- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Messages
- 5,663
- Reaction score
- 11,358
1. The History
RAF North Witham is a former World War II airfield in Lincolnshire, England. The airfield is located in Twyford Wood, off the A1 between Stamford and Grantham. It opened in 1943 and was used by both the RAF and US Army Air Forces. During the war it was used primarily as a transport airfield. It was allocated to the USAAF Troop Carrier Command in August 1943. Its immediate task was to distribute transport aircraft and the means of maintaining them to operational groups of the USAAF. USAAF C-47 maintenance repair activities continued at North Witham until May 1945, albeit on a reducing scale.
After the war it was closed in late 1945. The site was originally partially wooded and some of this remained to the northeast of the runways throughout the military period but after closure, the Forestry Commission planted most of the airfield with oak (Quercus robur) and conifers. Part of it is now a reserve for butterflies and the concrete is slowly being broken up and removed. Ghostly outlines of large numbers of loop dispersal hardstands can be seen in aerial photography, with the perimeter track being reduced to a single lane road.
2. The Explore
Been meaning to come here for ages. There’s not a whole lot left beyond the runways but the area has now been returned to woodland and it makes for a nice walk. The main reason for a look-see is the watch office which remains in good nick. It’s a fair walk but worth the effort. There’s also an old water tower but didn’t get the chance to look at it this time around.
3. The Pictures
Looking along the south-west runway:
img7789 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Bomb-loading ramp:
img7791 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And on to the watch-tower:
img7794 by HughieDW, on Flickr
No way in here:
img7795 by HughieDW, on Flickr
So round the back:
img7796 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And we’re in!
img7798 by HughieDW, on Flickr
A few pieces of decent graff:
img7799 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And up the stairs:
img7800 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Internal walls have been knocked down:
img7801 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7804 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7805 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Out on to the balcony:
img7807 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7809 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7811 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7816 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7818 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7819 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7822 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Looking along the North-South runway:
img7823 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7824 by HughieDW, on Flickr
RAF North Witham is a former World War II airfield in Lincolnshire, England. The airfield is located in Twyford Wood, off the A1 between Stamford and Grantham. It opened in 1943 and was used by both the RAF and US Army Air Forces. During the war it was used primarily as a transport airfield. It was allocated to the USAAF Troop Carrier Command in August 1943. Its immediate task was to distribute transport aircraft and the means of maintaining them to operational groups of the USAAF. USAAF C-47 maintenance repair activities continued at North Witham until May 1945, albeit on a reducing scale.
After the war it was closed in late 1945. The site was originally partially wooded and some of this remained to the northeast of the runways throughout the military period but after closure, the Forestry Commission planted most of the airfield with oak (Quercus robur) and conifers. Part of it is now a reserve for butterflies and the concrete is slowly being broken up and removed. Ghostly outlines of large numbers of loop dispersal hardstands can be seen in aerial photography, with the perimeter track being reduced to a single lane road.
2. The Explore
Been meaning to come here for ages. There’s not a whole lot left beyond the runways but the area has now been returned to woodland and it makes for a nice walk. The main reason for a look-see is the watch office which remains in good nick. It’s a fair walk but worth the effort. There’s also an old water tower but didn’t get the chance to look at it this time around.
3. The Pictures
Looking along the south-west runway:
img7789 by HughieDW, on FlickrBomb-loading ramp:
img7791 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd on to the watch-tower:
img7794 by HughieDW, on FlickrNo way in here:
img7795 by HughieDW, on FlickrSo round the back:
img7796 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd we’re in!
img7798 by HughieDW, on FlickrA few pieces of decent graff:
img7799 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd up the stairs:
img7800 by HughieDW, on FlickrInternal walls have been knocked down:
img7801 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7804 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7805 by HughieDW, on FlickrOut on to the balcony:
img7807 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7809 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7811 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7816 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7818 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7819 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7822 by HughieDW, on FlickrLooking along the North-South runway:
img7823 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7824 by HughieDW, on Flickr
