Acklington

**PNK** · 14-12-2008, 14:36

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

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** · 14-12-2008, 22:27

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** · 02-03-2009, 20:14

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?

**Enobarbus** · 02-08-2009, 14:42

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** · 03-11-2009, 23:49

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** · 30-03-2010, 00:32

A few details here about the airfield ;

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

**Son of Acklington** · 18-05-2010, 13:49

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** · 06-06-2011, 21:44

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-e...1634-28658223/

**REF** · 17-06-2011, 16:15

Originally Posted by 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-e...1634-28658223/

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

**REF** · 09-12-2012, 17:44

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