- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Messages
- 5,650
- Reaction score
- 11,337
1. The History
RAF Newton, 7 miles east of Nottingham, was used briefly as a bomber base and then as a flying training school during World War II. It was built in 1939, on the site of a pre-war civil airfield. A year later No 1 Group was assigned to the newly constructed base in June 1940. A month later No. 103 Squadron moved from RAF Honington with their Fairey Battles before changing to the Vickers Wellington in October 1940. Newton became a training base, and between July 1941 and December 1946 No. 16 (Polish) Service Flying Training School provided basic and advanced training for Polish airmen serving with the RAF.
The station became the headquarters of No 12 Group, Fighter Command from 1946 until 1958, when Technical Training Command took over the station for electronic fitters courses. Later the station became the home to both the RAF School of Education when they moved up from RAF Upwood in 1972 and then the RAF Police Training School who moved from RAF Debden in 1974. The station badge featured the Polish Eagle holding a flaming torch along with the motto "Docemus et Discimus" (We teach and we learn). The station also become the home of the newly formed Nottingham University College Air Squadron in 1941, providing newly trained pilots for the RAF until they left in November 1967.
Today the site is a private industrial estate and the buildings are being converted into offices and storage space. The old control tower is being renovated into offices and the grass airfield has been returned to agriculture use. Nottinghamshire Police have used parts of the site for public order, method of entry and police dog training. Also the abandoned houses on the base were used as fil sets for the film "This is England". In terms of future developments, proposals to build a large number of homes on-site are in an advanced stage with at least 550 new homes earmarked for the former base site.
2. The Explore
Easy access to this place and a relaxed mooch. Some of the buildings are sealed tight while many others (especially the former accommodation blocks) are relatively easy to access. Spent a good hour or so wandering around. Ironically as I was heading off the site security pulled up in their car and asked me what I was doing. When I replied "Just taking some pictures" they replied that it was private and photography wasn't allowed. Hence I made my apologies and left in full knowledge that I'd finished anyway!
3. The Pictures
img0430 by HughieDW, on Flickr#
Bit of a mess inside:
img0432 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0435 by HughieDW, on Flickr
An old paint store?
img0438 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0439 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0442 by HughieDW, on Flickr
This bit was sealed up tight:
img0444 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0449 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0453 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0447 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0454 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0455 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0465 by HughieDW, on Flickr
One of the many accommodation blocks:
img0456 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0471 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Old circuit wiring diagram:
img0463 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Evidence of police training in here:
img0457 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0477 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0481 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0487 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Another accommodation block:
img0523 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0488 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0489 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0541 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0531 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0537 by HughieDW, on Flickr
One for the peeling paint fans:
img0543 by HughieDW, on Flickr
A quick peek in a bunker:
img0509 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0513 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0520 by HughieDW, on Flickr
RAF Newton, 7 miles east of Nottingham, was used briefly as a bomber base and then as a flying training school during World War II. It was built in 1939, on the site of a pre-war civil airfield. A year later No 1 Group was assigned to the newly constructed base in June 1940. A month later No. 103 Squadron moved from RAF Honington with their Fairey Battles before changing to the Vickers Wellington in October 1940. Newton became a training base, and between July 1941 and December 1946 No. 16 (Polish) Service Flying Training School provided basic and advanced training for Polish airmen serving with the RAF.
The station became the headquarters of No 12 Group, Fighter Command from 1946 until 1958, when Technical Training Command took over the station for electronic fitters courses. Later the station became the home to both the RAF School of Education when they moved up from RAF Upwood in 1972 and then the RAF Police Training School who moved from RAF Debden in 1974. The station badge featured the Polish Eagle holding a flaming torch along with the motto "Docemus et Discimus" (We teach and we learn). The station also become the home of the newly formed Nottingham University College Air Squadron in 1941, providing newly trained pilots for the RAF until they left in November 1967.
Today the site is a private industrial estate and the buildings are being converted into offices and storage space. The old control tower is being renovated into offices and the grass airfield has been returned to agriculture use. Nottinghamshire Police have used parts of the site for public order, method of entry and police dog training. Also the abandoned houses on the base were used as fil sets for the film "This is England". In terms of future developments, proposals to build a large number of homes on-site are in an advanced stage with at least 550 new homes earmarked for the former base site.
2. The Explore
Easy access to this place and a relaxed mooch. Some of the buildings are sealed tight while many others (especially the former accommodation blocks) are relatively easy to access. Spent a good hour or so wandering around. Ironically as I was heading off the site security pulled up in their car and asked me what I was doing. When I replied "Just taking some pictures" they replied that it was private and photography wasn't allowed. Hence I made my apologies and left in full knowledge that I'd finished anyway!
3. The Pictures
img0430 by HughieDW, on Flickr#Bit of a mess inside:
img0432 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0435 by HughieDW, on FlickrAn old paint store?
img0438 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0439 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0442 by HughieDW, on FlickrThis bit was sealed up tight:
img0444 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0449 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0453 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0447 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0454 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0455 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0465 by HughieDW, on FlickrOne of the many accommodation blocks:
img0456 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0471 by HughieDW, on FlickrOld circuit wiring diagram:
img0463 by HughieDW, on FlickrEvidence of police training in here:
img0457 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0477 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0481 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0487 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnother accommodation block:
img0523 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0488 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0489 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0541 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0531 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0537 by HughieDW, on FlickrOne for the peeling paint fans:
img0543 by HughieDW, on FlickrA quick peek in a bunker:
img0509 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0513 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0520 by HughieDW, on Flickr
