RAF Little Rissington

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RAF Little Rissington
IATA: - ICAO: EGVL
Summary
Airport type Military
Operator Royal Air Force
Serves Bourton-on-the-Water
Elevation AMSL 730 ft (223 m)
Coordinates 51°52′00″N, 001°42′00″W
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
05/23 4,902 1,494 Asphalt
09/27 3,500 1,068 Asphalt
14/32 3,200 975 Asphalt

RAF Little Rissington (formally EGVL) is a former RAF station in Gloucestershire, England. It was once home to the Central Flying School, the Red Pelicans and the Headquarters to the Red Arrows.

Built during the 1930s, the station was opened in 1938 and closed in 1994. The married quarters and main technical site were sold in 1996 (the former becoming the village of Upper Rissington), but the aerodrome has been retained by the Ministry of Defence and remains active along with the southern technical sites.

It is now home to; 637 Volunteer Gliding Squadron who provide elementary flying training for Combined Cadet Force and Air Training Corps cadets, and the Home Office Experimental Still-Air Fire Test Facility. In previous years, the Royal Air Force base has been used to film movie scenes; from The Avengers (film), to part of the ice chase in Die Another Day.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] The beginning - 1930's into War

During the build up to the Second World War, the Air Ministry began constructing major airfields across the United Kingdom under what was known as the Expansion Period. RAF Little Rissington was one of these airfields.

Royal Air Force Station Little Rissington officially opened in 1938, comprising of the domestic site and a grass airfield. During 1942, the airfield had three asphalt runways laid. Extra land accommodated Sites A to E. Later in the war, the main runway 05/23 was extended northerly (later to become the main instrument runway), 09/27 and 14/32 were extended easterly and south easterly respectively.

Up to 1945 the Station accommodated No.6 Service Flying Training School and No.8 Maintenance Unit, housed hundreds of aircraft across its dispersals.

[edit] Central Flying School - 1946 to 1976

1946 the Royal Air Force Central Flying School moved to Little Rissington. Little Rissington also became the home to the Official Aerobatics Team which included the Red Pelicans and later the Red Arrows. Also during this period saw the airfield expanded, including a new Fire Building and Air Traffic Control tower built.

[edit] Imjim Barracks - 1977 to 1979

RAF Little Rissington changed hands after CFS's departure to the British Army, and with the arrival of the Royal Irish Rangers Little Rissington became Imjim Barracks.

[edit] USAF(E) RAF Little Rissington - 1981 to 1993

With the arrival of the United States Air Force in Europe, Little Rissington became the largest military contingency hospital in Europe. The aerodrome was cleared for C-130 Hercules and C5 Galaxies. During the Gulf War, Little Rissington was held on its highest readiness state for several decades as it prepared for casualties. With the change of presidency the USAF pulled out of Little Rissington and it returned to the Royal Air Force.

[edit] The draw down - 1994 to Present

Little Rissington fell foul of the Government's Options for Change package and the entire site was put up for sale, and the domestic and main technical sites of the Station were sold to a property developer. Much of the Station still exists almost untouched, but as a business park. The aerodrome saw many hangars demolished including Air Traffic Control, but was eventually not sold. Today it remains operational for Elementary Flying Training, amongst other activities. A hangar remains for 3 Vigilant motor gliders, along with a small hut and a mobile Air Traffic Control station for 637 VGS. The airfield is now owned by the Air Cadet Movement.

[edit] Units

[edit] Maintenance Units

  • No.8 Maintenance Unit (1938-?)

[edit] Flying Training Units

  • No.6 Service Flying Training School (1938-1942), renamed No.6 Pilot-Advanced Flying Unit (1942-?)
  • No.23 Blind Approach Training Flight (1941-1942), renamed No.1523 Blind Approach Training Flight (1942-1945)
  • Royal Air Force Central Flying School (1946-1976)
  • No.637 Gliding School (1976-2005), renamed No.637 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (2005-Present)

[edit] Aerobatics Display Units

[edit] Army Units

[edit] Overseas Units

  • United States Air Force - European Force (1981-1993)
  • 20th Tactical Fighter Wing - (Lodging)

[edit] References

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