Church Lawford

CHURCH LAWFORD: Military aerodrome

Military users: WW2: RAF Flying Training Command 23 Group

18 AFU [Advanced Flying Unit] (Airspeed Oxfords)

1533 BAT Flt (Airspeed Oxfords)

5 Instructors School (EVT)

US Army Air Force (Liaison only?)

Location: 3nm WNW of Rugby

Period of operation: 1941 to 1948 (Another record says it was operational till 1955)

Runways: WW2: 17/35 1298x46 hard 04/22 1097x46 hard
09/27 1280x46 hard

Later?: 18/36 1280x46 hard 05/23 1097x46 hard
11/29 1280x46 hard

NOTES: It appears that most of the training here was done in Airspeed Oxfords and Avro Tutors. At one point in 1942 it does seem that 172 Oxfords were based here! If this is correct how on earth did they organise this? One answer of course was by using RLGs (Relief Landing Grounds) at other airfields nearby.

After WW2 it appears that DH Tiger Moths and North American Harvards were used for training.

ANDREW SAYERS

This comment was written on: 2016-11-07 13:07:21

Also the site of the ROC 8 Gp HQ. The surface buildings still stand, now in use as part of the satellite ground station. The underground nuclear bunker is believed to have been destroyed.

Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Andrew, Many thanks for the extra info. Regards, Dick

Brian Gardner

This comment was written on: 2018-05-03 16:44:51

I made my first solo flight from here in 1952 (March?) in a RAF Chipmunk. Our BFTS (B=basic) was based at Ansty near Coventry, and we used Ch Lawford as our satellite. The ACU was still operational (just).

Finella

This comment was written on: 2018-08-20 17:24:12

trying to understand my father's ww2 record. He spent whole war in uk. They say he refused promotion. He ended as a corporal and an instructor but was a well educated man. My query is about 18 (P) AFU which appears in your notes about Church Lawford, but on my father's records they are written as at Halton 2/9/43. He has 'Oxfords' listed on his special qualifications list and at Church Lawford in 1945 he was at 5 EVT. So would the date at Halton be correct or should it say Church Lawford do you think? hope you can help thanks, Finella

Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Finella, I really can't help here. But, I will keep your enquiry posted and hopefully some kindly person will be able to offer advice. Best regards, Dick

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