Rattlesden
RATTLESDEN: Military aerodrome later gliding site
Note: These four pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Another example of just how clearly the remains of this WW2 airfield can still be seen seventy years later. And indeed, even a couple of the dispersals have survived.
Military user: 8th USAAF 4th Bombardment Wing 447th Bomb Group
708, 709, 710 & 711 Sqdns (Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses)
Operated by: 1980s to - : Rattlesden Gliding Club
Location: SW of Hightown Green, 8nm SE of Bury St. Edmunds
Period of operation: Military: 1942 to 1945 Civil: 1970s to -
Runways: WW2: 06/24 1829x46 hard 17/35 1280x46 hard
13/31 1280x46 hard
NOTES: Here again, a typical USAAF WW2 bomber base probably long since forgotten by most, but in its day populated by 2894 USAAF personnel in late 1944 according to official records.
SPOTTERS NOTES
In the mid 1970s it appears that two powered aircraft were based here: The SF-25 Motorfalke G-AVBK and Slingsby T.61 Falke G-AYUN. Both types having close associations with gliding activity of course
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
