fotopic.net/)
and this one was what got me proper interested:
Fields of Valour (http://www.fieldsofvalour.co.uk/index.htm)
You might find them interesting too.

Exrigger - I got a tour of the site only yesterday from the author of that geocities site - very interesting.

I also see that Kings Cliffe was a POW processing camp at the end of the war - more interesting stuff outside the remit of the guys who looked at the American aspects there.

[Arclite01]

also in 'Airfields of the Eighth' by after the battle I believe...........

Arc

[30mRad]

Sorry if I repeat links from earlier in this thread, but a simple Google search comes up with pages of stuff. Link is below:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=kings+cliffe+airfield&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Interesting pics of buildings now and stories of what the US and ourselves did there.

Hope it helps

Regards

[splitbrain]

Would that be Bolds garage at the bottom of the hill, just past the Cross keys???

The two old chaps you speak of were very close friends of my Grandfather who used to run the Dairy in the village. Grew up in Kings Cliff, sadly though, it was a good few years after the flying ceased. I'll ask my Family if they have any memories of the RAF Station.

I know we are off topic here but yes, thats the one. I remember a chap with a pronounced limp and his wife who used to run the place, and their 'apprentice' who they took on in the 1950s. Or so the woman told me while I was awaiting my car one time.
The garage was an Aladdin's cave of delapidated motors of yesteryear, like a whole bunch of restoration projects that never really got off the ground.
And Kings Cliffe was/is a lovely quiet village too.