Swinderby
SWINDERBY: Military aerodrome later civil private airfield (?)
Note: All four of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Military users: WW2: RAF Bomber Command 5 Group & later 7 Group
50 Sqdn (Handley Page Hampdens)
300 & 301 (Polish) Sqdns (Vickers Wellingtons)
1660 HCU (Short Stirlings later Avro Manchesters)
5 Group Comms Flight
A GRAHAM INNES GALLERY
Graham very kindly provided these pictures, taken in the 1990s, in July 2020. If you would like to see more of his pictures, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/user/DrapersView
Post 1945:
RAF Bomber Command
50 Sqdn (Avro Lincolns)
201 AFS [Advanced Flying School] (Vickers Wellingtons)
230 OCU [Operational Conversion Unit] (Avro Lincolns)
Note: This picture from a postcard was kindly sent by Mike Charlton who has an amazing collection. See, www.aviationpostcard.co.uk
This picture looks to me like a 'passing out' parade, and, as Chipmunks are featured in the formation fly-past, could this be in the 1980s? Probably from the EFTS based here? If anybody can kindly offer advice this will be most welcome.
1980s: EFTS [Elementary Flying Training School] (DHC.1 Chipmunks)
Gliding: 1970s only?
Location: SE & alongside the A46, W of Thurlby village, 8nm SW of Lincoln
Period of operation: 1940 to ? (still operational in 1985)
Runways: WW2: 06/24 1829x46 hard 02/20 1280x46 hard
11/29 1280x46 hard
NOTES: Without picking on SWINDERBY in particular a considerable proportion of RAF aircrew died in all stages of training including training details when operational. What might not be generally appreciated today is that when the major bombing offensive of Germany especially began, and to some extent for some time after, aircraft from HCU’s (Heavy Conversion Units), usually if not always with instructors in the crew compliment, made up the numbers.
To put it another way, when the British PR machine was extolling the ability of the RAF to mount ‘1000 bomber raids’ amongst these fleets of squadrons were aircrew members still in training. To date I have not come across a single account of any trainee aircrew member thinking this was unjust or even unfair. If anything quite the opposite with opinions ranging from quiet acceptance to a chance to perform their duty and relishing a chance to ‘have a bash at the Bosch.”
PRIVATE FLYING?
I am pretty certain I have come across an account of limited private flying taking place here, presumaby after the RAF closed the airfield. Can anybody confirm this, and if so, are any details known?
GEOFFREY MILNER
This comment was written on: 2021-03-06 19:02:42My late father F/Lt John Edward Milner was refresher training on Wellington T-10 A/c as a Pilot in 1950/51 at 201 AFS.He was landing this Wellington on Jan 1 1951,s/n unknown but marked with code letter K on nose .He landed and master pilot took over and went and crashed it.My dad said never trust your Instructor.Does anyone know the serial number?
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