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RAF Usworth
Royal Air Force Sunderland or RAF Sunderland is a former Royal Air Force station in Sunderland. In 1958 the station was closed and the airfield became Sunderland Airport. Following the closure of the airport in 1984, the site has since been redeveloped as a manufacturing facility for Nissan cars – Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK, and as the location of an aviation museum, the North East Land, Sea and Air Museums (NELSAM).
In October 1916, the airfield that subsequently became Sunderland Airport started as a Flight Station for 'B' Flight of No. 36 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), and was originally called Hylton (after nearby Hylton Castle), although when being prepared it was known as West Town Moor. Due to an increase in German bombing raids and the heavier commitment of Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) aircraft in France, the Royal Flying Corps was given the task of Home Defence, setting up a number of squadrons, with flights spread over the length of the British coastline.
The coast in North East England between Whitby and Newcastle was protected by No. 36 (Home Defence) Squadron, equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2C and Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12. On 1 February 1916, the squadron was formed at Cramlington, outside Newcastle, commanded by Captain R. O. Abercromby. In addition to the main aerodrome, flights were detached to Seaton Carew and Ashington as well as Hylton.
An area of land just north of the River Wear between Washington and Sunderland was set aside for the new landing field.
36 squadron was tasked with the defence of the coast between Whitby and Newcastle. On 27 November 1916, a patrol of B.E.2cs flying from Seaton Carew intercepted two groups of Zeppelin airships over the North East coast. Lieutenant I.V. Pyrott destroyed LZ34 that crashed into the mouth of the Tees; the sight of this caused the other airships to turn back. The only other action that the squadron was involved in was the unsuccessful attack on Zeppelin L42 over Hartlepool on New Year's Day 1918.
After the end of the First World War, the area around Usworth was returned to non-flying use. In the manner of many First World War aerodromes, Usworth languished unused for over a decade, apart from at least one visit by Alan Cobham's Flying Circus, until being re-activated on 17 March 1930.
The newly re-opened airfield was sited alongside the B1289 road between Washington and Sunderland, with the flying field to the south of the road. The South Camp also housed the Squadron Office, pilots huts, armoury, photographic hut, bombing training aids, and the firing butts alongside the railway. The airfield had been designed to accommodate one squadron of the recently expanded Auxiliary Air Force. This was to be No.607 (County of Durham) Bomber Squadron. It was initially proposed to erect canvas-covered Bessonneau hangars at the South Camp, but these were rejected in favour of the erection of one large Lamella hangar. North Camp was provided with living quarters and dining facilities for Officers, NCOs and airmen.
In September 1932, the airfield was ready to receive personnel under the command of Leslie Runciman, later Viscount Runciman. The Auxiliary pilots and groundcrew of No 607 squadron came from all walks of life locally and were trained by a nucleus of regular RAF personnel, including 2 Qualified Flying Instructors. The following month the first aircraft, a de Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth and two Avro 504N trainers, arrived for flying training to commence. In December 1932, the first operational equipment for the squadron, the Westland Wapiti day bomber, arrived. Evenings and weekends were busy when the part-time airmen turned out for training. Training continued in earnest, and in June 1934 the squadron proudly flew nine of its Wapiti aircraft in formation past its first Honorary Air Commodore, the Marquis of Londonderry.
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RAF Usworth
Royal Air Force Sunderland or RAF Sunderland is a former Royal Air Force station in Sunderland. In 1958 the station was closed and the airfield became Sunderland Airport. Following the closure of the airport in 1984, the site has since been redeveloped as a manufacturing facility for Nissan cars – Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK, and as the location of an aviation museum, the North East Land, Sea and Air Museums (NELSAM).
In October 1916, the airfield that subsequently became Sunderland Airport started as a Flight Station for 'B' Flight of No. 36 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), and was originally called Hylton (after nearby Hylton Castle), although when being prepared it was known as West Town Moor. Due to an increase in German bombing raids and the heavier commitment of Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) aircraft in France, the Royal Flying Corps was given the task of Home Defence, setting up a number of squadrons, with flights spread over the length of the British coastline.
The coast in North East England between Whitby and Newcastle was protected by No. 36 (Home Defence) Squadron, equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2C and Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12. On 1 February 1916, the squadron was formed at Cramlington, outside Newcastle, commanded by Captain R. O. Abercromby. In addition to the main aerodrome, flights were detached to Seaton Carew and Ashington as well as Hylton.
An area of land just north of the River Wear between Washington and Sunderland was set aside for the new landing field.
36 squadron was tasked with the defence of the coast between Whitby and Newcastle. On 27 November 1916, a patrol of B.E.2cs flying from Seaton Carew intercepted two groups of Zeppelin airships over the North East coast. Lieutenant I.V. Pyrott destroyed LZ34 that crashed into the mouth of the Tees; the sight of this caused the other airships to turn back. The only other action that the squadron was involved in was the unsuccessful attack on Zeppelin L42 over Hartlepool on New Year's Day 1918.
After the end of the First World War, the area around Usworth was returned to non-flying use. In the manner of many First World War aerodromes, Usworth languished unused for over a decade, apart from at least one visit by Alan Cobham's Flying Circus, until being re-activated on 17 March 1930.
The newly re-opened airfield was sited alongside the B1289 road between Washington and Sunderland, with the flying field to the south of the road. The South Camp also housed the Squadron Office, pilots huts, armoury, photographic hut, bombing training aids, and the firing butts alongside the railway. The airfield had been designed to accommodate one squadron of the recently expanded Auxiliary Air Force. This was to be No.607 (County of Durham) Bomber Squadron. It was initially proposed to erect canvas-covered Bessonneau hangars at the South Camp, but these were rejected in favour of the erection of one large Lamella hangar. North Camp was provided with living quarters and dining facilities for Officers, NCOs and airmen.
In September 1932, the airfield was ready to receive personnel under the command of Leslie Runciman, later Viscount Runciman. The Auxiliary pilots and groundcrew of No 607 squadron came from all walks of life locally and were trained by a nucleus of regular RAF personnel, including 2 Qualified Flying Instructors. The following month the first aircraft, a de Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth and two Avro 504N trainers, arrived for flying training to commence. In December 1932, the first operational equipment for the squadron, the Westland Wapiti day bomber, arrived. Evenings and weekends were busy when the part-time airmen turned out for training. Training continued in earnest, and in June 1934 the squadron proudly flew nine of its Wapiti aircraft in formation past its first Honorary Air Commodore, the Marquis of Londonderry.