View Full Version : 2nd World War (Military) airfields in Gloucestershire
Can anyone give me some names of airfields to the East of Cheltenham, especially ones that may have only small bits of evidence that they existed. If so, names in posts would be greatly appreciated.
papajuliet
26th Sep 2009, 11:15
Take a look at The Airfield Information Exchange site - it has everything [and more] that you want.
Farfrompuken
26th Sep 2009, 11:56
Here's those to the East:
Stoke Orchard, chedworth, Moreton-in-Marsh, Little Rissington, Barnsley Park, Bibury, Northleach, Windrush, Southrop, Down Ampney, Fairford, South Cerney
Others are:
Aston Down, Babdown Farm, Long Newnton, Brockworth, Staverton, Down FArm, Moreton Valence, Overley and Kemble. Yate and Filton were in Glous before changes to the boundary.
Chedworth a lovely place to visit.
You beat me to it, farfrompuken! I live in Northleach and actually tried to make out the old airfield from the air last week, there aren't many clues left though. :ok:
8-15fromOdium
26th Sep 2009, 17:58
Gloucester Airfields of the Second World War (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gloucestershire-Airfields-Second-World-War/dp/1853069493/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253987581&sr=8-1) is available on Amazon for around £12. I have just got the Oxfordshire version which is very good.
Also having recently done a bit of research I would also recommend the Air Historical Branch (http://www.raf.mod.uk/ahb/)and the National Archive (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/default.htm?source=ddmenu_research0_e), both of which were very helpful.
Spurlash2
26th Sep 2009, 18:35
Britains's Military Airfields 1939-1945, David J Smith. ISBN 1-85260-038-1. Published in 1989.
Part of the 'Action Stations' series of 18 books. It covers the lot, from the first military airfield in Britain, at Larkhill, Salisbury Plain, in 1911, through to a nice phot of the armoury at Leighterton, in Gloucestershire, dating from the First World War. (Just for you, gnd)
Airfield construction, ALG's, Flying boat bases, gunnery ranges, simulator buildings, airfield lighting systems. I'll stop there, as someone will take the mick...
Airfield Memorials around the UK are also covered.
Fantastic, thank a lot, that will keep me going.
SirToppamHat
26th Sep 2009, 21:43
And don't forget the Google Earth RAF Stations - it's not perfect, but it's very good for seeing what's left:
RAF Stations in Great Britain - Google Earth Community (http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=783638&page=1)
It's the second post that has the correct .kmz link you need. Personally I find it fascinating, but can't say exactly how up to date it is.
Enjoy!
STH
HighTow
28th Sep 2009, 18:44
You beat me to it, farfrompuken! I live in Northleach and actually tried to make out the old airfield from the air last week, there aren't many clues left though. As an ex-Northleach resident myself I've researched the airfield there a lot on and off over the past 15 years. Amazing the history of the airfield and the unit that served there. True, there isn't a lot there but I've been lucky enough to find photos of it during and post war and there are some good traces to find if you know where to look and look hard enough. :)