RAF Croughton, Northampton.

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

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An RAF station and the RAF flag flies, but it is used by the USAF as a communication hub.

RAF Croughton. Latin : Fortis Ubique Volantis - Strong Flying Everywhere.

422nd Air Base Group USAF.

 

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

Information

RAF Croughton

Details

2083 - Men.
191 - WAAF's.
4 - T2 hangar.
6 - Fighter pens.
1 - Grass airfield.
10 - Blister Hangars.
15 - Circular hardstands.

 

 

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

Details

Parking in a lay by on the A43 where I have marked with a P on the plan.

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

Details

A re clad T2 hangar.
History : RAF Croughton was built in 1938, it was first known as Brackley Landing Ground until 1940 when it became RAF Brackley. In July 1941 the name changed again and the station became RAF Croughton. (Wikipedia)
No16 Operational Training Unit (OTU) from RAF Upper Hayford used Croughton as a satellite with Hampdons, Blenheims and Wellington's.

Handley Page Hampdon.

Cockpit.

T2 hangar.

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

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There is no way to get inside, but from the road you can see a very good set of fighter pens. Also a Braithwaite water tower.

Plan.

Fighter pen 11070/41 plan.

Bristol Blenheim.

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

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Fighter dispersal pens Type B 11070/41 (B for Blenheim type, slightly larger).
On satellite airfield there were only 6 pens for one squadron of 12 aircraft. A major airfield would have had 12 pens for 24 aircraft and two squadrons.

This pen from the air.

Plan of the air raid shelter built into the pen.

Typhoon in a pen.

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

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Two more T2 Hangars.
History :1942 and No.1 Glider Training Unit arrived with Hectors, Harvard's & Masters towing Hotspur Gliders and Dakotas towing the heavier Horse’s. 1943 and No.20(Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit with Oxfords to train pilots for Bomber Command. 1944 and back to gliders with No.1 Glider Conversion Unit.

Plan.

Hector training glider.

Miles Master.

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

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History : with the war ended and the cold war starting, communications was the game and now the Americans run the camp with large domes and satellite dishes. The station is home to the 422nd Air Base Group and operates one of Europe's largest military switchboards and processes approximately a third of all U.S. military communications in Europe.(Wikipedia)

422nd Air Base Group.

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

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Back to the first T2.l

Plan.

RAF Croughton.

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

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01 July 1942 photo showing the new airfield unfolding.

Glider pilots wings.

 

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

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Plan 1945.

Unknown type of control tower?

Building a T2 hangar.

Putting on the doors.

RAF Croughton

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RAF Croughton

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© 2013 Richard Drew