RAF Moreton-in-Marsh

RAF Moreton-in-Marsh

The Fire Service Technical College on the old airfield site
Summary
Airport type Military
Operator Royal Air Force
Location Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire
Built 1940
In use 1941-1955
Coordinates 51°59′42″N 001°40′48″W / 51.99500°N 1.68000°W / 51.99500; -1.68000Coordinates: 51°59′42″N 001°40′48″W / 51.99500°N 1.68000°W / 51.99500; -1.68000
Map
RAF Moreton-in-Marsh

Location in Gloucestershire

Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
00/00 0 0 Asphalt
00/00 0 0 Asphalt
00/00 0 0 Asphalt
Operational dates.[1]

RAF Moreton-in-Marsh was a Royal Air Force station near Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. It was opened in November 1940 and closed for operational flying in early 1948. The base remained in use as a relief runway and for training. After a period of care and maintenance, the Station was handed over to the Home Office in 1955.

The town's environs are quite flat and low-lying although it is situated at the northern extremity of the Cotswold Hills range. During World War II, a large area of this flat land to the east of the town was developed as an airfield and became the base of 21 OTU (Operational Training Unit) RAF, flying mainly Vickers Wellington bombers.[2] It is highly likely that the airfield inspired the title of the radio show Much Binding in the Marsh. After all, two of its stars, Kenneth Horne and Richard Murdoch, served there as flying instructors.

Current use

The former airfield is now home to the Fire Service College where senior fire officers from brigades all over the UK undergo operational, management and leadership training.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "Moreton-in-Marsh". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  2. ↑ "Moreton-in-Marsh". Air of Authority. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
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