RAF Binbrook
| RAF Binbrook | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Characteristics | |||
| ICAO code | EGXB | ||
| IATA code | GSY | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Transport links | |||
| Distance from the city center | 15 km southwest of Grimsby | ||
| Street | 8 km to the 
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| Basic data | |||
| opening | June 1940 | ||
| closure | July 12, 1992 | ||
| operator | Royal Air Force | ||
The Royal Air Force Station Binbrook , shortly RAF Binbrook , was a north-west of Binbrook in the county of Lincolnshire , England situated military airfield of the British Royal Air Force (RAF). Most of the buildings were preserved, but the three runways no longer exist. The technical buildings are used industrially today, while the accommodation on the base is partially empty. The surrounding houses of former (mostly married) soldiers now form the new village of Brookenby.
history
RAF Binbrook opened as the base of the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command in 1940 during World War II . The station, initially only equipped with grass runways, was temporarily closed in 1942 in order to build three concrete runways . Binbrook became the base of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadron , the 460th Squadron .
After the war, RAF Binbrook was among other things the home base of the IX. , 12th , 101st and 617th Squadron , all still active today (2012). The age of jet-powered RAF bombers began in Binbrook . The English Electric Canberra , the first British jet bomber, was first stationed in Binbrook.
In 1959 Binbrook base a squadron all-weather fighter aircraft of the type Gloster Javelin , were added a squadron of target towing aircraft types Canberra and Gloster Meteor .
From 1965 the station was home to the English Electric Lightning . Initially only the 5th Squadron was located here , the 11th was added in 1972 . These two seasons were the last two users of the Lightning. The 5th Squadron flew the Lightning until the beginning of 1988, the 11th continued to operate the Lightning for a few months. This ended regular flight operations in RAF Binbrook. The two former Lightning squadrons were then Tornado F3 squadrons in RAF Leeming .
The airfield served as an alternate base for RAF Scampton for a good decade and was also used by gliders . In 1990 scenes from the film Memphis Belle were shot here . In 1992 the airfield was completely closed and the area was privatized in the following years.