RAF Bomber Command crest
© Crown Copyright/MOD 2010


RAF Sutton Bridge



Airfield Code: ?

Google Earth Co-ordinates: 52°45'35.50"N        0°11'48.44"E

Runways:  08/26 = 3450ft (PSP)         13/31 = 2400ft (sommerfeld tracking)        NE/SW = 4200ft (grass)


Sutton Bridge opened in 1926 as a Gunnery Training Camp. But by 1st January 1932, it had changed hands to No.3 Armament Training Camp. Sutton Bridge was finally fully opened as an airfield in 1936, but the first squadrons did not arrive until October 1939.

No.264 Squadron was formed at Sutton Bridge in October 1939, and equipped with the Boulton Paul Defiant. But by December the same year they had been moved on to RAF Martlesham Heath. They were joined in the same month by No.266 Squadron, which was also formed at Sutton Bridge.

Following the end of WWII, Sutton Bridge finally became inactive, and in early 1946, was placed on care and maintenance, and became the new home of No.54 MU. The work of No.54 MU was to carry out Category 3 engineering repairs on-site at any eastern region airfield from the Thames to Lincolnshire. The Maintenance Unit was to leave Sutton Bridge in late 1957, with the closure of airfield shortly following in early 1958.

Today RAF Sutton Bridge now finds gainful employment as a potato store. The Royal Air Force Memorial Chapel of Saints Michael and Philip is the village church of St Matthew, in Sutton Bridge on the A17. The memorial chapel is located in the north aisle of the church and was dedicated on 29th March 1957, in memory of Commonwealth and Allied airmen who gave their lives whilst serving at RAF Sutton Bridge. The chapel also includes In the chapel a Roll of Honour. The altar frontal includes the crests of the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Polish Air Force, and a Czechoslovak Air Force flying badge.


Aircraft & Squadrons

Date
Sqn
Notes
1926
 
Station opened as a Gunnery Training Camp.
January 1932
 
Station became No.3 Armament Training Camp.
1936
 
Stations airfield fully opened.
November 1939
No.266 Sqn
RAF
Operating the Fairey Battle and Supermarine Spitfire. Left Sutton in March 1940.
November 1939
No.264 Sqn
RAF
Operating the Fairey Battle. Left Sutton in December 1939.
December 1939
No.254 Sqn
RAF
Operating the Bristol Blenheim. Left Sutton in January 1940.
November 1941
No.56 OTU
Operating the Hawker Hurricane, Fairey Battle and Supermarine Spitfire. The Operational Training Unit left Sutton in March 1942.
September 1942
GLW
RAF
The Gunnery Leaders Wing left Sutton in March 1944.
February 1946
 
Station placed on care and maintenance.
July 1954
No.54 MU
RAF
The Maintenance Unit left Sutton in November 1957.
1958
 
RAF Sutton Bridge closed.



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