Acklington

[PNK]

Acklington 1976

The long hot summer of '76 didn't seem to affect Northumberland.
The main airfield site at Acklington was an open cast mine, very big and very deep. The photo below was taken using a telephoto lens, hence the poor quality.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/PNK_album/Airfields/JHangarAcklington.jpg

I think the shot was acroos the mine from the north east. There was a surface shelter behind which contained charts and weather reports (telex). I assume this was to do with the ASR flight that was based there a few years before.
The local pub was being refurbished and there were marks on the wall where squadron crest were once hung. I wonder if they were ever put back.

Peter

[Stevo]

HI

Great picture.

Is it a Gaydon hanger? Looks like it might be.

Like the one at RAF Machrihanish http://www.dreamlandresort.com/black_pr ... _trip.html (http://www.dreamlandresort.com/black_projects/machrihanish_trip.html)

Dont think they where built at many RAF bases, RAF Wittering, RAF Coningsby, RAF Valley, RAF Macrihanish, RAF Gaydon and now it seems Aklington?

Anyone know anyother places the Gaydon was built

Was Aklington a large base?

Stevo ;)

[Stevo]

Its still there eh, now part of the prison.

http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=55.29559 ... =6&src=ggl (http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=55.295596&lon=-1.636144&z=18.6&r=6&src=ggl)

Stevo ;)

[PNK]

Stevo,

It does look like a Gaydon type but I can't see why they would build one at Acklington. I think it was mainly a fighter base extended during wartime and further extended post-war for jet fighters. I don't know if Acklington was set aside as a V bomber standby base.

Looking at the Falsh Earth aerial I find it hard to believe there used to be an open cast mine in the middle of the aifield. They have done a good job returning it to agriculture.

Peter

[Stevo]

HI

Yeah thats what I thought, but it does look like one. In the book cold war it has a map of all the V force main and dispersal airfields and Acklington isnt one of them.

Stevo ;)

[PNK]

I think it is probably a 'J' type with extra doors for tall tails which, I assume, the Gaydon was a modernised version of.
The link below includes pictures of both 'J' and 'K' hangars adapted this way.

http://www.defence-estates.mod.uk/publi ... _02-02.pdf (http://www.defence-estates.mod.uk/publications/technical_bulletins/2002/tb_02-02.pdf)

Most of my reference books are in the loft whilst we are decorating (for the last two years!) otherwise I could confirm this.

Peter

[Stevo]

Hi

I dont think so, the Gaydon has 7 doors and the J/K has 6 doors, from the pic it seems to have 7. I just measured a Gaydon at RAF Valley on google earth and it's 323feet same as Coningsby. This hanger at Acklington is longer by 10feet. Both the same width 163feet

The J/K is 300x150feet

Strange!!!

;)

[PNK]

Why bother with the loft when a search of my own hard drive serves just as well.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/PNK_album/Airfields/Image00004Acklington.jpg
Sorry about the size but I think you can just make out the words.
I'd forgotten I ordered this. It seems to suggest 'F' x 2!
Problem with these documents is they are not always correct and it may be the original ones were replaced post-war. Not conclusive but another piece.

Peter

PS I am not sure about posting this pic due to copyright issues.

[Stevo]

HI

The F hanger is here http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=55.29784 ... =0&src=ggl (http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=55.297844&lon=-1.633435&z=18.8&r=0&src=ggl) and the other was about here http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=55.29469 ... =0&src=ggl (http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=55.294695&lon=-1.638071&z=18.8&r=0&src=ggl) which you can see on this website http://sine.ncl.ac.uk/view_image.asp?digital_doc_id=540 if you press zoom then zoom in.

I cant make out the other words on your pic, but the next one down looks like a single hanger. Also the Gaydon wasnt built until the 50's and the above pic looks like 1944.

;)

[olympusman]

PNK

Are all the WWII airfields taken in that book... ?

[David Thompson]

Originally there were 2 x Type F , 1 x Bellman and 16 x Blister and the other is a J or K . There is a photograph of it in the book 'RAF Acklington' , Elizabeth Stewart , Amble Social History Group , 2002 , no ISBN number , and there is a cut out for high tailed aircraft , the doors have windows at the tops and there appears to be an annexe on one side . The book also has a poor quality airfield plan which shows both Type F's but not the J/K .
From the Google earth photo I would say that the other Type F was were the sports field is now to the right of the surviving hangar and the surviving type F is noted as the
66 Squadron hangar and the Bellman 275 Squadron .I wonder if the J/K was built when the station became an APC ?

[norwichpaul]

The framework of J/K and Gaydon is entirely different, inside they are chalk and cheese but granted outside they look similar.

[Stevo]

Hi

I'm sticking to my guns that it's a Gaydon Hangar :lol: , the J/K didnt have 7 doors the Gaydon was 15' wider than the J/K hence the extra door, and it seems to big in plan to be a J/K Hangar

These are the sizes of some hangars I've measured using google earth

J Hangar at Middleton St George 300'x150'
K Hangar at former Burtonwood 300'x150'
J Hangar at Oakington, 300'x150'

Gaydon at Macrihanish, 328'x165'
Gaydon at Valley, approx 328'x165'
Gaydon at Coningsby, approx 328'x165'
Gaydon at Wittering, approx 248'x165'
Gaydon at Gaydon, approx 248'165'

The hangar at Acklington 330'x165'

I know which one I go for, 7 doors and more or less the same size as 3 of the Gaydon type hangars built in the 50's.

Stevo ;)

[norwichpaul]

olympusman, in answer to your question, most are, that example in the TNA is 1944, but the RAF Museum has the 1944 as well as the 1942 version. Now this is interesting because if you compare pics of airfields in both books they are often different as obviously the 1942 version may have an aerial view of an airfield (or plan) taken in that year which may differ from the 1944 version. They are therefore a snapshot in time. Runways under construction in the earlier one and runways completed in 1944 or grass airfield in 1942 and runways in 1944 etc. If your interest in airfield development then these books at the RAFM is a must.

[PNK]

norwichpaul,

Thanks for the info on the books. The 1942 edition would certainly be of interest as airfield layouts and development is something that is not covered in detail. It is very rare to find an airfield history showing airfields as they were a different points in the war and indeed post-war or pre-war.

Peter

[PETERTHEEATER]

Thanks Paul. Immediately after I posted I realised that is what it meant.

My question should have been, what is the title of the book 1942/1944 listing airfields?

Peter H

[norwichpaul]

Now your asking, I dont know but the books are a comprhensive list of RAF Airfields with aerodrome runway specs, hangars, establishment etc. The staff in DORIS know these books well so they are easy to find.

[Stevo]

HI,

Just going back to the Is it or isnt is a Gaydon hangar at Acklington, I just found this in the minutes of a meeting from 1986 about Acklington Prison.


I share the hon. Gentleman's concern about the current lack of employment opportunities at Acklington. It is also the case that the Gaydon hangar is not yet fully in use

Taken from http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/comm ... on-prisons (http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1986/feb/17/acklington-and-castington-prisons)

Wonder when it was built and what for?

There's a few reader pages of the book 'The military Airfields of northern England' on amazon here http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/18612 ... eader-page (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/1861268092/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-page) and a history of Acklington nowhere does it mention a Gaydon being built, very strange,

Is there no record of this Hangar?

:wink:

[northeagle]

Hi,
The hangar at Acklington has always been refered to as the Gaydon Hangar. There are references to it on the net, in books and even in the local press...owners HMP also refer to it as the Gaydon.
The Ken Delve book, certainly in its reference to Acklington, is very inaccurate and seems mainly to have been culled from other books.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

[PNK]

The concensus appears to be a Gaydon. So the question remains as to why was it built at Acklington?

I assume the Gaydon is designed for V bombers and large transports.
Was the intention to upgrade it to V Bomber status? Or was it simply one going spare?

Peter

[PNK]

Found another two prints of Acklington from 1976

The first is an air raid shelter which contained a lot of old paperwork, mainly met stuff with printed forecasts and telex prints.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/PNK_album/Airfields/Acklington/AcklingtonJUN1976_04.jpg

The second looks to be a short T2 hangar. Now is this the one that PJH listed as being moved here in 1951? Was it for the ASR flight? Also where was it located as I don't recall where it was though I would guess the northern side.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/PNK_album/Airfields/Acklington/AcklingtonJUN1976_05.jpg

[northeagle]

Hi Peter,
Your second pic was used by the ASR. Not sure when it was built though, there was one there in the late 50s but I think it was later replaced by the one in the pic. It was situated to the north of the main runway just off the west side of the public road which runs through the airfield. In short: on the north side.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

[PNK]

Robert - Thanks. I must make a note to annotate my pictures. Probably lose the note though! Do you happen to know where the ASR flight "lived"? I can't believe it was the air raid shelter which the paperwork inside implies!

Peter

[northeagle]

Hi Peter,
There was a collection of huts, 2 or 3 near that hangar. As far as I can remember that was all that was there. it was segregated from the rest, in fact they were about the only buildings north of the runway. When I used to pass it, late 50s, the Whirlwind and a couple of cars were all that could be seen usually. They were still flying the Whirlwinds in 65 as they delivered our post, announcing their arrival with a low level fast (for them) run past the kitchen window.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

[norwichpaul]

Its a short Callender Hamilton

[PNK]

northeagle - I have quickly draw the northern area of Acklington from a 1969 map. There are three large buildings or groups of buildings ( I have numbered them) do you know which one was the Callender Hamilton? I suspect No.1 as I don't recall 2 and 3 being there as that is the way we enterted the site. Building 2 looks an odd shape but the scale of the map makes it difficult to determine.
I assume the open cast mine extended to the hangar at some point.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/PNK_album/Maps/ACKCallHam.jpg

[northeagle]

Hi Peter,
In your pic, is that mine workings in the back? Have a look here
http://sine.ncl.ac.uk/view_image.asp?digital_doc_id=540
Not the greatest of pics, an aerial shot from the north side but it shows your No 1 as being a hangar. I can remember those other buildings as being there probably a type of crew room? The opencast came right up to about there.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

[PNK]

Robert,

Yep that's the mine. Some rubble had been piled up but I think it was the airfield rubble. The rest must have been carted away for storage. I wonder where because it's all back now?
The SINE photo is fantastic, once I realised you could zoom in. Not only does it show the Callender Hamillton but the of 'F' hangar as well . Another mystery solved. Thanks for your help.

Peter

[PJH]

Somehow missed this thread previously. Ref my article in Airfield Review 117 (plug plug) Acklington ended the war with 2 Type F and 1 Bellman in a line in front of the tech site. There were also numerous Blister hangars dotted around the perimeter track.

A 'new' T2 was added in 1951/2 to the South-West of the existing hangars, in the same line. Later, in about 1958, the Bellman was demolished and replaced by the Gaydon hangar which is still extant, although within the prison walls. I'm as puzzled as everyone else as to why one was built at Acklington - as you've all said they're normally associated with V Bomber bases. My pet theory is as follows.

Acklington became a front-line station again in January 1957 with Nos.29 and 66 Sqns in residence. My guess is that they felt that the hangarage at the time was not to a high enough standard for this role and therefore a new 'proper' hangar was required. The latest suitable and available design was the Gaydon, hence one being built at Acklington.

Despite trawling through National Archive records I haven't been able to validate this theory. The ASR hangar was added later (1960s?). Initially the ASR helicopters used one of the Type F hangars.

Peter

[PNK]

PJH - Thanks for confirming the Gaydon hangar. Your theory makes sense. Raises another point as to what would the RAF use for a new build hangar today (not that they are likely to require one). I exclude hardened shelters from this. Modern jets look wrong with T2 types but look perfect with C types - discuss :lol:

[PNK]

Having mentioned the open cast mine a few times I have at last found my picture of part of it.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/PNK_album/Airfields/Acklington/Acklington_Mine_1976.jpg

To give some idea of scale the little vehicle is a very large truck. The crane is a couple of storeys high without the jib.

[WJT]

PNK: They are building a new hangar at Coningsby for Typhoon maintenance. It has a curved roof and takes takes the general form of the adjacent Type Js and Gaydon.

[PNK]

The 'F' hangar at Acklington fron 1976. I assume this hangar was from its APC days. Is there a plan or aerial of Acklington as it was in 1940?

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/PNK_album/Airfields/Somewhere_JUN1976.jpg

[Enobarbus]

The large hangar at Acklington is a Gaydon hangar, of that there is no doubt.

The Gaydon hangar was not a V bomber hangar, it was just a design that was utilised in the mid fifties when the majority of the large airfield expansion projects that required new hangarage were the rebuilt V-bomber airfields.
Where other hangarage was required at the time, the design was also utilised.

It is called a Gaydon hangar because the first two examples were erected at RAF Gaydon.

An earlier poster, PJH, is spot on with the requirement for additional hangarage at Acklington. When it resumed life as a front line fighter base there was a need for additional hangar space, hence the Gaydon being erected. They also exist at Valley and Macrihanish, 2 other stations that were never envisaged as V bomber stations.

[David Thompson]

A memorial is to be built here in a project led by the local RAFA organisation . Donations payable to Newcastle RAFA , and any enquiries , may be sent to the
RAF Acklington Memorial Appeal Treasurer , 7 Caernarvon Close , Newcastle Upon Tyne . NE5 4TB . Sorry , no more details at present .

[David Thompson]

A few details here about the airfield ;

http://www.acklingtonparish.org.uk/recenthistory.htm

[Son of Acklington]

Gaydon Hanger was completed early 60s I believe the intention was that Acklington was to be a servicing field for V Bomber fleet.

[David Thompson]

A new memorial commemorating 29 allied aircrew who were killed flying from Acklington was dedicated at
St John The Devine Church , Red Row near East Chevington just to the east of the old airfield site in May , see here ; http://www.acklingtonparish.org.uk/ .

Also click on the 'Recent History' box for more details of RAF Acklington .

Link to The Journal story ; http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/05/09/acklington-memorial-a-tribute-to-victims-of-war-61634-28658223/

[REF]

A new memorial commemorating 29 allied aircrew who were killed flying from Acklington was dedicated at
St John The Devine Church , Red Row near East Chevington just to the east of the old airfield site in May , see here ; http://www.acklingtonparish.org.uk/ .

Also click on the 'Recent History' box for more details of RAF Acklington .

Link to The Journal story ; http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/05/09/acklington-memorial-a-tribute-to-victims-of-war-61634-28658223/

More details on the Church website;
http://www.stjohnchevingtononline.co.uk/

[REF]

RAF Acklington Timeline

RAF ACKLINGTON

Acklington. Northumberland. 81/NU230010. 3 mile NE of Felton on B6345

Airfield opened: 1938
Closed: 1972
Elevation: 120ft.
Pundit Code: AL
Main Contractor for construction: various


RAF Acklington - Timeline

Built on the site of the former WW1 landing ground called Southfields used by 77 Sqn.

01.12.37 No7 Armament Training Camp (ATC) formed in 25 Group (Seal)

01.04.38 No7 ATC redesignated No2 ATS

15.11.38 No2 Air Observation School (AOS) formed from No7 ATS (Overstrand, Seals)

03.09.39 No2 AOS moved on to Warmwell to become No10 AOS

01.10.39 152 Sqn reformed at Acklington. (Gladiator 11’s)

06.11.39 152 Sqn become operational

06.10.39 609 Sqn moved in from Catterick. (Spitfire 1’s)

09.10.39 607 Sqn moved in from Usworth (Gladiator 1 &11)

17.10.39 609 Sqn moved out to Drem

27.10.39 111 Sqn moved in from Hornchurch (Hurricane 1)

14.11.39 607 Sqn moved out to Merville, France

18.11.39 43 Sqn moved in from Tangmere (Hurricane 1)

07.12.39 111 Sqn moved out to Drem

10.12.39 46 Sqn moved in from Digby (Hurricane 1)

01.40 152 Sqn conversion to Spitfire 1 aircraft

17.01.40 46 Sqn moved back to Digby

26.02.40 43 Sqn moved out to Wick

02.03.40 72 Sqn moved in from Church Fenton (Spitfire 1)

01.06.40 72 Sqn moved on to Gravesend

06.06.40 72 Sqn returned to field

12.07.40 152 Sqn moved out to Warmwell

13.07.40 79 Sqn moved in from Sealand (Hurricane 1)

28.08.40 32 Sqn moved in from Biggin Hill (Hurricane 1)

27.08.40 79 Sqn moved on to Biggin Hill

31.08.40 72 Sqn moved out to Biggin Hill

31.08.40 610 Sqn moved in from Biggin Hill (Spitfire 1)

15.12.40 32 Sqn moved on to Middle Wallop

19.12.40 72 Sqn returned to Acklington

19.12.40 610 Sqn moved on to Westhampnett

14.12.40 258 Sqn moved in from Drem (Hurricane 1)

21.01.41 315 Sqn formed at Acklington (Hurricane 1)

01.02.41 258 Sqn moved on to Jurby

22.02.41 317 Sqn formed as a Polish fighter Squadron at Acklington (Hurricane 1)

13.03.41 315 Sqn moved on to Speke

29.04.41 317 Sqn moved on to Ouston

01.05.41 141 Sqn detachment from Ayr moved in (Defiant 1)

09.05.41 74 Sqn moved in from Gravesend (Spitfire 11)

10.05.41 406 Sqn formed as the first RCAF night fighter squadron (Blenheim 1F)

06.41 410 Sqn detatchment from Ayr moved in (Defiant 1) (3rd RCAF night fighter squadron)

08.07.41 72 Sqn moved out Gravesend (Spitfire VB & VC)

08.41 No13 Group Target Towing (TT) Flight formed (Lysander)

08 41 410 Sqn detatchment changes from main base at Ayr to Drem

07.08.41 141 Sqn detatchment move back to Ayr

03.10.41 74 Sqn moved out to Llanbedr

08.12.41 No1490 Flight (Target Towing) formed from No13 Group TTF (Lysander , Henley)

15.12.41 No1460 Flt. Turbinlite Flight formed (Havoc, Boston)

29.01.42 141 Sqn moved in from Ayr

01.02.42 406 Sqn moved on to Ayr

05.42 No1490 Flight redesignated No1490 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight

23.05.42 167 Sqn moved in from Scorton (Spitfire VC)

06.42 410 Sqn detatchment ends

01.06.42 167 Sqn moved on to Castletown

23.06.42 141 Sqn move on to Tangmere

23.06.42 219 Sqn moved in from Tangmere (Beaufighter 1)

08.07.42 1 Sqn moved in from Tangmere (Typhoon 1B)

09.42 410 Sqn return to field for night fighter cover from Scorton (Beaufighter 11F)

02.09.42 539 Sqn formed from 1460 Flight

04.09.42 No1490 Flight moved out to Ouston

21.10.42 219 Sqn moved on to Scorton

21.01.43 539 Sqn disbanded

09.02.43 1 Sqn moved on to Biggin Hill

09.02.43 198 Sqn moved in from Ouston (Typhoon 1a & 1b)

21.02.43 410 Sqn move on to Coleby Grange

23.02.43 409 Sqn RCAF move in from Coleby Grange (Beaufighter V1F)

16.03.43 No6 AAPC redesignated No1630 Flight

23.03.43 350 Sqn moved in from Fairlop (Spitfire VB)

24.03.43 198 Sqn moved on to Manston

01.06.43 No6 Anti Aircraft Practice Camp formed in 72 Group (Lysander)

08.06.43 350 Sqn moved on to Ouston

21.06.43 63 Sqn detachment from Dalcross (Mustang 1)

28.06.43 63 Sqn detachment moved on to Turnhouse

20.07.43 350 Sqn moved back from Ouston

25.08.43 349 Sqn moved in from Wellingore (Spitfire VB)

25.08.43 350 Sqn moved on to Digby

22.09.43 316 Sqn moved in from Northolt (Spitfire VB)

22.10.43 349 Sqn moved on to Friston

08.11.43 No 3 Aircraft Delivery Flight (ADF) moved in from Catterick

22.11.43 No 3 ADF disbanded

22.11.43 130 Sqn moved in from Scorton (Spitfire VB)

25.11.43 No 4 Aircraft Delivery Flight (ADF) moved in from Odiham

01.12.43 No1630 Flight absorbed into 289 Sqn

10.12.43 278 Sqn detachment moved in from Woolsington (Anson 1)

19.12.43 278 Sqn detachment moved onto Hutton Cranswick

19.12.43 25 Sqn moved in from Church Fenton (Mosquito V1)

19.12.43 409 Sqn moved away on detachment

04.01.44 130 Sqn move back to Scorton

05.02.44 25 Sqn moved on to Coltishall

05.02.44 409 Sqn moved back from detachment

15.02.44 316 Sqn moved on to Woodvale

16.02.44 No 147 Airfield Headquarters formed in 24 Wing, No12 Group (Auster 11)

16.02.44 No24 (Base) Defence Wing reformed here

23.02.44 56 Sqn moved in from Scorton (Typhoon 1B)

25.02.44 222 Sqn moved in from Catterick (Spitfire 1X)

03.44 504 Sqn detachment from Castletown (Spitfire VC)

01.03.44 409 Sqn moved on to West Malling

07.03.44 56 Sqn moved back to Scorton

08.03.44 164 Sqn moved in from Twinwood farm (Typhoon 1B)

08.03.44 No 4 ADF moved on to Clifton

10.03.44 222 Sqn moved on to Hornchurch

10.03.44 322 Sqn moved in from Hawkinge (Spitfire VB)

15.03.44 266 Sqn moved in from Harrowbeer (Typhoon 1B)

15.03.44 No24 Defence Wing moved to Blakelaw, Newcastle upon Tyne

16.03.44 164 Sqn moved on to Thorney Island

21.03.44 609 Sqn moved in from Tangmere (Typhoon 1a & 1b)

23.03.44 266 Sqn moved on to Tangmere

01.04.44 609 Sqn moved out toThorney Island

23.04.44 322 Sqn moved on to Hartford Bridge

11.05.44 No 147 Airfield Headquarters moved on to Zeals

29.05.44 No3 Tactical Exercise Unit. ‘C’ Sqn detached to field from Honiley

13.06.44 No3 TEU returned to Honiley

06.44 504 Sqn detachment moved back to Castletown

06 44 Airfield closed for reconstruction

20.11.44 239 Sqn disbanded

1945 North Eastern Sector Headquarters formed at Blakelaw, Newcastle. Flying from Field

02.45 Airfield reopened

26.02.45 59 O.T.U re-formed here using Typhoons

07.05.45 289 Sqn moved in from Turnhouse (Spitfire/Vengeance)

18.05.45 289 Sqn moved on to Eshott

23.05.45 19 Sqn moved in from Peterhead (Mustang)

06.06.45 59 O.T.U disbanded

12.07.45 140 Sqn moved in (no aircraft) ready for disbandment

13.08.45 19 Sqn moved on to Bradwell Bay

14.08.45 219 Sqn moved in from B.106 Twente (Mosquito 30)

19.08.45 140 Sqn moved onto Fersfield for disbanding

29.08.45 263 Sqn formed. Meteor F3 aircraft became the first jet squadron at Acklington

09.45 263 Sqn moved out to Church Fenton

24.01.46 130 Sqn moved in from Chaterhall (Spitfire 1X)

10.04.46 North Eastern Sector Headquarters disbanded

01.05.46 Armament Practice Station formed. (ex 2APS Spilsby) in 12 Group.

01.05.46 219 Sqn moved on to Wittering

23 07.46 130 Sqn moved on to Odiham

11.46 Fighter Armament Trials Unit formed out of 2 APC

05.11.46 56 Sqn moved in from Boxted (Meteor F3)

20.12.46 56 Sqn moved on to Wattisham

01.47 91 Sqn moved in from Debden (Meteor F4)

31.01.47 91 Sqn re-numbered 92 Sqn

15.02.47 92 Sqn moved on to Duxford

02.50 264 Sqn moved in from Church Fenton (Mosquito NF36)

09.50 264 Sqn moved back to Church Fenton

25.02.52 Armament Practice Station (APS) moved into 81 Group

07.56 Fighter Armament Trials Unit disbanded

27.07.56 APS disbanded

1957 202 Sqn (Various Flights) move in to cover search and Rescue roll (Whirlwind)

14.01.57 29 Sqn moved in from Tangmere (Meteor NF 11)

14.02.57 66 Sqn moved in from Linton-on-Ouse (Hunter F6)

22.07.58 29 Sqn moved on to Leuchars

30.10.60 66 Sqn disbanded

24.07.61 No6 Flying Training School (FTS) moved in to convert to Jet Provosts.

12.66 No6 FTS redesignated No6 (Advanced) FTS

05.01.68 18 Sqn moved in from Guterslosh (Wessex HC 2)

30.06.68 No6 (Advanced) FTS disbanded

04.08.69 18 Sqn moved on to Odiham

1972 202 Sqn ‘B’ Flight detatchment (Air Sea Rescue) leaves airfield. Last operational sorties.

1972 Airfield put under Care & Maintenance

1972 Airfield Closed. Site cleared and open cast mined. Technical site now part of Acklington YOI - incorporating the ‘C’ type hanger

[John Anderson]

My own memories of Ackilngton were during the early 60's of the Battle of Britain days (are any held these days?). Apart from the resident Jet Provosts, I recall a Beverley performing a short landing and discharging a large number of troops (or so it appeared) including a miltary band, a FAA Buccaneer S1 (I think it was just entering service) from Lossiemouth and a Mosquito TT35 from the CAACU at Exeter. Those were the days!