Dalton
DALTON: Military aerodrome later private airfield
Note: Both of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Military users: WW2: RAF Bomber Command 7 Group
102 Sqdn (Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys, later Handley Page Halifaxs)
1652 & 1666 HCU [Heavy Conversion Units] (Handley Page Haifaxs)
6 Group (RCAF)
420, 424 & 428 Sqdns (Vickers Wellingtons later Handley Page Halifaxes)
Note: 428 Squadron it appears went on to fly the Halifax, but did this apply to 420 & 424 Squadrons?
1691 BGF [Bomber Gunnery Flight] June 1943 to February 1944 (Miles Martinets & Airspeed Oxfords)
1695 (B) DTF [Bomber Defence Training Flight] February 1944 to April 1945
(Miles Martinets, Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires & Hawker Hurricanes)
Location: E of A168, ESE of Topcliffe, W to SW of Dalton, 4nm S of Thirsk
Period of operation: Military: 1941 to 1945 Civil: 1970s/80s only?
Runways: WW2: 11/29 1646x46 hard 05/23 1426x46 hard
17/35 1280x46 hard
NOTES: In 1977 it seems just one aeroplane was based here, the Cessna F.172F G-ASWL.
Ian Thomson
This comment was written on: 2021-03-22 15:24:19Question: Hi, my Dad (WAG Donald E Thomson) flew out of Dalton in May 1943. His Wellington X (HE864 428 Sq.) was shot down May 4/5 1943, whilst returning from a mission over Dortmund. He and others were taken POWs while attempting evasion in Holland. Two of the 5 crew where KIA. I am attempting to piece their story together. I have tried to locate certain RAF Dalton features of the day via a couple of aerial photos, but no luck so far. Perhaps you can help: (1) where would the crew members have suited-up before heading out to their Wellington (was it in a hanger, separate building or...)? (2) Where was the "Mess" located? (3) I have read some descriptions of their evening (pre-takeoff) meal as being "corn flakes and poached eggs on toast"...dos that sound right to anyone? Any other quirky tidbits about Dalton that might add a little colour to my description? Many thanks for anything anyone might be able to contribute. I have seen the 1943 photo of the Wellington and the "entire" 428 Squadron names hand listed on the back. There are blanks (no numbers) for some. I assume this iconic image was taken before May 1943 (i.e., when my father was still on base) but the adding of names might have only been after May 4/5, when he became a POW. That doesn't mean that he necessarily missed the photo op. None of the crew on his HE864 are listed...so timing is everything. Has anyone pinned down the actual 1943 date on which the photo was taken? Many-many thanks for any information that might be forthcoming. Cheers! Ian Thomson, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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