Elvington Airfield
Located 7 miles south east of York on the B1228, Elvington was built as a grass airfield in 1940 as part of 4 Group Bomber Command. Almost as immediately as it was completed it was decided to rebuild the airfield with runways, eventually opening in 1942. 77 Squadron were the first occupants, initially with Whitleys before re-equipping with Halifax's. In May 1944, 77 Squadron moved to Full Sutton making way for the Free French Air Force. 346 (Guyenne) Squadron, FAF were soon joined by 347 (Tunisie) Squadron, FAF. Following the cessation of hostilities, the French returned th France and the airfield was placed on Care and Maintenance.
In 1953, the US Air Force moved into Elvington and totally rebuilt the airfield for the third time. Earmarked for the bombers of SAC, a new 9,800 foot runway, massive apron and modern ATC tower were built costing £724,000. The change of policy favouring ICBM's to bombers meant that Elvington's new facilities were vacated by the USAF before any aircraft were actually based there.
In the 1960's, RAF Church Fenton and RAF Linton-on-Ouse used the airfield as an RLG and ELG right up until the early 1990's. Today, the remaining wartime airfield buildings have been renovated to their former glory and house the superb Yorkshire Air Museum. The airfield itself has been the location for the hugely successful Yorkshire Air Spectacular series of airshows, but has recently been disposed of by the MOD.
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