View Full Version : Mystery Airfield in Norfolk
Jan Olieslagers
30th Apr 2018, 19:35
OpenstreetMap shows a remarkably long runway in the village of Watton in Norfolk, at North 52.5619 East 0.8633; but does not associate an aerodrome with it. More info, anyone? Still active? Accessible?
treadigraph
30th Apr 2018, 19:44
It's the old RAF Watton (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Watton), now closed. Was last used by the Air Training Corps up until 2012.
Jan Olieslagers
30th Apr 2018, 19:51
That's a quick answer, thanks!
chevvron
30th Apr 2018, 23:31
Watton - UK Airfield Guide (http://www.ukairfieldguide.net/airfields/Watton)
'Military' flying continued at Watton until 2012 with No 611 Gliding Squadron when it was 'paused' due to the discovery of problems in the recording of maintenance of the gliders in use; records either had not been completed or had been destroyed so every glider was 'suspect'.
611 VGS was officially disbanded in 2016 together with many more of the Air Cadet Gliding Schools.
From 1963 until 1988, a large Military/civil area radar unit operated from a site on the airfield.
Called 'Eastern Radar' and manned by both NATS and RAF controllers (some sources mention USAF controllers too) it provided services to military and civil aircraft flying above flight level 245 over a large part of the North Sea and Eastern England.
jolihokistix
1st May 2018, 00:56
Quote: 'Military' flying continued at Watton until 2012 with No 611 Gliding Squadron when it was 'paused' due to the discovery of problems in the recording of maintenance of the gliders in use; records either had not been completed or had been destroyed so every glider was 'suspect'.
Hmmm.... sounds Watton to the core.
chevvron
1st May 2018, 01:12
Quote: 'Military' flying continued at Watton until 2012 with No 611 Gliding Squadron when it was 'paused' due to the discovery of problems in the recording of maintenance of the gliders in use; records either had not been completed or had been destroyed so every glider was 'suspect'.
Hmmm.... sounds Watton to the core.
The problem with maintenance records was not confined to Watton, it extended to the whole glider fleet at various schools across the UK and affected both winch launched and powered gliders.
See Military section thread entitled 'Air Cadets Grounded' for further details.
treadigraph
1st May 2018, 05:01
sounds Watton to the core
I got it... :)
There was an ex Israeli AF Mustang under restoration there for a while 30-odd years ago; it's now a static exhibit at the Museum of Flight, Seattle.