RAF Waterbeach: Difference between revisions

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Coordinates: 52°16′28″N 000°11′24″E / 52.27444°N 0.19000°E / 52.27444; 0.19000
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{{Short description|Former Royal Air Force station in England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox airport
{{Infobox military installation
| name = RAF Waterbeach<BR>Waterbeach Barracks
| name = RAF Waterbeach
| nativename = [[File:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg|90px]][[File:Flag of the British Army.svg|90px]]
| ensign = Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg
| nativename-a =
| ensign_size = 90px
| nativename-r =
| native_name =
| partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
| image = RAF Waterbeach 1945.png
| image-width = 250px
| caption = 1945 aerial photograph
| IATA =
| ICAO =
| type = Military
| owner = [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]
| operator = [[Royal Air Force]]<BR>1940-1966<BR>[[Royal Engineers]]<BR>1966-2013
| city-served =
| location = [[Waterbeach]], [[Cambridgeshire]]
| location = [[Waterbeach]], [[Cambridgeshire]]
| country = England
| built = {{Start date|1940}}
| image = [[File:RAF Waterbeach 1945.png|250px]]
| used = 1941-{{End date|2013}}
| caption = 1945 aerial photograph
| elevation-f = {{Convert|10|m|disp=output number only|0}}
| image2 = <!--secondary image, major command emblems for airfields -->
| elevation-m = 10
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| type = [[List of former Royal Air Force stations|Royal Air Force station]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|52|16|28|N|000|11|24|E|region:GB_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|52|16|28|N|000|11|24|E|region:GB_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| gridref = TL495665{{sfn|Birtles|2012|p=52}}
| latd = 52 | latm = 16 | lats = 28 | latNS = N
| pushpin_map = Cambridgeshire#UK
| longd= 000 | longm= 11 | longs= 24 | longEW= E
| pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Cambridgeshire
| coordinates_type = airport
| pushpin_label = RAF Waterbeach
| coordinates_region = GB
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map = Cambridgeshire
| ownership = [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]
| pushpin_label = Waterbeach Barracks
| operator = [[Royal Air Force]]
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Cambridgeshire
| controlledby = [[RAF Bomber Command]] (1941-45)<br />* [[No. 3 Group RAF]]{{sfn|Delve|1994|p=77}}<br />[[RAF Transport Command]] (1945-50)<br />[[RAF Fighter Command]] (1950-)<br />* [[No. 11 Group RAF]]{{sfn|Delve|1994|p=85}}<br />[[RAF Training Command]]<br />* [[No. 38 Group RAF]]{{sfn|Delve|1994|p=89}}
| website =
| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
| r1-number = <s>04/22</s>
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| r1-length-f = <s>6070</s>
| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc -->
| r1-length-m = <s>1850</s>
| site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->
| r1-surface = <s>[[Asphalt]]</s>
| code = <!--facility/installation code -->
| r2-number = <s>10/28</s>
| built = {{Start date|1940}}
| r2-length-f = <s>4140</s>
| used = 11 January 1941 - {{End date|2013}}
| r2-length-m = <s>1262</s>
| builder =
| r2-surface = <s>Asphalt</s>
| fate =
| r3-number = <s>16/34</s>
| condition =
| r3-length-f = <s>4250</s>
| battles = [[European theatre of World War II]]<BR>[[Cold War]]
| r3-length-m = <s>1296</s>
| events =
| r3-surface = <s>Asphalt</s>
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| stat-year =
| garrison = <!-- such as the 25th Bombardment Group -->
| stat1-header =
| stat1-data =
| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->
| stat2-header =
| designations =
| stat2-data =
| website =
| footnotes =
| footnotes = <!-- catchall in case it's needed to preserve something in infobox -->
<!-- begin airfield information -->
| IATA =
| ICAO =
| LID =
| GPS =
| WMO =
| elevation = {{Convert|10|m|0}}
| r1-number = 04/22
| r1-length = {{Convert|1850|m|0}}
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| r2-number = 10/28
| r2-length = {{Convert|1262|m|0}}
| r2-surface = Asphalt
| r3-number = 16/34
| r3-length = {{Convert|1296|m|0}}
| r3-surface = Asphalt
| h1-number =
| h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
| h1-surface =
| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->
<!-- end airfield information -->
}}
}}
'''Royal Air Force Station Waterbeach''' or more simply '''RAF Waterbeach''' is a former [[Royal Air Force]] [[Royal Air Force station|station]] located in [[Waterbeach]], [[Cambridgeshire]] which is {{Convert|5.5|mi}} north of [[Cambridge]]. The site was then used by the [[Royal Engineers]], part of the [[British Army]], from 1966, as '''Waterbeach Barracks''' until 2013 when the site closed to make way for housing.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Barracks closes to make way for housing|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-21967882|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=29 March 2013}}</ref> The site is currently unoccupied, apart from the officers' houses still in use - though [[Urban&Civic]] are now looking at temporary uses.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Barracks and former Airfield|url=http://www.urbanandcivic.com/projects/strategic_land/index.php?id=173|publisher=Urban&Civic|accessdate=16 March 2015}}</ref>
'''Royal Air Force Waterbeach''' or more simply '''RAF Waterbeach''' is a former [[Royal Air Force]] [[List of former Royal Air Force stations|station]] located in [[Waterbeach]], [[Cambridgeshire]] which is about {{Convert|5.5|mi}} north of [[Cambridge]], England. The site was transferred to the [[Royal Engineers]], part of the [[British Army]], in 1966, as [[Waterbeach Barracks]].


==History==
==History==


===Royal Air Force===
===Royal Air Force===
The airfield was built in 1940 on the northern edge of Waterbeach village and operated under the control of [[RAF Bomber Command]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Hamlin and Merrington|2011}}</ref> The original control tower and many RAF buildings, including several hangars, are still present.<ref>Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum, displays and unpublished archives.</ref>
The airfield was built in 1940 on the northern edge of Waterbeach village and operated under the control of [[RAF Bomber Command]].{{sfn|Hamlin|Merrington|2011|p={{page needed|date=April 2021}}}} The original control tower and many RAF buildings, including several hangars, are still present.<ref>Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum, displays and unpublished archives.</ref>


====RAF units and aircraft - Bomber Command, WW2====
====RAF units and aircraft – Bomber Command, WW2====
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 71: Line 89:
|-
|-
|1941-1942
|1941-1942
|26 Conversion Flight RAF
|No. 26 Conversion Flight RAF
|[[Short Stirling]]
|[[Short Stirling]]
|I
|I
Line 77: Line 95:
|-
|-
|1942–1943
|1942–1943
|1651 Conversion Unit RAF
|[[No. 1651 Conversion Unit RAF]]
|[[Short Stirling]]
|[[Short Stirling]]
|I, III
|I, III
Line 89: Line 107:
|-
|-
|1943
|1943
|1665 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF
|[[No. 1665 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF]]
|[[Short Stirling]]
|[[Short Stirling]]
|I
|I
Line 95: Line 113:
|-
|-
|1943
|1943
|1678 Conversion Unit RAF
|[[No. 1678 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF]]
|[[Avro Lancaster]]
|[[Avro Lancaster]]
|II
|II
Line 104: Line 122:
|[[Avro Lancaster]]
|[[Avro Lancaster]]
|I, II and III
|I, II and III
| 437 aircrew were killed flying with 514 Squadron
|
|}
|}


====Transport Command, 1945-1949====
====Transport Command, 1945-1949====


After the [[Second World War]], [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]]s and [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas Dakota]]s from [[RAF Transport Command]] flew from RAF Waterbeach.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hamlin and Merrington|2011|p.31-35}}</ref>
After the [[World War II|Second World War]], [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator|Consolidated Liberator]]s and [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas Dakota]]s from [[RAF Transport Command]] flew from RAF Waterbeach.{{sfn|Hamlin|Merrington|2011|pp=31–35}}


====RAF units and aircraft - Transport Command====
====RAF units and aircraft – Transport Command====
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 122: Line 140:
|1945-1946
|1945-1946
|[[No. 59 Squadron RAF]]
|[[No. 59 Squadron RAF]]
|[[Consolidated Liberator]]
|Consolidated Liberator
|B, C and GR
|B, C and GR
|Carrying troops to and from India and the Far East
|Carrying troops to and from India and the Far East
Line 128: Line 146:
|1945-1946
|1945-1946
|[[No. 220 Squadron RAF]]
|[[No. 220 Squadron RAF]]
|[[Consolidated Liberator]]
|Consolidated Liberator
|C Mk V, VI and VIII
|C Mk V, VI and VIII
|
|
Line 146: Line 164:
|1947–1949
|1947–1949
|[[No. 77 Squadron RAF]]
|[[No. 77 Squadron RAF]]
|[[Douglas Dakota]]
|Douglas Dakota
|
|
|Participated in [[Operation Plainfare]], the Berlin Airlift
|Participated in [[Operation Plainfare]], the Berlin Airlift
Line 152: Line 170:
|1947–1949
|1947–1949
|[[No. 62 Squadron RAF]]
|[[No. 62 Squadron RAF]]
|[[Douglas Dakota]]
|Douglas Dakota
|
|
|Participated in [[Operation Plainfare]], the Berlin Airlift
|Participated in [[Operation Plainfare]], the Berlin Airlift
Line 158: Line 176:
|1947–1949
|1947–1949
|[[No. 53 Squadron RAF]]
|[[No. 53 Squadron RAF]]
|[[Douglas Dakota]]
|Douglas Dakota
|
|
|Participated in [[Operation Plainfare]], the Berlin Airlift
|Participated in [[Operation Plainfare]], the Berlin Airlift
Line 164: Line 182:
|1947-1950
|1947-1950
|[[No. 18 Squadron RAF]]
|[[No. 18 Squadron RAF]]
|[[Douglas Dakota]]
|Douglas Dakota
|
|
|Participated in [[Operation Plainfare]], the Berlin Airlift
|Participated in [[Operation Plainfare]], the Berlin Airlift
Line 170: Line 188:
|1949-1950
|1949-1950
|[[No. 24 Squadron RAF]]
|[[No. 24 Squadron RAF]]
|[[Avro Lancastrian]]<br>[[Douglas Dakota]]<br>[[Avro York]]
|[[Avro Lancastrian]]<br>Douglas Dakota<br>[[Avro York]]
|C2 <br>C Mk IV <br> C Mk I
|C2 <br>C Mk IV <br> C Mk I
|Participated in [[Operation Plainfare]] and then European scheduled services
|Participated in [[Operation Plainfare]] and then European scheduled services
Line 178: Line 196:
[[RAF Fighter Command]] took over the base on 1 March 1950 and used [[Gloster Meteor]]s, [[Supermarine Swift]]s, [[de Havilland Venom]]s, [[de Havilland Vampire]]s and [[Gloster Javelin]]s. In addition [[Hawker Hunter]] fighters arrived in May 1955 and, two years later, the prototype [[English Electric Lightning|English Electric P1 (Lightning)]] visited RAF Waterbeach.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}
[[RAF Fighter Command]] took over the base on 1 March 1950 and used [[Gloster Meteor]]s, [[Supermarine Swift]]s, [[de Havilland Venom]]s, [[de Havilland Vampire]]s and [[Gloster Javelin]]s. In addition [[Hawker Hunter]] fighters arrived in May 1955 and, two years later, the prototype [[English Electric Lightning|English Electric P1 (Lightning)]] visited RAF Waterbeach.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}


====RAF units and aircraft - Fighter Command====
====RAF units and aircraft – Fighter Command====
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 242: Line 260:
|}
|}


After the last RAF fixed-wing aircraft, from [[No. 54 Squadron RAF]], left in August 1963,{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=42}} the site was used by the [[Airfield Construction Branch RAF]] until 1966.<ref>Hamlin & Merrington 2011, p. 21-22.</ref>
After the last RAF fixed-wing aircraft, from [[No. 54 Squadron RAF]], left in August 1963,{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=42}} the site was used by the [[Airfield Construction Branch RAF]] until 1966.{{sfn|Hamlin|Merrington|2011|pp=21–22}}


===Royal Engineers===
===Royal Engineers===
in 1966 the station and airfield remained the property of the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]], but was transferred from the Royal Air Force to the [[Royal Engineers]], part of the [[British Army]].<ref>[http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/4858DA08-9275-4E62-992E-FB72CECC64EE/0/EastofEnglandCallforproposalsAppendix1v1DennyStFrancisFinal.pdf Planning Application CP88 - Denny St Francis (Waterbeach)], Cambridgeshire County Council, accessed 2011-07-20</ref> Until the closure of nearby RAF Oakington in the early 1970s, the main runway at Waterbeach remained active, along with the control tower, and was used as a relief landing ground for Varsities used in the advanced pilot training role. The barracks, airfield and surrounding quarters most recently housed 12 (Air Support) Engineer Group. The former airfield was used as a training area for troops, with occasional visits by helicopters and, in the past, by [[Harrier Jump Jet|Harriers]].<ref>Waterbeach Barracks, 12 (Air Support) Engineer Group</ref> 25 Engineer Regiment was disbanded on 19 April 2012. Two of its squadrons (34 Field Squadron and 53 Field Squadron) have become part of 39 Engineer Regiment and will move to RAF Kinloss.<ref>{{cite web|title=First tranche of Army unit moves confirmed|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/FirstTrancheOfArmyUnitMovesConfirmed.htm|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]|accessdate=10 November 2011}}</ref>
In 1966 the station and airfield remained the property of the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]], but was transferred from the Royal Air Force to the [[Royal Engineers]], part of the [[British Army]], as [[Waterbeach Barracks]].<ref>[http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/4858DA08-9275-4E62-992E-FB72CECC64EE/0/EastofEnglandCallforproposalsAppendix1v1DennyStFrancisFinal.pdf Planning Application CP88 – Denny St Francis (Waterbeach)], Cambridgeshire County Council, retrieved 2011-07-20</ref> Until the closure of nearby [[RAF Oakington]] in the early 1970s, the main runway at Waterbeach remained active, along with the control tower, and was used as a relief landing ground for Varsities used in the advanced pilot training role. The former airfield was used as a training area for troops, with occasional visits by helicopters and, in the past, by the [[Hawker Siddeley Harrier]].<ref>Waterbeach Barracks, 12 (Air Support) Engineer Group</ref>

In July 2011 the Ministry of Defence announced that Waterbeach Barracks will close, and the site sold for housing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Waterbeach military base to close|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Waterbeach-military-base-to-close-19072011.htm|accessdate=19 July 2011|newspaper=Cambridge News Online}}</ref> In November 2011 and March 2012 the Ministry of Defence announced that 39 Engineer Regiment would move to [[RAF Kinloss]] in July 2012. A total of 930 Service personnel will move to Kinloss, and 44 Service personnel to Wittering.<ref name="FToAU">{{cite web|title=First tranche of Army unit moves confirmed|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/FirstTrancheOfArmyUnitMovesConfirmed.htm|publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdate=10 November 2011}}</ref> HQ 12 (Air Support) Engineer Group will move from Waterbeach to [[RAF Wittering]] in October 2012, with the compete closure of Waterbeach Barracks by 1 April 2013.<ref name="FToAU"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Forward - March 2012|url=http://waterbeachforward.btck.co.uk/ClosureUpdates/March2012|publisher=Waterbeach Forward|accessdate=24 March 2012}}</ref> After that date, the vacated site is in the care of [[G4S]] on behalf of the [[Defence Infrastructure Organisation]] and Urban&Civic.

First units of 39 Engineer Regiment (Air Support) arrived at [[RAF Kinloss]] in June 2012, with the majority leaving Waterbeach during July.<ref>[http://local.stv.tv/forres/news/armed-forces/106793-moray-gets-ready-to-welcome-the-army-as-advance-party-settles-in/ Moray gets ready to welcome the Army as advance party settles in], 19 June 2012.</ref> Their move was complete by September 2012. On 26 July 2012 at 1200 the [[RAF Ensign]] was lowered at RAF Kinloss for the last time, to be replaced by the flag of 39 Engineer Regiment (Air Support), [[Royal Engineers]].<ref>[http://heavywhalley.wordpress.com/2012/07/07/the-end-the-beginning-raf-kinloss-mountain-rescue-team-26-july-2012/ RAF Kinloss Mountain Rescue Team], 7 July 2012.</ref>

The barracks closed on 28 March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Barracks closes to make way for housing|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-21967882|publisher=BBC|accessdate=29 March 2013}}</ref>

=== Future Development ===

The site was subject to an MoD disposal process by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, and in August 2014 Urban&Civic were appointed as Development Partners.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Barracks and former Airfield|url=http://www.urbanandcivic.com/projects/strategic_land/index.php?id=173|publisher=Urban&Civic|accessdate=16 March 2015}}</ref> In October 2015 they held Open Days for local residents to tour the site and meet the design team, as the first stage of their Consultation on the development of the MoD site and surrounding farmland, as new settlements.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Barracks and Airfield, Open Days 17 and 21 October|url=http://www.waterbeachbarracks.co.uk/open-days-17-and-21-october/|publisher=Urban&Civic|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref> Regular Newsletters for local residents are being issued.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Barracks and Airfield, Latest News from U&C|url=http://www.waterbeachbarracks.co.uk/latest-news-from-urban-civic/|publisher=Urban&Civic|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref> In December 2015 a community engagement report on the Open Days was published by David Lock Associates, for Urban&Civic, which includes the Open Day display boards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Barracks and Airfield, Open Day report published|url=http://www.waterbeachbarracks.co.uk/open-day-report-published/|publisher=Urban&Civic|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

During 2016 Design Workshops are being held bringing together the Urban&Civic and RLW Estates design teams, key local authority partners, the Parish Council, Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, and local residents.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Barracks and Airfield, Latest News from U&C|url=http://www.waterbeachbarracks.co.uk/latest-news-from-urban-civic/|publisher=Urban&Civic|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

==Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum==
In June 1984 a Station Museum was established by the Army to record and preserve items from RAF Waterbeach - in particular from [[514 Sqn|514 Squadron]] who hold their Reunions at the barracks every year - as well as artefacts from the Army (39 Engineer Regiment). As the Barracks closed in March 2013, the Museum closed to visitors on 30 September 2012.<ref>[http://www.olivermerrington.16mb.com/waterbeach/barracksmuseum2012.pdf Waterbeach Barracks Museum], March 2013.</ref>

In 2011 John Hamlin, an aviation historian, and the Museum Curator wrote a book documenting the history of RAF Waterbeach and Waterbeach Barracks, to raise money for the museum.<ref>{{cite book|title=At the 'Beach: the story of Royal Air Force Waterbeach and Waterbeach Barracks | author1=Hamlin, John F | author2=Merrington, Oliver J | publisher= GMS Enterprises, Peterborough | year=2011}}</ref> In 2014 it was updated to include closure and contact information <ref>[http://www.olivermerrington.16mb.com/waterbeach/orderform2016.pdf At the 'Beach], January 2016.</ref>

In December 2012, a group of villagers set up a trust, the Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum, and the Army gifted the collection to it. The Barracks Museum contents were stored outside the barracks. The honorary Curator from the barracks continued to answer enquiries and carry out research. He had an assurance from the most likely developers of the MOD-owned airfield and barracks (RLW Estates, and then Urban&Civic) that the inclusion of a Museum will form an important part of the site's heritage.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Barracks museum contents saved by villagers|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-20713326|accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Museum's collection is saved|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Museums-collection-is-saved-18122012.htm|accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref>

During 2015 the Museum started the move back into its building at the Barracks, and hopes to re-open there in early summer 2016. The building will also be used for community groups and workshops by Urban&Civic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum|url=https://sites.google.com/site/rafwaterbeachmuseum/|accessdate=16 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Waterbeach Barracks and Airfield, Facilities to be opened up for local use|url=http://www.waterbeachbarracks.co.uk/facilities-to-be-opened-up-for-local-use/|publisher=Urban&Civic|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==

===Citations===
===Citations===
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |last1=Birtles|first1=Philip|title=UK Airfields of the Cold War |year=2012 |publisher= Midland Publishing|isbn=978-1-85780-346-4}}
* Hamlin, John F. & Oliver J. Merrington (2011, updated 2014) At the 'Beach: the story of Royal Air Force Waterbeach and Waterbeach Barracks. Peterborough: GMS Enterprises (available from Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum) ISBN 1-904514-63-4
*{{cite book |last1=Jefford [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] |first1=[[Wing Commander (rank)|Wg Cdr]] C G |title= RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher= Airlife |location= [[Shrewsbury]] |isbn= 1-85310-053-6 |ref= {{harvid|Jefford|1988}} }}
*{{cite book |last1=Delve |first1=Ken |title= The Source Book of the RAF|year=1994 |publisher= Airlife Publishing|location= [[Shrewsbury]], UK |isbn= 1-85310-451-5 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Hamlin |first1=John&nbsp;F. |first2=Oliver&nbsp;J. |last2=Merrington |year=2011 |orig-year=updated 2014 |title=At the Beach: the story of Royal Air Force Waterbeach and Waterbeach Barracks |place=Peterborough |publisher=GMS Enterprises |isbn=978-1-904514-63-3}}{{vn|date=April 2021|reason=Only one match found for ISBN on Karlsruhe Virtual Catalog and that was not a complete citation. 2011 ISBN 978-1904514633}}
*{{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1=C.&nbsp;G. |title=RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher=Airlife |location=[[Shrewsbury]], UK |isbn= 1-85310-053-6}}


==External links==
==External links==
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{{Royal Air Force}}
{{Royal Air Force}}

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Waterbeach}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Waterbeach}}
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[[Category:Royal Air Force stations of World War II in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations of World War II in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Military aviation museums in England]]
[[Category:Military aviation museums in England]]
[[Category:Waterbeach|RAF]]

Latest revision as of 17:15, 7 February 2024

RAF Waterbeach
Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire in England
1945 aerial photograph
RAF Waterbeach is located in Cambridgeshire
RAF Waterbeach
RAF Waterbeach
Shown within Cambridgeshire
RAF Waterbeach is located in the United Kingdom
RAF Waterbeach
RAF Waterbeach
RAF Waterbeach (the United Kingdom)
Coordinates52°16′28″N 000°11′24″E / 52.27444°N 0.19000°E / 52.27444; 0.19000
Grid referenceTL495665[1]
TypeRoyal Air Force station
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byRAF Bomber Command (1941-45)
* No. 3 Group RAF[2]
RAF Transport Command (1945-50)
RAF Fighter Command (1950-)
* No. 11 Group RAF[3]
RAF Training Command
* No. 38 Group RAF[4]
Site history
Built1940 (1940)
In use11 January 1941 - 2013 (2013)
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
Cold War
Airfield information
Elevation10 metres (33 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
04/22 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) Asphalt
10/28 1,262 metres (4,140 ft) Asphalt
16/34 1,296 metres (4,252 ft) Asphalt

Royal Air Force Waterbeach or more simply RAF Waterbeach is a former Royal Air Force station located in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire which is about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) north of Cambridge, England. The site was transferred to the Royal Engineers, part of the British Army, in 1966, as Waterbeach Barracks.

History[edit]

Royal Air Force[edit]

The airfield was built in 1940 on the northern edge of Waterbeach village and operated under the control of RAF Bomber Command.[5] The original control tower and many RAF buildings, including several hangars, are still present.[6]

RAF units and aircraft – Bomber Command, WW2[edit]

Years Unit Aircraft Variant Notes
1941-1942 No. 99 Squadron RAF Vickers Wellington Ic, II
1941-1942 No. 26 Conversion Flight RAF Short Stirling I On 2 January 1942 it was upgraded to form 1651 CU
1942–1943 No. 1651 Conversion Unit RAF Short Stirling I, III During 1942 it flew 49 operational sorties, with a loss of five aircraft
1942 214 Squadron Conversion Flight RAF Short Stirling I Two short stays April–May and August–October 1942
1943 No. 1665 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF Short Stirling I
1943 No. 1678 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF Avro Lancaster II The training unit for No. 514 Squadron RAF
1943-1945 No. 514 Squadron RAF Avro Lancaster I, II and III 437 aircrew were killed flying with 514 Squadron

Transport Command, 1945-1949[edit]

After the Second World War, Consolidated Liberators and Douglas Dakotas from RAF Transport Command flew from RAF Waterbeach.[7]

RAF units and aircraft – Transport Command[edit]

Years Unit Aircraft Variant Notes
1945-1946 No. 59 Squadron RAF Consolidated Liberator B, C and GR Carrying troops to and from India and the Far East
1945-1946 No. 220 Squadron RAF Consolidated Liberator C Mk V, VI and VIII
1946 1552 (BABS) Flight RAF Airspeed Oxford Training in Beam Approach Beacon System, March–July
1946-1947 No. 51 Squadron RAF Avro York C
1947–1949 No. 77 Squadron RAF Douglas Dakota Participated in Operation Plainfare, the Berlin Airlift
1947–1949 No. 62 Squadron RAF Douglas Dakota Participated in Operation Plainfare, the Berlin Airlift
1947–1949 No. 53 Squadron RAF Douglas Dakota Participated in Operation Plainfare, the Berlin Airlift
1947-1950 No. 18 Squadron RAF Douglas Dakota Participated in Operation Plainfare, the Berlin Airlift
1949-1950 No. 24 Squadron RAF Avro Lancastrian
Douglas Dakota
Avro York 		C2
C Mk IV
C Mk I 		Participated in Operation Plainfare and then European scheduled services

Fighter Command, 1950-1963[edit]

RAF Fighter Command took over the base on 1 March 1950 and used Gloster Meteors, Supermarine Swifts, de Havilland Venoms, de Havilland Vampires and Gloster Javelins. In addition Hawker Hunter fighters arrived in May 1955 and, two years later, the prototype English Electric P1 (Lightning) visited RAF Waterbeach.[citation needed]

RAF units and aircraft – Fighter Command[edit]

Years Unit Aircraft Variant Notes
1950-1959 No. 56 Squadron RAF Gloster Meteor
Supermarine Swift
Hawker Hunter 		F4 and F8
F1 and F2
F5 and F8 		27 Meteor F4s from RAF Thorney Island arrived on 10 May 1950
1950-1958 No. 63 Squadron RAF Gloster Meteor
Hawker Hunter 		F4 and F8
F6a
1955-1957 No. 253 Squadron RAF de Havilland Venom
de Havilland Vampire 		NF2a
T11
1957-1958 No. 153 Squadron RAF Gloster Meteor
Gloster Javelin 		NF12 and 14
FAW 7 and 9
1958-1961 No. 25 Squadron RAF Gloster Meteor
Gloster Javelin 		NF12 and 14
FAW 7 and 9
1959-1961 No. 46 Squadron RAF Gloster Javelin FAW 2
1961-1962 No. 64 Squadron RAF Gloster Javelin FAW 9
1961-1963 No. 1 Squadron RAF Hawker Hunter F6 and FGA9
1961-1963 No. 54 Squadron RAF Hawker Hunter FGA9 Hunter XG264 was the last to leave RAF Waterbeach for RAF West Raynham on 8 August 1963

After the last RAF fixed-wing aircraft, from No. 54 Squadron RAF, left in August 1963,[8] the site was used by the Airfield Construction Branch RAF until 1966.[9]

Royal Engineers[edit]

In 1966 the station and airfield remained the property of the Ministry of Defence, but was transferred from the Royal Air Force to the Royal Engineers, part of the British Army, as Waterbeach Barracks.[10] Until the closure of nearby RAF Oakington in the early 1970s, the main runway at Waterbeach remained active, along with the control tower, and was used as a relief landing ground for Varsities used in the advanced pilot training role. The former airfield was used as a training area for troops, with occasional visits by helicopters and, in the past, by the Hawker Siddeley Harrier.[11]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ Birtles 2012, p. 52.
  2. ^ Delve 1994, p. 77.
  3. ^ Delve 1994, p. 85.
  4. ^ Delve 1994, p. 89.
  5. ^ Hamlin & Merrington 2011, p. [page needed].
  6. ^ Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum, displays and unpublished archives.
  7. ^ Hamlin & Merrington 2011, pp. 31–35.
  8. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 42.
  9. ^ Hamlin & Merrington 2011, pp. 21–22.
  10. ^ Planning Application CP88 – Denny St Francis (Waterbeach), Cambridgeshire County Council, retrieved 2011-07-20
  11. ^ Waterbeach Barracks, 12 (Air Support) Engineer Group

Bibliography[edit]

  • Birtles, Philip (2012). UK Airfields of the Cold War. Midland Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-346-4.
  • Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Hamlin, John F.; Merrington, Oliver J. (2011) [updated 2014]. At the Beach: the story of Royal Air Force Waterbeach and Waterbeach Barracks. Peterborough: GMS Enterprises. ISBN 978-1-904514-63-3.[verification needed]
  • Jefford, C. G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.

External links[edit]

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