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RAF Binbrook

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#RAFLincolnshire

> RAF Bases

Interactive map
Full list of locations

Alma Park
Anwick
Bardney
Barkston Heath
Belton Park
Binbrook
Blankney Hall
Blyton
Boston Wyberton Fen
Bottesford
Bracebridge Heath
Braceby
Buckminster
Bucknall
Caistor
Cockthorne
Coleby Grange
Coningsby
Cranwell
Cuxwold
Digby
Donna Nook
Dunholme Lodge
East Halton
East Kirkby
Elsham Wolds
Faldingworth
Fiskerton
Folkingham
Freiston
Fulbeck
Gosberton
Goxhill
Grantham
Greenland Top
Grimsby
Grimsthorpe Park
Harlaxton
Hemswell
Hibaldstow
Holbeach
Humberston
Immingham
Ingham
Ingoldmels
Kelstern
Killingholme
Kirmington
Kirton in Lindsey
Langtoft
Leadenham
Lincoln West Common
Ludford Magna
Manby
Market Deeping
Market Stainton
Mere
Metheringham
Moorby
Morton Hall
New Holland
Nocton Hall
Normanby
North Coates
North Killingholme
North Witham
Norton Disney
Orby
Rauceby
Saltby
Sandtoft
Scampton
Skegness
Skellingthorpe
Skendleby
South Carlton
South Elkington
South Witham
Spilsby
Spitalgate
Stenigot
Strubby
Sturgate
Sutton Bridge
Swinderby
Swinstead
Theddlethorpe
Tydd St Mary
Waddington
Wainfleet
Waltham (Grimsby)
Wellingore
Wickenby
Wigsley
Winterton
Woodhall Spa

Updated: 1 Oct 13

Opened: 1940

Closed: Jun 1988

Acted as relief landing ground for RAF Scampton until 1995

Airfield code :: YC > BK

ICAO Code: MWXB > EGXB

Airfield call sign :: LEARY

Squadrons based here:

460 Sqn RAAF :: 14 May 1943 - Jul 1945

12 Sqn :: Jul 1940 - Jul 1943; Sep 1945 - Jul 1959

142 Sqn :: Jul 1940 - Dec 1942

1481(B) Gunnery Flt :: May 1943 - Feb 1944

9 Sqn :: Apr 1946 - Dec 1959

101 Sqn :: 1 Oct 1945 - Jan 1957

617 Sqn :: Feb 1947 - 1955

Target Towing Flight (Lysanders) ::

1 Gp Special Duties Flight ::

50 Sqn :: Aug 1952 - Jan 1956

109 Sqn :: Jan 1956 - Jan 1957

139 Sqn :: Jan 1956 - Dec 1959

64 Sqn :: Jun 1962 - Apr 1965

Central Fighter Establishment :: Oct 1962 - Jan 1968

85 Sqn :: May 1965 - Jan 1972

5 Sqn :: Oct 1965 - Dec 1987

Fighter Command Trials Unit :: Feb 1966 - Jun 1967

11 Sqn :: Mar 1972 - Jun 1988

Airfield code: EGXB

RAF Binbrook opened in early 1940, base to 142 Bomber Sqn, with 12 Sqn from Finningley in early July 1940. The station closed for 1942 to allow the construction of concrete runways. 12 Sqn moved to Wickenby and converted to Lancasters. 12 Sqn returned on 24 Sep 1945. On 14 May 1943 Binbrook reopened as the home for 460 Sqn RAAF. 460 Sqn was to suffer higher casualties than any other unit of the Australian Army, Navy or Air Force in World War Two. 617 Sqn moved in in 1947 and undertook a Goodwill Mission to the USA and Canada from July to September 1947, under the command of Group Captain Thomson.

RAF Binbrook was protected from aerial attack during the Second World War by night decoy Q sites at Kelstern, Ludborough and Wyham.

After WWII Binbrook hosted the Canberra, the RAF's first jet bomber and later transfered to Figher Command in 1960, hosting sqns flying the Gloucester Javelin and the the English Electric Lightning.

A detachment of 85 Sqn (B Flight) moved to Binbrook from RAF North Raynham when they transferred from Canberra to Bloodhound, but but every day left by coach for RAF North Coates.

RAF Binbrook was home to the Electric Lightning which celebrated its 50th anniversary in Jul/Aug 04. A squadron was on 24-hour QRA (Alert) at RAF Binbrook for many years in the all-British built fighter when the Lightning was the mainstay of British air defence from 1962 to 1988. The QRA sheds at Binbrook are extant and visible from the road. They are now marooned from the main runway which has been excavated and removed as hardcore along with most of the taxiways. The sheds are used to store the contractor's machinery and are deteriorating badly. The former 'Fightertown' is now a sorry sight. Two organisations preserve the Lightning and its association with RAF Binbrook: the Leicestershire-based Lightning Preservation Group and the Binbrook-based Lightning Association.

Immediately after closing in 1988 the movie 'Memphis Belle' was fimed at Binbrook :: more details here. Then the airfield became a relief landing ground for RAF Scampton.

460 Sqn RAAF is now commemorated in a memorial stone in Binbrook.

RAF Binbrook Signals Squadron Association

Details can be obtained by contacting the Secretary - T E Merriman, 55 Woodlands, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 6EJ

617 Sqn Binbrook Goodwill Mission to Canada and USA

Robert (Bob) Hornby of Lancashire has spent 7 years researching and writing the history of 617 Sqn's 1947 goodwill mission of which he was a member. Based on AIR27/2526/27 Documentation and oral history from surviving members he has produced a 125 page history which is lodged at 617 Squadron Air Crew Associations Historical Section, at the COMOX Air Force Museum, Lazo BC, and the Nanton Lancaster Museum in Nanton Alberta. Further details about the project and the book can be found on the 617 Sqn Goodwill Tour website :: click here.