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  RAF Caistor

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> RAF Bases

Interactive map
Full list of locations on site

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 Kirkby
Elsham Wolds
Faldingworth
Fiskerton
Folkingham
Freiston
Fulbeck
Gosberton
Goxhill
Grantham
Great Limber
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
Metheringham
Moorby
Morton Hall
New Holland
Nocton Hall
North Coates
North Killingholme
North Witham
Norton Disney
Orby
Rauceby
Saltby
Sandtoft
Scampton
Scopwick
Sibsey
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: 17 Jan 05

Opened: Sep 1940 as relief airfield for RAF Kirton in Lindsey, by 1942 for Kirmington, then Cranwell

Closed: 1945 (Flying ceased 1944)

Opened: 1959 (missile base)

Closed: 1963

Squadrons based here:

264 Sqn ::

15 (P) Advanced Flying Unit :: 1942

53 OTU :: 17 May 1943 -

269 (SM) Sqn :: Jul 1959 - May 1963

RAF Caistor's location, in the Lincolnshire Wolds, meant that it was unsuitable for much except a day only training role under the control of the RAFC Cranwell. In 1942 it was used by 15 (P) AFU from RAF Kirmington. It had grass runways only.

British attempts to corrupt the German Luftwaffe KNICKEBEIN radio signal, which directed bomber formations to their target, were assisted by an 'ASPIRIN' transmitter set up at Holton le Moor, near Caistor.

Between 1959 and 1963 Caistor was a Thor missile base for 3 Thor IRBM launchers of 269 (SM) Sqn with 3 Thor IRBM launchers. Each missile was armed with a one-megaton nuclear warhead, controlled by the US Air Force under so-called dual-key arrangements. RAF Hemswell was the headquarters for the 5 Lincolnshire dispersal sites at RAF Hemswell, RAF Bardney, RAF Caistor, RAF Coleby Grange and RAF Ludford Magna.

 



location of RAF Caistor in relation to Lincolnshire - click here for full-size map showing all station locations

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RAF Caistor memories on the Wartime Memories Project