RAF Langham
| RAF Langham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Langham, Norfolk | |
 | |
| WWII ground-to-air training dome | |
| Type | Royal Air Force station |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Air Ministry |
| Controlled by | Royal Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1940 |
| In use | 1940-1961 |
| Battles/wars | Second World War, Cold War |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | RAF Coastal Command |
Royal Air Force station Langham or simply RAF Langham is a former Royal Air Force station, located 15 miles (24 km) North-West of Norwich, Norfolk, England, from 1940 to 1961.
History
The airfield was originally equipped with three grass runways. Originally opened as a satellite station for RAF Bircham Newton, the station became independent in 1942, when it was upgraded with concrete runways, perimeter track and hardstandings, and there is evidence to suggest that it was equipped with the FIDO fog dispersal system.[1]
In 1947 the station was placed into care and maintenance, but it was reactivated during the Korean War. It was later used as an emergency landing strip for RAF Sculthorpe, before final closure in 1961.
Langham aircraft
Several types of aircraft have operated out of Langham, among these:
- Fairey Swordfish
- Bristol Beaufighter
- Vickers Wellington
- Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
- de Havilland Mosquito
- de Havilland Vampire FB5, and FB9.
Langham units
- No. 455 Squadron RAAF
- No. 489 Squadron RNZAF
- No. 524 Squadron RAF
- No. 521 Squadron RAF
- No. 2 Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp (AAPC)
Current use
The station was purchased by Bernard Matthews, who constructed turkey sheds on the runways. The turkey farm is now operated by another farmer, but the construction of the sheds has preserved large sections of the runways.[2]
Surviving buildings on the site include the control tower and a dome trainer building used for the instruction of ground to air anti-aircraft gunnery.[3]
See also
References
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to RAF Langham. |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
