RAF Woolfox Lodge

RAF Woolfox Lodge
Pickworth in England
RAF Woolfox Lodge
Shown within Rutland
Coordinates 52°42′34″N 000°34′33″W / 52.70944°N 0.57583°W / 52.70944; -0.57583Coordinates: 52°42′34″N 000°34′33″W / 52.70944°N 0.57583°W / 52.70944; -0.57583
Type Royal Air Force station
Site information
Owner Ministry of Defence
Operator Royal Air Force
Site history
Built 1940 (1940)
In use 1940-1965 (1965)
Airfield information
Elevation 10 metres (33 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
00/00  Concrete
00/00  Concrete
00/00  Concrete

Royal Air Force Woolfox Lodge or more simply RAF Woolfox Lodge is a former Royal Air Force station next to the A1 road in Rutland, UK. The airfield is split between the parishes of Empingham and Greetham. It was open from 1940 until 1965.

History

Woolfox opened as a reserve landing ground for RAF Cottesmore then became a satellite to RAF North Luffenham in October 1941. Full station status was granted from June 1943. The wartime airfield comprised three tarmac runways and one Type B1 and four T2 aircraft hangars. There was temporary accommodation for 1,149 male and 252 female personnel.

RAF Woolfox Lodge was used in later years as a relief landing ground but the runways deteriorated to such a degree that the airfield had to be closed to flying by spring 1954. In 1960 a Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air missile site under No. 62 Squadron RAF was positioned in a secure area adjacent to the A1 road near the former technical site.

RAF units and aircraft

[1]

Unit Dates Aircraft Variant Notes
No. 61 Squadron RAF 1941-1942 Avro Manchester
Avro Lancaster		 Lancaster from April 1942
No. 62 Squadron RAF 1960-1964 Bristol Bloodhound I
No. 218 Squadron RAF 1944 Short Stirling III
No. 1651 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF 1945 Avro Lancaster

Current use

The site is now used for agriculture and employment purposes.[2]

The Cold War era Bloodhound missile site, while derelict is surprisingly well preserved. Hardstandings for 32 Bloodhound missiles are still present. During the summer of 2018 the parch marks of various World War II era buildings became visible on the former technical site within the boundaries of the missile site.

References

  1. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 158.
  2. ↑ "WOOLFOX LODGE". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2014.

Bibliography

  • Jefford MBE, Wg Cdr C G (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.

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