Hibaldstow Airfield History

RAF Hibaldstow Airfield
(Map edited to show the airfield and runways between 1940-45)
Bomber Command Crest
© Crown Copyright/MOD 2010
Airfield Code:HEGoogle Earth Co-ordinates:
53°29'47.54"N  0°31'18.62"W
Runways:
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Station History

RAF Hibaldstow was one of the first wartime airfields to be built in the North of Lincolnshire. Originally intended for Bomber Commands use it had the usual three intersecting runways. It would however be used by fighter command, its hard runways making it unique amongst fighter airfields. The airfield was commissioned on 12th May 1941 when No.255 Squadron took up residence with their Defiant night fighters. These planes had been drawn from RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey and made one kill, an He.111 which was shot down near Louth on 5th June 1941.

In June 1941 the Defiant's were replaced by Beaufighter II's and on 23rd September 1941 No.253 (Hyderabad) Squadron from Skeabrea, Orkney, arrived. In addition Havocs from Hunsdon Airfield in Hunsdon, Hertfordshire also came to the base. No.255 Squadron was joined by No.253 Squadron from Orkney in September 1941. By the start of 1943, the low risk of night attacks by the Luftwaffe led to the closure of the airbase on the 23rd January 1943. The airbase re-opened on 9th May 1943 for No.53 OTU and once again closed on 15th May 1945. During 1943 it became a satellite of RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey when that station changed role and became a training station not a fighter base.

Shortly before closure WAAF Margaret Horton had an unexpected ride on the tail of a Spitfire while acting as a tail weight. She was sat on the tail of the plane, as was common practice, in order to stop it overturning while it taxied to the end of the runway, a hazard stemming from design drawbacks, strong wind and bouncy grass field. The pilot, anxious to be airborne, forgot about her and failed to stop to allow the WAAF to jump off the tail. As soon as the plane was in the air, the pilot realised that there was something very wrong with the handling of his aircraft. He radioed the control tower to report the problem. The emergency services were called out and the pilot talked back in without being told what had happened. The aircraft landed safely with Margaret Horton still in one piece.

On 6th August 1947 the station finally closed and during 1960-61 it was sold off for use as agricultural land. It was also used for Sunday markets, as a skid-pan by Lincolnshire Police and by a local parachute club. The control tower was converted to a two-storey house in 1976.

Today flying continues in the form of model aircraft and full scale ones of the parachute school. Most of the runways exist in some form, driving instruction utilising one section. The control tower has been converted into a house. Remains of the dispersed living accommodation can be found to the South of the airfield in woodland, the sewage treatment works also remains, disused however.

Aircraft and Squadrons
DateSquadronNotes
12th May 1941RAF Hibaldstow opens.
May 1941No.255 SqnOperating the Boulton Paul Defiant and Bristol Beaufighter. The squadron left the airfield on the 20th September 1941.
August 1941No.29 SqnOperating the Bristol Beaufighter. The squadron left the station on the 20th September 1941.
September 1941No.253 SqnOperating the Hawker Hurricane. They left Hibaldstow in November 1942.
September 1941No.1459 FltOperating the Douglas A-20 Boston and Havoc. Squadron disbanded in September 1942 to form No.538 Squadron.
February 1942No.409 Sqn RAAFOperating the Bristol Beaufighter. The Australians left the station on the 21st February 1942.
July 1942No.486 Sqn RNZAFOperating the Hawker Hurricane. They left Hibaldstow on the 11th August 1942.
July 1942No.1453 FlightOperating the Douglas A-20 Havoc. The flight left the station on the 21st August 1942.
September 1942No.532 SqnOperating the Douglas A-20 Havoc and Hawker Hurricane. The squadron disbanded at the airfield on the 25th January 1943.
September 1942No.538 SqnOperating the Douglas A-20 Havoc and Hawker Hurricane. The squadron disbanded on the 25th January 1943.
September 1942No.1459 FlightOperating the Douglas A-20 Havoc. The flight was re-numbered No.538 Sqdn on the 7th September 1942.
January 1943Station put on care and maintenance.
May 1943No.53 OTUOperating the Supermarine Spitfire, Miles Master and Martinet. The Operational Training Unit disbanded at the airfield on the 15th May 1945.
April 1946No.5 (P) AFUOperating the Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire, Avro Anson and North American Harvard. The Advanced Flying School disbanded at the airfield on the 6th August 1947.
6th August 1947RAF Hibaldstow closed.
1960-61Station sold-off for agricultural use.