RAF Coningsby

RAF Coningsby is situated just to the south east of the village of Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Originally a heavy bomber base as part of No 5 Group Bomber Command, Coningsby opened in 1940, and maintained its link with the heavy bomber force until 1964 when the Vulcan Squadrons based there moved to Cottesmore.

The base was rebuilt during the 1980s to house the then forming Tornado squadrons. RAF Coningsby has substantial HAS complexes within the confines of the airfield. Coningsby became the first RAF Station to operate the Air Defence Variant of the Tornado, the major type still based there today. Units based at Coningsby are No 5 Squadron with 12 Tornado F3s, No 56(Reserve) Squadron, the Tornado F3 Operational Conversion Unit with 19 Tornado F3s. In addition, the Tornado F3 Operational Evaluation Unit flies 3 Tornado F3s, and the world-famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operates 5 Spitfires of various Marks, the only flying Lancaster in Europe, two Hurricanes, a Dakota and two Chipmunks.