Former RAF Atcham

 Second World War 1939-1945, RAF - Royal Air Force, draw only border, closed / former military, historical layer / disappeared object

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RAF Atcham is a former World War II airfield in England, and was opened in 1941 and was initially used by the Royal Air Force 74 Sqn, 131 Sqn, 232 Sqn and 350 Sqn.

Atcham was transferred to the United States Army Air Force Eighth Air Force on 15 June 1942. It was designated as Station 342 (AP). Located some distance away from the other Eighth AF bases in East Anglia, at first Atcham was used as an operational fighter base, however beginning late 1942 it's primary use became operational training of fighter pilots for both Eighth and Ninth Air Force units.

31st Fighter Group

The group arrived without assigned aircraft as its P-39s were found unsuitable for long-distance formation ferry flights. Provided with British Supermarine Spitfire Vbs by the RAF

14th Fighter Group

Equipped with Lockheed P-38 Lightnings, the 14th escorted B-17 and B-24 bombers to targets in France.

1st Provisional Gunnery Flight

From 2 January until 3 March 1943 the 1st Provisional Gunnery Flight used Atcham for target towing using Westland Lysander and Miles Masters.

495th Fighter Training Group

flying Spitfires and Bell P-39 Airacobras, these being replaced with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts.

Atcham was returned to the RAF on 14 March 1945 becoming a satellite of RAF Ternhill in Flying Training Command. No. 5 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit and No. 6 Service Flying Training School. 577 Sqn target towing with Oxford, Spitfire and Vengeance used the airfield until the end of the war.

Atcham was abandoned on 22 October 1946 and disposed of on 20 January 1958. Over the years the airfield was returned to farmland with the runways being broken up and removed and the control tower demolished.

However the three T-2 hangars remain together with all the administration buildings. the whole complex forming the Atcham Industrial Estate.