RAF Rufforth is situated 4 miles west of York. It was a purpose built bomber airfield built to Class A specification, Rufforth was constructed during 1941 and opened on the 10th June 1942.
The first operational squadron to arrive was 158 Squadron, who transfered from East Moor.No. 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit was formed at Rufforth in March 1943 and tutored Halifax crews until disbanded in late May 1945.
In the early post-war years, Rufforth was retained by the RAF for use as a gliding school and by other minor units. A motor racing track was buit on the site opening for racing on the 28th March 1959. It closed in 1977. Rufforth was used by No. 60 Maintenance Unit for storage before the RAF finally departed in November 1974 and the airfield was sold in July 1981.
Today the site is used for gliding and microlights and for aggriculture. The control tower and a few bulidings survive having been used in the TV drama series Airline during the early 80's (Hence the stange paintwork) It is also used for airshows and regular sunday car boot sales on what used to be the domestic site just down the road.
They like to let you know its an active airfield, dispite it having no fence!
Main runway and being buzzed by a motorised glider
One of the resident aircraft
WW2 Buildings still extant
Control Tower (Used as a builders yard) Interesting type!
Fire Station?
Communications Centre
Air Raid Shelter
Re-clad T2 Hanger used by a transport company next door
The first operational squadron to arrive was 158 Squadron, who transfered from East Moor.No. 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit was formed at Rufforth in March 1943 and tutored Halifax crews until disbanded in late May 1945.
In the early post-war years, Rufforth was retained by the RAF for use as a gliding school and by other minor units. A motor racing track was buit on the site opening for racing on the 28th March 1959. It closed in 1977. Rufforth was used by No. 60 Maintenance Unit for storage before the RAF finally departed in November 1974 and the airfield was sold in July 1981.
Today the site is used for gliding and microlights and for aggriculture. The control tower and a few bulidings survive having been used in the TV drama series Airline during the early 80's (Hence the stange paintwork) It is also used for airshows and regular sunday car boot sales on what used to be the domestic site just down the road.
They like to let you know its an active airfield, dispite it having no fence!
Main runway and being buzzed by a motorised glider
One of the resident aircraft
WW2 Buildings still extant
Control Tower (Used as a builders yard) Interesting type!
Fire Station?
Communications Centre
Air Raid Shelter
Re-clad T2 Hanger used by a transport company next door
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