Sutton Bridge
SUTTON BRIDGE: Military aerodrome later private airfield
Note: This picture (2018) was obtained from Google Earth ©
The outline of the airfield can still be clearly seen, the 'marker' being in the centre. Basically a rectangle with the SE corner 'sawn off'.
Note: These two pictures from postcards were very kindly sent by Mike Charlton who has an amazing collection. See, www.aviationpostcard.co.uk
Military users: In 1926 this site was set up to provide practice for bombing and machine gun practise for the RAF and Royal Navy on the nearby Holbeach Ranges. Which are still in use today.
In 1932 becoming the No.3 Armament Training Camp
Later, in September 2024, Mike Charlton acquired these two pictures on postcards. Presumably taken in 1932?
WW2: RAF Fighter Command
266 (Rhodesia) Sqdn (Fairey Battles later Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
RAF Flying Training Command
AFU (Advanced Flying Unit)
6 & 56 OTU [Operational Training Unit] (Hawker Hurricanes)
Operated by: 1980s: Mr L Walton
Location: S to SW of A17, SSE of Sutton Bridge, 6nm NNE of Wisbech
Period of operation: Military: 1926 to 1958 Civil: 1970s/80s only?
Runways: 1930s: 289 acres
WW2: American steel planking 08/26 1052 grass
Sommerfeld Track 13/31 732 grass
Steel matting NE/SW 1280 grass
NOTES: Something to note here. In WW2 some of the RAF squadrons were known as being manned mostly by pilots from their countries of origin. The American ‘Eagle’ squadrons, Canadian, Czech, New Zealand and Polish squadrons for example. 266 Squadron was ‘gifted’ from the people of Rhodesia as were other examples. In the ‘Battle of Britain’ period (10th July to 31st October) for example only three Rhodesian pilots took part.
A busy aerodrome in late 1944 with 1485 RAF personnel plus 379 WAAFs on Station.
SPOTTERS NOTES
In 1977 it appears only two GA types were based here: Auster J/5G Autocar G-AOIY and Beagle A.61 Terrier G-ASZX.
t watson
This comment was written on: 2019-06-05 23:02:55now gas fired power station, some pirced steel planking was found during leveling of site. Malta veteran, Buz Burling weas stationed there as a instructor at 1 time, memorial to him in Fenland and West Norefolk Aviation Museum.
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