Eshott Airfield
Eshott Airfield is a general aviation airfield in the civil parish of Thirston, in the county of Northumberland, England, 20 miles (32 km) north of Newcastle, and midway between Morpeth and Alnwick. It is a former Second World War Royal Air Force (RAF) station and is also known as Bockenfield Aerodrome.
Second World War
From 10 November 1942 Eshott was home to No. 57 Operational Training Unit RAF. Training on Supermarine Spitfires was carried out there along with a satellite airfield at RAF Boulmer between March 1943 and June 1945, until the unit was disbanded on 6 June 1945.
The following units were also here at some point:
- No. 289 Squadron RAF between 18 May and 5 June 1945
- No. 291 Squadron RAF detachment from 1943 to 1945
- No. 2777 Squadron RAF Regiment
- No. 2803 Squadron RAF Regiment
Current use
Eshott, now a civil general aviation field, is used by light aircraft and microlights. It has both tarmac and grass runways.
The airfield is home to more than 40 aircraft and has a clubhouse, parking, and three hangar blocks.
References
Citations
- ^ Smith, Ian (20 February 2024). "New operator to take on Eshott Airfield after sale agreed". Northumberland Gazette. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 204.
- ^ ""No. 57 Operational Training Unit RAF", RAF Fighter Command 1939–1945". Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ^ "Eshott (Felton)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ Jefford 1988, p. 84.
Bibliography
- Jefford, C. G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
- Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912. Tonbridge, UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 978-0851-3036-59.