Royal Air Force Station Wombleton or RAF Wombleton is a former Royal Air Force station located 3.8 miles (6.1 km) east of Helmsley, North Yorkshire and 11.8 miles (19 km) north east of Easingwold, North Yorkshire, England.
RAF Wombleton ![]() | |||||||||||||||||||
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![]() Memorial to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Inscription reads: "This memorial is dedicated to the Canadians of No.6 (RCAF) Group of RAF Bomber Command and to the men and women of the RAF and WAAF who served at Wombleton during the Second World War. The people of Ryedale express their sincere thanks to them for giving their youth and time and, in many instances, their lives. We will remember them. Dedicated 28th May, 2001." | |||||||||||||||||||
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Airport type | Military | ||||||||||||||||||
Owner | Air Ministry | ||||||||||||||||||
Operator | Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force | ||||||||||||||||||
Location | Wombleton | ||||||||||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 118 ft / 36 m | ||||||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 54°13′59″N 000°58′09″W | ||||||||||||||||||
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![]() ![]() RAF Wombleton Location in North Yorkshire | |||||||||||||||||||
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Wombleton opened in 1943 as a sub-station of RAF Topcliffe. It was part of RAF Bomber Command's No. 6 Group RCAF, and along with the main station at Topcliffe and the station at Dishforth, was designated part of No 61 (Training) Base.[1][2] In November 1944, No 61 Base was transferred to No 7 (Training) Group and it was renumbered No 76 Training Base. No 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) was the first unit to move to Wombleton. Aircrew who were originally trained on twin-engined aircraft such as Wellingtons or Whitleys received conversion training on heavy four-engined bombers such as the Halifax or Lancaster.[3] No 1666 HCU remained at Wombleton until the end of the war. The RAF took over the station and stayed for several years with the RAF Regiment using the site as a battle school.[4]
Unit | From | To | Aircraft | Version | Notes |
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No 1666 'Mohawk' HCU | 21 October 1943 | 3 August 1945 | Handley Page Halifax Avro Lancaster | Mks.II, III, V Mks.I, II, III, X | [5] |
No 1679 HCU | 13 December 1943 | 27 January 1944 | Avro Lancaster | Mk.II | [5] |
No. 261 Maintenance Unit RAF | 15 November 1945 | 10 September 1946 | [6] |
Wombleton airport is now used for recreational flying.[7]
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