RAF Bibury
Royal Air Force Bibury or more simply RAF Bibury is a former Royal Air Force satellite airfield located north east of Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England.
RAF Bibury | |
|---|---|
| Located Near Bibury, Gloucestershire, in England | |
.jpg) Part of RAF Bibury in 2015 | |
  RAF Bibury | |
| Coordinates | 51°46′53″N 01°50′10″W |
| Type | Royal Air Force station |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Air Ministry |
| Operator | Royal Air Force |
| Controlled by | RAF Flying Training Command RAF Fighter Command |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1939 |
| In use | 1940–1945 |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
History
The airfield was built in 1939 for use as a relief landing ground for training aircraft from nearby RAF South Cerney. In the Battle of Britain the airfield was used to base detachments of fighter aircraft.[1] Hawker Hurricanes of 87 Squadron arrived on detachment in August 1940. They were replaced by a detachment from 92 Squadron with the Supermarine Spitfire until September when the 87 Squadron detachment returned until the end of the year.[1] During the Battle of Britain the airfield had very few buildings and a grass runway.[1] The airfield was not used for flying after 1944 and was the base of a maintenance unit until it closed in 1945.
The following units were here at some point:[2]
- No. 3 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit RAF
- No. 3 Service Flying Training School RAF
- No. 7 Maintenance Unit RAF
- No. 1539 (Beam Approach Training) Flight RAF
References
Citations
- "Gloucestershire's part in the Battle of Britain". BBC. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
- "Bibury". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- Jefford 1988, p. 51.
Bibliography
- Jefford, C G (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.