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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
Opened: 4 Nov 1940 (grass airfield); closed Sep 1942 - Aug 1943, reopened as hard runways; closed 2003 for resurfacing
Hard runways laid: Sep 1942 - Aug 1943
Runway extension: 1954 - 1956
Care and Maintenance: 1964
Closed: still an active RAF station
Squadrons based here:
106 Sqn :: Feb 1941 -
97 Sqn :: Apr 1941-
97 Conversion Flight :: 1 Jan 1942
(formed) - 1 Aug 1942
106 Conversion Flight :: 5 May 1942
(formed) - 1 Oct 1942
merged into 1660
HCU on 7 Oct 1942
617 Sqn :: Aug 1943 - Jan 1944
619 Sqn ::
61 Sqn :: 1 Feb 1944 - 15 Apr 1944
9 Sqn :: 1962 - Nov 1964
12 Sqn :: 1962 - Nov 1964
35 Sqn :: 1962 - Nov 1964
3 Sqn :: Aug 1968 ::
228 OCU :: Aug 1968
83 Sqn ::
19 Sqn :: ?? 1968 -
111 Sqn :: 1 Oct 1974 - 3 Nov 1975
5 Sqn :: Feb 1988 - 2003
Construction started in 1937 at RAF Coningsby and the base opened on 4 Nov 1940 as a 5 Gp bomber airfield. Aircraft operated from here over the years have included Lancaster (1943-45), Lincoln (1945-46), Mosquito (1946-50), Washington (1950-53), Canberra (1953-61), Vulcan (1962-64), Phantom FGR Mk2 (Aug 1968 - ) Tornado F2 (1984-) F3 (88-?) and Typhoon (2004 - present)
The first sorties, by 106 Sqn, were flown in Mar 1941. 97 Sqn arrived in Apr 1941.
Aircraft from Coningsby flew in the 1000 Bomber Raid in May 1942. Shortly thereafter between Sep 1942 and Aug 1943 RAF Coningsby was effectively closed while hard runways were laid. 617 Dambusters Sqn moved in for a short period before departing just up the road to RAF Woodhall Spa. Thereafter the 5 Gp Marker Force was established in early 1944 and operated from Coningsby and its satellites at Woodhall Spa and Metheringham. This Force led 5 Gp to its night bombing successes of the last 15 months of the war.
For a short period after the war the resident squadrons operated Lincoln before these were replaced the following year by Mosquito until Mar 1950. Thereafter the Station was inactive for six months whilst the resident sqns re-equipped from Mosquito to Washington. These remained until 1953. From later 1954 until 1956 it was closed for major expansion, including runway extension. The Canberra departed in 1961 and Coningsby became home to 3 squadrons of the Vulcan bomber force (9 Sqn, 12 Sqn and 35 Sqn) until 1964. It was then selected as the future base for the TSR2 which was cancelled by the government. By the end of the year it was placed under care and maintenance.
In 1966 RAF Coningsby re-roled from bomber to fighter base as it was selected as the home base for the new Phanton fighter and subsequently transfered to Fighter Command. The Phantom FGR2 arrived in Aug 1968. The next step change came in Nov 1984 with the arrival of the first Tornado F2 aircraft. 229 OCU reformed to support the aircraft and feeding 29 Sqn with F3s from 1987 and 5 Sqn in 1988.
RAF Coningsby has been home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) since Mar 1976 :: website. The visitor centre is open to the public Mon - Fri between 10:00 and 17:00 but is closed on Bank Holidays. BBMF have one of the two flying Lancaster bombers, 5 Spitfire, 2 Hurricane and a Dakota. The aircraft all regularly display. One of the Spitfire is the oldest flying model in the world, dating from 1940. Lincolnshire's Lancaster Association continues in its unique position as the official public support group for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Photos of RAF Coningsby aircraft
Coningsby page on UK MILITARY SPOTTING
Blackwells Bookshop
Motor Books (Aviation)
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