Wellingore Airfield History
(Map edited to show runways)
© Crown Copyright/MOD 2010
53°4'40.98"N 0°31'30.00"WRunways:
NE/SW 3300ft - WNW/ESE 3150ft
The site of Wellingore airfield lies approximately one mile south of Wellingore Village. It was first used in late 1917 as a Relief Landing Ground for Cranwell. The site was expanded at the outbreak of WWII, with the provision of a concrete perimeter track, eight blister hangars, six fighter 'E'-pens and defensive pillboxes. A small technical site was established at the north-west corner of the airfield.
The airfield changed roles when No.29 Squadron and No.46 Squadron arrived from Digby with Blenheims and Hurricanes respectively, and were operational during the Battle of Britain. Following the Battle, a variety of fighter units were rotated through the airfield until April 1944. However, during this period aircraft from No.11 SFTS used Wellingore briefly, in 1941. Following the cessation of fighter operations, the airfield reverted back to a RLG for RAF Cranwell until closure in late 1945.
Today, the airfield has returned to agriculture. Some 'E'-pens survive, as does most of the perimeter track and some pill boxes, including the battle headquarters. Of the communal and accommodation sites, a few structures exist in private woodland.
| Date | Squadron | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1917 | Station opened. | |
| 1919 | Station closed. | |
| 1935 | Station re-opened as a relief landing strip for RAF Cranwell. | |
| 1939/40 | Station was expanded to a full airfield. | |
| July 1940 | No.29 Sqn | Operating the Bristol Blenheim and Bristol Beaufighter. Left Wellingore in April 1941. |
| May 1941 | No.402 Sqn RCAF | Operating the Hawker Hurricane. Left Wellingore in June 1941. |
| October 1941 | No.412 Sqn RCAF | Operating the Supermarine Spitfire. Left Wellingore in May 1942. |
| September 1942 | No.154 Sqn | Operating the Supermarine Spitfire. Left Wellingore in November 1942. |
| September 1942 | No.81 Sqn | Operating the Hawker Hurricane. Left Wellingore in October 1942. |
| December 1942 | No.288 Sqn | Operating the Supermarine Spitfire. Left Wellingore in January 1943. |
| April 1943 | No.613 Sqn | Operating the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang. Left Wellingore in May 1943. |
| May 1943 | No.416 Sqn RCAF | Operating the Supermarine Spitfire. Left Wellingore in June 1943. |
| August 1943 | No.349 Sqn Belgian AF | Operating the Supermarine Spitfire. Left Wellingore in August 1943. |
| September 1943 | No.416 Sqn RCAF | Operating the Supermarine Spitfire. Left Wellingore in October 1943. |
| December 1943 | No.439 Sqn RCAF | Operating the Hawker Hurricane. Left Wellingore in January 1944. |
| January 1944 | No.402 Sqn RCAF | Operating the Hawker Hurricane. Left Wellingore in April 1944. |
| August 1945 | RAF Wellingore closed. |
