Monument record 5391 - Collyweston Airfield

Originally established in WWI and known as Easton becoming known as Collyweston by 1918. A military airfield opened in 1940. During World War Two it was a fighter base used by British, Empire and American units including 266 (Rhodesian) Squadron, 32 Squadron, 23 Squadron, 133 Eagle Squadron ( later USAAF 4 Fighter Group), 1529 Blind Approach Training Flight, 288 Squadron, Gunnery Research Unit and also 1726 Enemy Aircraft Flight (examining Axis aircraft). The Airfield became part of RAF Wittering (HER no 8678) and is now used for training on Harrier jet aircraft. The wartime airfield had grass landing surfaces and 4 Blister aircraft hangars by 1944. Wartime construction methods typically involved the use of "temporary materials" for many building types.

{1} Collyweston airfield, 3 Km SW of Stamford. During World War Two it was a fighter base used by British, Empire and American units including 266 (Rhodesian) Squadron, 32 Squadron, 23 Squadron, 133 Eagle Squadron (later USAAF 4 Fighter Group), 1529 Blind Approach Training Flight, 288 Squadron, Gunnery Research Unit and also 1726 Enemy Aircraft Flight (examining Axis aircraft). The Airfield became part of RAF Wittering and is now used for training on Harrier jet aircraft.

{2} Collyweston airfield, TF 015 023. Opened in 1940, in 1985 still used by the RAF. The wartime airfield had grass landing surfaces and 4 Blister aircraft hangars by 1944. The source includes a basic map of Collyweston before amalgamation with Wittering. The latter is also covered, on p 217 of the Willis and Holliss gazetteer.

{3} Collyweston airfield is depicted on the 1981 map as forming the westernmost part of Wittering Airfield. The Collyweston end as depicted in this edition is centered at TF 014 022.

{4} An airfield was established at Easton-on-the-Hill during the First World War in 1917 for training purposes. No.5 Training Depot Station (part of 35th Wing) was formed there on 24 September 1917 and various aircraft were flown including Avro 504s, DH6s, RE8s and Camels. The airfield continued as a training site with the formation of No. 5 Training Squadron until March 1919 when the squadron was disbanded and the site abandoned.

The source also contains information on the Second World War airfield that was established in 1939/40.

{5}WWI - Airfield known as Easton.
WWII - Expands slightly, boundaries move slightly, becomes known as Collyweston
1945 - Becomes part of Wittering airfield (in Peterborough, Cambs) and remains so to this day.

{6} Airfield prepared during the winter of 1939-40 (but see {7} below for previous WWI operation) and originally known as Easton. Initially RAF fighter and night-fighter use but this subsequently broadened and included the exotic 1426 Enemy Aircraft Flight (flying captured enemy aircraft) whose aircraft remained until January 1945. The Gunnery Research Unit was present from April 1944 to March 1945. Collyweston was transferred to 21 Group, FTC in April 1945 and "resumed its old role of satellite to Wittering. Later that year it was integrated into that station's landing ground and remains within its confines".

{7} Plan of the airfield and in 1918, list of resident flying nits and aerial photo in May 1947 on p248-9. Elevation 282ft amsl.Grass surfaced airfield known as Easton-on-the-Hill 1917-19. Then occupied by 5TDS, later 5TS. Airfield (map on p248) comprised hangars and workshops with adjacent administration and living quarters all located immediately south of Vigo Wood. This site subsequently subsumed within the WWII airfield. Extent, location and condition of wartime airfield remains (if any) - undetermined.

{8} Wittering in use by RFC from Dec 1916 as a base for air defence of eastern England against German airships & Zeppelins. During 1917 Wittering became home for No 1 Training Depot Station (TDS). This followed by No 5 TDS being formed at the nearby site of Easton on the Hill. “During the war, about 200-300 German prisoners of war were held here and used in the construction of a narrow-gauge railway between the two airfields which was used to transport building materials for a permanent camp at Easton.”
On 1 April 1918, the RAF came into being and both sites adopted new names. Stamford became Wittering on 10 April 1918, and Easton-on-the-Hill changed to Collyweston. “After the war, Collyweston continued as a flying training unit, unlike Wittering which became a storage depot during 1919, and placed into Care and Maintenance in January 1920.” Much infrastructure dismantled and station dormant for 4 years until an expansion of Home Defence forces in the S of England subsequently saw the station back in use.
WW2; Collyweston a satellite for Wittering. Collyweston received Spitfires of No 266 Squadron. “During 1943 it was decided to join Wittering to Collyweston. This was achieved by removing several hedges and lines of trees and filling in ditches.The ultimate result was a smooth grass sward stretching some 3 miles in length from its eastern boundary with the Great North Road (now the A1) and Collyweston. This immediately proved a great asset, particularly in the recovery of ‘lame duck’ bomber aircraft returning from raids…With the war ended, and jet aircraft certain to need long runways, Wittering and Collyweston were officially combined and during 1945-46 a long grass runway, some 2 miles long, was built.”

<1> Feise, T, 1999-2003, Bases of the 8th and 9th USAAF in the UK, accessed 04-FEB-2004 (Website). SNN113473.

<2> Willis, S. and Holliss, B., 1987, Military airfields in the British Isles 1939-1945, p. 52, 217 (Book). SNN111556.

<3> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), 1:10000, 1981 (Map). SNN112944.

<4> Delve, K, 2007, The Military Airfields of Britain. Wales and West Midlands: Cheshire, Hereford and Worcester, Northamptonshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Wales, p. 81-3 (Book). SNN112162.

<5> Cadman G., 2014, 20th Century Military Archaeology in Northamptonshire: Logs 1, 2 & 3, v.9 p.8 (unchecked) (Report). SNN104868.

<6> Bowyer M.J.F., 1990, Action Stations 6: Military Airfields of The Cotswolds and The Central Midlands, (unchecked) (Book). SNN39505.

<7> Gibson M.L., 1982, Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History, p.248-9 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100276.

<8> Royal Air Force, Royal Air Force web site, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN104629.

<9> GOODWIN J.M., 1991, Easton on the Hill, 112-6 (PHOTO & PLAN 128) (Book). SNN40036.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 6:24PM