1. The History
Gamston was originally an RAF aerodrome with 3 runways in a triangular configuration (as mentioned above one of which only one remains in common usage). It came into service in December 1942 as part of the RAF Training Command as well as being a 'satellite' to RAF Ossington. In May 1943 the field was transferred to 93 Group, Bomber Command Training. In June later in the year No. 82 Operational Training Unit arrived with Wellington Mk. III and Mk. X bombers and Hawker Hurricanes. A year later the unit became No. 86 Operational Training Unit with a new role; night training for Wellington bomber crews.
By October 1944, Gamston was transferred to No. 7 Group, Bomber Command. A month later No. 3 Aircrew School transferred from RAF Shepherds Grove. The end of the war saw the disbanding of No. 3 Aircrew School and the arrival of No. 30 Operational Training Unit transferred from Hixon, Staffordshire with more Wellington bombers. After the end of World War II all training ceased and the airport was closed.
In May 1953 the airport was reopened as a satellite for nearby RAF Worksop and 211 Advanced Flying School was based there, flying Gloster Meteors and de Havilland Vampires. The airport is today owned and operated by Gamston Aviation Limited which purchased the operation in July 1993.
2. The Explore
Have past this place so many times while driving the A1. Have had a mooch round it before but there were a few outlying bits I didn’t see in the past so thought a bit of a revisit was in order. It’s not a spectacular site by any means but enough to merit an hour or so of your time. The main buildings to look round are the Airfield & Technical Site part of the old RAF Gamston WW2 aerodrome. They are sandwiched in-between the A1 and an industrial park. The aerodrome itself is still open and is further to the east. Easy access to this place. The watch tower is out of bounds as it has no been converted to residential usage.
3. The Pictures
The bit I didn’t see last time first. A couple of the outlying buildings:
img9798 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9801 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9803 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Further round is the former WW2 rifle range:
img9805 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9806 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9809 by HughieDW, on Flickr
A couple of nearby huts:
img9811 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And back round to the main site:
img3503 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Airfield & Technical Site: Bdg No. 64, Surface Air Raid Shelter:
img3510 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3514 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Airfield & Technical Site: Bdg No. 84;
img3519v by HughieDW, on Flickr
Airfield & Technical Site: Bdg No. 16, Squadron Office:
img3505 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3721 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3521 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Unknown buildings:
img3520 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3511 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3700bw by HughieDW, on Flickr
The potato store?
img3695bw by HughieDW, on Flickr
Rusting old van:
img3712 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Rusting farm machinery porn:
img3509 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3716 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Gamston was originally an RAF aerodrome with 3 runways in a triangular configuration (as mentioned above one of which only one remains in common usage). It came into service in December 1942 as part of the RAF Training Command as well as being a 'satellite' to RAF Ossington. In May 1943 the field was transferred to 93 Group, Bomber Command Training. In June later in the year No. 82 Operational Training Unit arrived with Wellington Mk. III and Mk. X bombers and Hawker Hurricanes. A year later the unit became No. 86 Operational Training Unit with a new role; night training for Wellington bomber crews.
By October 1944, Gamston was transferred to No. 7 Group, Bomber Command. A month later No. 3 Aircrew School transferred from RAF Shepherds Grove. The end of the war saw the disbanding of No. 3 Aircrew School and the arrival of No. 30 Operational Training Unit transferred from Hixon, Staffordshire with more Wellington bombers. After the end of World War II all training ceased and the airport was closed.
In May 1953 the airport was reopened as a satellite for nearby RAF Worksop and 211 Advanced Flying School was based there, flying Gloster Meteors and de Havilland Vampires. The airport is today owned and operated by Gamston Aviation Limited which purchased the operation in July 1993.
2. The Explore
Have past this place so many times while driving the A1. Have had a mooch round it before but there were a few outlying bits I didn’t see in the past so thought a bit of a revisit was in order. It’s not a spectacular site by any means but enough to merit an hour or so of your time. The main buildings to look round are the Airfield & Technical Site part of the old RAF Gamston WW2 aerodrome. They are sandwiched in-between the A1 and an industrial park. The aerodrome itself is still open and is further to the east. Easy access to this place. The watch tower is out of bounds as it has no been converted to residential usage.
3. The Pictures
The bit I didn’t see last time first. A couple of the outlying buildings:
Further round is the former WW2 rifle range:
A couple of nearby huts:
And back round to the main site:
Airfield & Technical Site: Bdg No. 64, Surface Air Raid Shelter:
Airfield & Technical Site: Bdg No. 84;
Airfield & Technical Site: Bdg No. 16, Squadron Office:
Unknown buildings:
The potato store?
Rusting old van:
Rusting farm machinery porn:
