RAF Bibury
RAF Bibury | |
---|---|
Located Near Bibury, Gloucestershire, England | |
RAF Bibury | |
Coordinates | 51°46′53″N 01°50′10″W / 51.78139°N 1.83611°WCoordinates: 51°46′53″N 01°50′10″W / 51.78139°N 1.83611°W |
Type | Royal Air Force station |
Site information | |
Owner | Air Ministry |
Controlled by | Royal Air Force |
Condition | Closed |
Site history | |
Built | 1939 |
In use | 1940–1945 |
Battles/wars | Second World War |
Garrison information | |
Occupants |
RAF Training Command RAF Fighter Command |
RAF Bibury is a former Royal Air Force station located north east of Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England.
History
The airfield was built in 1939 for use as a relief landing ground for training aircraft from nearby RAF South Cerney. In the Battle of Britain the airfield was used to base detachments of fighter aircraft.[1] Hawker Hurricanes of 87 Squadron arrived on detachment in August 1940. They were replaced by a detachment from 92 Squadron with the Supermarine Spitfire until September when the 87 Squadron detachment returned until the end of the year.[1] During the Battle of Britain the airfield had very few buildings and a grass runway.[1] The airfield was not used for flying after 1944 and was the base of a maintenance unit until it closed in 1945.
RAF units
Unit | Dates | Aircraft | Variant | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
No. 87 Squadron RAF | 1940 | Hawker Hurricane | I | Detached from RAF Exeter.[2] |
See also
References
Citations
- 1 2 3 "Gloucestershire's part in the Battle of Britain". BBC. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
- ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 51.
Bibliography
- Jefford MBE, Wg Cdr C G (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.