RAF Docking

RAF Docking
Norwich, Norfolk in England
RAF Docking is located in Norfolk
RAF Docking
RAF Docking
Shown within Norfolk
Coordinates52°55′17″N 000°39′39″E / 52.92139°N 0.66083°E / 52.92139; 0.66083
TypeSatellite Station[1]
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byRAF Coastal Command
* No. 16 Group RAF[1]
Site history
Built1939 (1939)/40
In useJuly 1940-1958 (1958)
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
Cold War
Airfield information
Elevation64 metres (210 ft)[1] AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
00/00  Grass
00/00  Grass
00/00  Grass

Royal Air Force Docking or more simply RAF Docking is a former Royal Air Force satellite station a few miles from Bircham Newton in Norfolk, England.

History

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It was a satellite airfield for the RAF Coastal Command station at RAF Bircham Newton and was mostly used for overflow from there.

A grass airfield, with eight blister hangars and one A1 hangar, was laid out soon after the outbreak of war and the first squadron to operate from there was No. 235 Squadron RAF using Bristol Blenheims for convoy escort and anti-shipping operations in the North Sea. These were then replaced by the Lockheed Hudson.

A meteorological observation unit No. 405 Flight of Bomber Command was set up as part of the effort to gain important weather information. When Coastal Command took over all the meteorological units this became No. 1401 (Met) Flight and received a greater variety of aircraft. As well as Blenheims it operated Spitfires, Gloster Gladiator biplanes and Hawker Hurricanes. These aircraft were all used to take measurements of temperature and humidity; from 40,000 ft downwards in precise areas. In August 1942 the Flight was made into a Squadron – No. 521 – with Hudsons, Handley Page Hampdens, de Havilland Mosquitos and Lockheed Venturas. The squadron's Mosquitos would operate deep into occupied Europe to take measurements over target areas; known as "PAMPA". In 1944 the squadron moved to the other satellite for Bircham Newton, RAF Langham

Posted units

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The following squadrons were here at some point:[2]

Units

Current use

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The site has reverted to farmland.[2]

See also

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References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c Falconer 2012, p. 81.
  2. ^ a b "Docking". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 138.
  4. ^ a b Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 129.
  5. ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 145.
  6. ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 61.
  7. ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 308.

Bibliography

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  • Falconer, J. (2012). RAF Airfields of World War 2. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-349-5.
  • Norfolk Airfields in the Second World War Graham Smith, Countryside Books, 1997.
  • Sturtivant, R.; Hamlin, J.; Halley, J. (1997). Royal Air Force flying training and support units. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-252-1.
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