Boulmer
BOULMER: Military aerodrome
Note: First picture by the author: The second picture, clearly showing the WW2 airfield layout, is from Google Earth ©
Military user: WW2 RAF Fighter Command 12 Group
57 OTU (Operational Training Unit) (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
No.9 Battle Training School*
Note: This picture, from a postcard, was kindly sent by Mike Charlton who has an amazing collection. See: www.aviationpostcard.co.uk
It seems that this Lghtning was on display from 1976 to 1992, then being replaced by the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom XV415.
The Lightning then appears to have been acquired by the owner of Vanguard Self Storage in Perivale, West London, and has remained hidden ever since.
Post 1945: RAF 202 (SAR) Squadron 1980s to 2000s:
202 (SAR) Sqdn (Sea Kings)
1998 snapshot: RAF Search and Rescue HQ for 202 Sqdn
A Flight (202 Sqdn) 2 x Westland Sea King HAR 3
Location: On coast, ENE of B1339 at Lesbury, 3.5nm E of Alnwick.
Note: This ASR base is situated N to NNW of the WW2 airfield, the outline of which can clearly be seen on Google Earth.
Period of operation: 1943 to present day?
Runways: WW2: 01/19 1645x46 hard 06/24 1289x46 hard
15/33 1188x46 hard
NOTES: In WW2 the runways were hardcore, tarmac and wood chippings.
By 1944 BOULMER was a relatively small RAF establishment with 617 serving here plus 106 WAAFs.
*It appears that the No.9 Battle Training School taught night-flying, dive-bombing, strafing, bouncer and chase tactics. The term "bouncer" is unfamiliar to me, so, could anybody be kind enough to explain?
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