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RAF Driffield

RAF Driffield
RAF Eastburn
Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg
Driffield-king600new.jpg
Summary
Airport type Military
Owner Ministry of Defence
Operator Royal Air Force
Location Driffield
Built 1918 as RAF Eastburn
1935 as RAF Driffield
In use 1918–1920 Royal Air Force
1936–1977 Royal Air Force
Elevation AMSL 82 ft / 25 m
Coordinates 53°59′41″N 000°29′11″W / 53.99472°N 0.48639°W / 53.99472; -0.48639Coordinates: 53°59′41″N 000°29′11″W / 53.99472°N 0.48639°W / 53.99472; -0.48639
Map
RAF Driffield is located in East Riding of Yorkshire
RAF Driffield
RAF Driffield
Location in East Riding of Yorkshire
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
00/00 0 0 Concrete
00/00 0 0 Concrete
00/00 0 0 Concrete

Royal Air Force Station Driffield or RAF Driffield is a former Royal Air Force station located 1.7 miles (2.7 km) south west of Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire and 10.7 miles (17.2 km) north west of Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.

The site was first opened in 1918 by the Royal Air Force (RAF) under the name of RAF Eastburn, before closing in early 1920. However, in 1935 a new airfield was built for the RAF initially training bomber crews before closing in 1977 when the site was turned over to the British Army for use as a driving school being renamed Alamein Barracks.

The first aerodrome to occupy the site was made up of wooden and brick buildings, similar to those found at Duxford or Hendon. Known as Eastburn, No.21 Training Depot was the first unit to occupy the site from 15 July 1918, joined later by Nos. 202 and 217 Squadrons from March 1919. However, by early 1920, these units had disbanded, leaving a deserted airfield, which was removed some years later.

During the early 1930s, Driffield was selected for one of the RAF's expansion scheme aerodromes, with construction work beginning in 1935. This new airfield consisted of five large aircraft hangars, curved round the grass runways that stretched towards the north-west. Placed neatly behind these hangars were the many buildings that made up the camp. Opened on 30 July 1936, RAF Driffield became home to a number of bomber squadrons. By 1938, these had been replaced by No.77 and No.102 Squadrons, and were eventually equipped with the twin-engined Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber.

Crews of both No.77 and No.102 Squadrons endured a series of training courses and exercises, so that on the outbreak of war, Driffield was ready for action.


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