Tarrant Rushton

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Tarrant Rushton is a village in north Dorset, England, situated in the Tarrant Valley five miles east of Blandford Forum. The village has a population of 105 (2001).

Building of the airfield at Tarrant Rushton commenced in May 1942, the airfield being intended for the use of airborne forces of 38 Wing. On 17th May 1943 the base was handed over while still unfinished. Glider operations finally started in October 1943 and continued until 1945. Aircraft from Tarrant took part in both D-Day and Operation Market Garden (Arnhem). During the closing stages of WW2 aircraft were used for SOE operations.

In September 1946 the airfield was placed on Care and Maintenance status until abandoned in December 1947.However 6 months later in June 1948 Flight Refuelling Ltd arrived to begin 30 years of occupancy. Almost immediately, Flight Refuelling became involved in the Berlin Airlift and, between July 1948 and August 1949,carried out nearly 4500 sorties using Lancastrians and Lancasters. During the following 30 years most activity was centred around conversion of aircraft for in-flight refueling.

In the 70s Flight Refueling moved out,flying operations moving to Hurn,and the airfield was used only by gliders and occasional light aircraft until it was officially closed on 30th of September 1980.