RAF Wormingford
Former Royal Air Force station in Essex, England / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Royal Air Force Wormingford, or more simply RAF Wormingford, is a former Royal Air Force station located 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of Colchester, Essex, England.
RAF Wormingford RFC Wormingford USAAF Station 159 | |
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Located Near Colchester, Essex, England | |
Coordinates | 51.940°N 0.792°E / 51.940; 0.792 |
Type | Royal Air Force station |
Code | WO |
Site information | |
Controlled by | Royal Flying Corps United States Army Air Forces Royal Air Force |
Site history | |
Built | 1917, 1942 |
Built by | Richard Costain Ltd |
In use | 1917-1920, 1943-1962 |
Battles/wars | European Theatre of World War II Air Offensive, Europe July 1942 - May 1945 |
Garrison information | |
Garrison | Ninth Air Force Eighth Air Force |
Occupants | 362nd Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group |
During World War I Wormingford was a landing ground designated for use by aircraft operating against Zeppelins. Reopened as a military airfield in 1942, it was used by both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). During the war it was used primarily as a fighter airfield. After the war, it was returned to agriculture.
Today, the main runway is used by the Essex and Suffolk Gliding Club, although the concrete has been removed except where the old NW-SW runway crosses.