RAF Stanton Harcourt

cardiffrail · May 28, 2007

Stanton Harcourt airfield was a Second War airfield closed shortly after the war. Nowadays only some of the buildings at the northern end remain, two hangars remain within an industrial estate and a number of smaller buildings, such as stores, shelters.

The runways have been dug up and the 'airside' area is now a flooded former gravel pit.

The following information from http://www.pixture.co.uk/Airfields/Pages/Stanton Harcourt.htm

Flying commenced on 3rd sep 1940 with 10 OTU.

Whitleys & Halifax's were the main aircraft operating from the airfield.

Early use by Whitleys for night flying training.

Halifaxes from 35 & 76 Sqn's mounted attack on Scharnhorst (La Pallice raid) from here.

Winston Churchill flew to the Casablanca Conference on 13 Jan 1943 from this airield in Liberator AL504 (Operation 'Static').

Station was also used for gunnery training.

1501 BAT Flt Oxfords use airfield from Apr - Dec 1944.

Airfield closed 15 Jan 1946.

My photos:

Foxylady · May 28, 2007

Enjoyed your report and pics, CR.
Thanks too for the link to the Oxfordshire Airfields website. Some interesting info and stories on there (loved the story of the two old ladies who met up for the first time after working there together fifty years before).
Pity the control tower's gone, but good to see the water tower still intact and many of the huts.

Cheers
Foxy

Foxylady · May 29, 2007

Just been looking on WW2 Airfields site (link below) for a few more pics. There's one of a bicycle stand which turned out to be just a piece of concrete with grooves in it, which I thought was quite funny.

http://worldwar2airfields.fotopic.net/c497824.html

Cheers
Foxy