RAF Blidworth

[rockhopper]

I spent the past few days trying to find information about RAF Blidworth with only limited sucess. There is very little on the net about it and what there is tends to be contradictory. Even the exact location has been difficult to pin down. Some reports locate is near to Kighill Woods while other have it over a mile further east

It appears to have been little more than a temporary grass strip that would have been used in emergencies or as an overflow airfield for RAF Hucknel. I can't find any evidence of any brick buildings, hangers or defensive positions.

I've had a couple of afternoons hunting around the in the woods etc and found several buildings which may well have been relalted to what went on there although I'm uncertain if they are in their original positions.

If anyone has any more information I'd love to hear from you.

 

[Foz77]

If you want to try and find out more, try going here : http://www.airfieldinformationexchange.org/community/forumdisplay.php?4-Airfields

There are a lot of ex-RAF types etc there who will probably be able to offer info

 

[hydealfred]

I like those corrugated buildings - must have been very cold during wintertime

 

[oldscrote]

I like those corrugated buildings - must have been very cold during wintertime

Theres certainly more than a whiff of the military about those buildings.Cold nah you'd get your old Tortoise stove glowing red hot, warm as toast old son.

 

[hydealfred]

Theres certainly more than a whiff of the military about those buildings.Cold nah you'd get your old Tortoise stove glowing red hot, warm as toast old son.

Yep I can see it now - red hot stove, huge mugs of tea, snow on the ground, probably a very pleasant place to be on such a day

 

[smileysal]

YAY, someone else who's on the hunt for info regarding RAF Blidworth.

All I've found out so far is, it was a maintenance base from 1942 till 1945. Grass runways. There's quite a few what looks like former military type buildings dotted around that area too. The guy at Longdale Craft Centre said someone had been writing a book about the airfield but no one has heard anymore of that. in the woods around that way, there's a memorial to a polish lancaster that came down. On where'sthepath maps, there's a memorial further to calverton. But the craft centre guy said the memorial is in private woodland sort of opposite the craft centre. we've searched, but can't find it - yet.

Even had a cousin who's in the raf trying to find out anymore info. been doing my head in for years trying to find the exact location of the place. Glad someone else is also trying to find information.

 

[HawkEye001]

Please pop over to the Airfield Information Exchange where you will find alot more information out.

You can find the link back up 4 replies to this thread.

Regards,

HawkEye001

 

[Wallsey]

Have a look at this site. Should give you an aerial view

Wallsey

http://www.content-delivery.co.uk/aviation/airfields/Blidworth.html

 

[rockhopper]

There is one thread that i can find on the airfield information exchange site and that from someone asking for more information about Blidworth!!
Hawkeye, are there other threads i have missed?

 

[nij4829]

YAY, someone else who's on the hunt for info regarding RAF Blidworth.

All I've found out so far is, it was a maintenance base from 1942 till 1945. Grass runways. There's quite a few what looks like former military type buildings dotted around that area too. The guy at Longdale Craft Centre said someone had been writing a book about the airfield but no one has heard anymore of that. in the woods around that way, there's a memorial to a polish lancaster that came down. On where'sthepath maps, there's a memorial further to calverton. But the craft centre guy said the memorial is in private woodland sort of opposite the craft centre. we've searched, but can't find it - yet.

Even had a cousin who's in the raf trying to find out anymore info. been doing my head in for years trying to find the exact location of the place. Glad someone else is also trying to find information.

I do believe I know a old boy who knows

I was chatting to a guy at my last delivery point (Hucknall) on wednesday - although he was more interested in telling me about the old rail tunnels, he did give me some brief info and promised to draw me a map
Did you know RAF Hucknall had a captured luftwaffe pilot but he escaped (a long story again he has promised to write down for me)

 

[smileysal]

Ooooooooooooh yes please mate, If he has any information at all about RAF Blidworth. I know it had grass runways, and was a maintenance base. Still trying to find out who the man is who was writing a book about RAF Blidworth, complete with pics but still haven't found out any information.

Would love to finally see a map of the site.

 

[rockhopper]

There is a brief mention about Blidworth in a book i was looking at in WH Smiths, might have been Airfields Of Nottinghamshire.

Re Hucknall and the German pilot, go and buy the film "The One That Got Away" with Hardy Kruger which tells you all about it.

[ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-That-Got-Away-DVD/dp/B000EWOO3S/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1285964471&sr=8-5[/ame]

 

[tigger2]

Would love to finally see a map of the site.

Not at home to check but think there was some info, including a site plan, about No.35 SLG in Airfield Review a while back as part of a series about the SLGs

 

[HawkEye001]

Can you remember which airfield review it was because i have them all at my house, several copies of each.

 

[hydealfred]

Can you remember which airfield review it was because i have them all at my house, several copies of each.

Hi Hawkeye

Nice to see you over here on DP

 

[rockhopper]

I'll pop into town today and have another look.

 

[tigger2]

Can you remember which airfield review it was because i have them all at my house, several copies of each.

Around issue 95?

 

[HawkEye001]

Ok will have a look for you mate.

 

[nij4829]

Ooooooooooooh yes please mate, If he has any information at all about RAF Blidworth. I know it had grass runways, and was a maintenance base. Still trying to find out who the man is who was writing a book about RAF Blidworth, complete with pics but still haven't found out any information.

Would love to finally see a map of the site.

he is gonna get it done for me for next monday

 

[HawkEye001]

Blidworth No 35 SLG

This seems to be a strange site to select for an airstrip and the temporary storage of aircraft since it is a rather hilly area. However, the plan was to store "fighter" aircraft and a 1,000 yard grass strip was prepared, the SLG opening on the 1st August 1941 for No51 MU (Lichfield).

The ground had been mentioned as "swampy" and the airstrip ran east-west alongside a track on top of a ridge with aircraft presumably towed along another track to a storage area within the trees as indicated on the plan. It is hard to imagine provision for 52 aircraft stored in this area!

Recorded as closing in September 1942, but according to Action Stations 2, Westland Wirlwinds were present in 1942/43 and Lockheed Lightnings in 1944. Both of these aircraft were powerful twin engined fighters requiring quite a good run. The few Lightnings which did arrive in Britain did not see squadron service and after testing were quickly passed on to the USAAF and it is doubtful they were stored at Blidworth.

Research: Barry Abraham
Plan Research: Ron Blake

Enjoy and i hope this helps.

Regards,

HawkEye001