Former RAF Elvington
United Kingdom /
England /
Wheldrake /
World
/ United Kingdom
/ England
/ Wheldrake
World / United Kingdom / England
airport, Second World War 1939-1945, RAF - Royal Air Force, draw only border, closed / former military
RAF Elvington located at Elvington, south east of York in Yorkshire was the only airfield in the United Kingdom used by the remainder of the Free French Forces, flying Handley Page Halifax heavy bombers, during World War II. After the war the 400 acre airfield was extended for use by the United States Air Force but was never used.[1]
The United States Air Force built a new 3,094 m (10,152 ft) runway and a huge 19.8 hectare (49 acre) rectangular hardstanding to turn Elvington into a "Basic Operation Platform" which would have operated as a Strategic Air Command dispersal airfield.[2]
Although the airfield was never used by SAC and was vacated in 1958 it retained its status as an RAF relief landing ground until September 1992.[3]
The airfield is now owned by Elvington Park Ltd. The adjacent buildings and control tower have been restored, and serve as the Yorkshire Air Museum which has many varied and rare aircraft and exhibits, including the only complete Halifax bomber in the world. Once a year Elvington hosts a privately sponsored airshow in the UK, which incorporates modern military aircraft and classic aircraft as well as displays by the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk/
Elvington is also a popular motorsports venue for motorcycle racing and the Auto 66 club.
On 20 September 2006 Elvington Airfield was the location of a serious crash involving the Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond,[4] who thankfully survived and made a recovery
The United States Air Force built a new 3,094 m (10,152 ft) runway and a huge 19.8 hectare (49 acre) rectangular hardstanding to turn Elvington into a "Basic Operation Platform" which would have operated as a Strategic Air Command dispersal airfield.[2]
Although the airfield was never used by SAC and was vacated in 1958 it retained its status as an RAF relief landing ground until September 1992.[3]
The airfield is now owned by Elvington Park Ltd. The adjacent buildings and control tower have been restored, and serve as the Yorkshire Air Museum which has many varied and rare aircraft and exhibits, including the only complete Halifax bomber in the world. Once a year Elvington hosts a privately sponsored airshow in the UK, which incorporates modern military aircraft and classic aircraft as well as displays by the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk/
Elvington is also a popular motorsports venue for motorcycle racing and the Auto 66 club.
On 20 September 2006 Elvington Airfield was the location of a serious crash involving the Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond,[4] who thankfully survived and made a recovery
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Elvington
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 53°55'33"N -0°59'16"E
- Manchester International Airport (IATA: MAN, ICAO: EGCC) 107 km
- RAF Wittering 149 km
- Alconbury Developments Limited (Former RAF Alconbury) 178 km
- Former RAE Bedford /RAF Thurleigh 190 km
- RAF Brize Norton 244 km
- RAF Fairford 254 km
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) 274 km
- Glasgow Prestwick Airport 293 km
- Belfast International Airport 351 km
- Dublin Airport 355 km
- Wheldrake Wood 1.5 km
- The University of York 4.8 km
- Tang Hall 5.8 km
- Wheldrake Ings Nature Reserve 5.9 km
- Allerthorpe Golf Course 12 km
- Former RAF Pocklington 12 km
- Wolds Gliding Club 13 km
- Former RAF Breighton 14 km
- Ash dumps 20 km
- Drax Power Station (coal fired) 21 km
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