Ouston
OUSTON: Military aerodrome
Note: This picture (2017) was obtained from Google Earth ©
Military users: WW2: RAF Fighter Command 12 Group
81, 242 & 243 Sqdns (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
317 (Polish) Sqdn (Hawker Hurricanes)
62 OTU (Avro Ansons & Hurricanes)
281 (ASR) Sqdn (Avro Ansons, Boulton Paul Defiants and Supermarine Walrus)
Post 1945: UAS Chipmunks (It seems some UAS were being trained on Jet Provosts even up to 1975?) I assume the OUSTON based UAS weren’t using Jet Provosts here?)
607 Sqdn Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Note: Converted to Spitfires on May 1946, before converting to Vampire in 1951 which the flew until 1957, when they were disbanded.
Gliding: Listed as operating in 1975
Location: E of B6309, SE of Ouston village, 1nm S of Stamfordham
Period of operation: 1941 to 1985 at least?
Runways: 09/27 1143x46 hard 05/23 1097x46 hard
14/32 1280x46 hard
NOTES: It came as quite a surprise to me, learning that the Boulton Paul Defiant night-fighter, (possibly the most useless aircraft for its intended role?), later became widely deployed in the Air-Sea Rescue role, replacing the Westland Lysander. It also came as a surprise to learn that the RAF at the outbreak of WW2 did not have anything even resembling a cohesive air-sea rescue strategy. The only authoritative history of WW2 air-sea rescue I’ve come across is Shot Down and in the Drink by Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork and I think it is of interest to quote this from it:
“By this time it was becoming clear that the Lysander, an old aircraft, was increasingly difficult to maintain, and spares were scarce. It was obvious that a replacement aircraft needed to be identified. Trials with another almost obsolete aircraft, the Defiant, were commenced in February. (My note: in 1942). In April authority was given to form the first Defiant squadron, 281, at Ouston in Northumberland with a detachment at Turnhouse near Edinburgh. On completion of the trial, Fighter Command was given authority in May to replace all the Lysanders with Defiants. By June a modified form of rescue equipment container had been designed for carriage on the underside of the aircraft’s wings.”
MY NOTE
Presumably this was where that famous phrase used by ‘spaceship aircrew’ and now immortalised in aerospace history was first heard…. “Ouston, we have a problem!”
AN INTERESTING INTERLUDE
It now appears that in the mid 1960s, OUSTON doubled as a civilian airport. In November 2017 Mike Charlton kindly sent me this information: "When Newcastle converted from huts to moderrn terminal and the runway was strengthened all operations moved to RAF Ouston with Air Force controllers but civvie back up staff. Dates were 1st November 1965 to 30th March 1966."
"BKS operated Hawker-Siddeley HS748s and Airspeed Ambassadors. The Bristol Britannia's were delivered to Middleton St. George at that time because the runway at Ouston wasn't long enough. They redeployed to Newcastle on opening. Dan Air operated Douglas DC-3s and Airspeed Ambassadors."
Mike also sent me additional information provided by Glen Auld, the editor of North East Air News. It appears that Braathens S.A.F.E. operated Fokker F-27s and Douglas DC-6s, BUA (British United Airways) with Handley Page Heralds. Channel Airways flew in with Hawker-Siddeley HS748s and Vickers Viscounts, and Morton Air Services operated Douglas DC-3s and de Havilland DH114 Herons.
Other operators, mostly on charter work, were Gregory Air Services with light aircraft and a Douglas DC-3, Martins Air Charter operated Douglas DC-3s and DC-6s, and Schreiner a Douglas DC-3 (possibly more than one?). If my memory is correct, the light aircraft used by Gregory Air Services were probably Piper PA-23 Aztecs?
A FOND MEMORY
In October 2021 I was kindly contacted by Mr Tom Kirkbride who has this tale to tell. He served in the RAF from 1954 to 1956, having been deferred to complete his SRN training. After his basic training he was posted to RAF Hospital HALTON near Wendover. For the final six months he was posted to RAF OUSTON, i/c sick quarters which included the Radar Unit at RAF Longbenton. Then; "If my memory serves me right, Ouston were flying Vampires - I can still remember the noise."
It is of course quite impossible for me to add increasing amounts of intricate detail to every listing - but - Vampires at OUSTON? This had to be looked into, and yes, he was quite correct. Basic info now added above.
LATER YEARS
It appears that the British Army now run this site, and have done so for several years. It seems that Army helicopters visit this site on a irregular basis.
Ian
This comment was written on: 2018-04-25 10:47:31I was there yesterday (24/04/18) visiting an Artillery unit. Its called Albermarle Barracks now. Not much you can say about the camp, the original buildings and Married Quarters are still there. I didn't go anywhere near the run way so I don't know what state it's in. It all seems such a waste.
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