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'''RAF Wing''' is a former [[Royal Air Force]] bomber training [[Royal Air Force station|station]], situated just west of the village of [[Wing, Buckinghamshire|Wing]] in [[Buckinghamshire]],<ref>http://www.content-delivery.co.uk/aviation/airfields/regional/Buckinghamshire/Wing.html</ref> established on the site of a small aerodrome.
'''RAF Wing'''


==History==
Wing airfield opened on 17 November 1941, though the runways were not finished and the first flight did not happen until March 1942. It was soon used as a training facility, though some operational missions were also flown from there.
RAF Wing airfield opened on 17 November 1941, although the upgraded runways were not finished and the first flight did not occur until March 1942. The station was used primarily as a training facility, but some operational missions were also flown from there. No. 26 Operational Training Unit for [[Bomber Command]] was assigned, operating [[Handley Page Halifax]]es.

Construction included hangars for the aircraft, offices, a canteen, rest rooms, blast shelters, radio and telegraph rooms, training blocks, church, gym, squash court, rugby and football field, cinema, tailors, barbers, shoemakers, Post Office, a cinema, and stores.
Construction included five hangars for the aircraft, two runways, offices, a canteen, rest rooms, blast shelters, radio and telegraph rooms, training blocks, church, gym, squash court, rugby and football field, cinema, tailors, barbers, shoemakers, Post Office, a cinema, and stores.
⚫
Thirteen sites of living quarters were erected, each with up to 20 [[Nissen huts]], some toilets, and one or two air-raid shelters. Members of the [[Women’s Auxiliary Air Force]] had their own site closer to Wing village, much of which can still be seen today. There was also a hospital close to Cublington, some of these buildings are also standing.
⚫
Thirteen sites of living quarters were erected, each with up to 20 [[Nissen huts]], some toilets, and one or two air-raid shelters. Members of the [[Women's Auxiliary Air Force]] had their own site closer to Wing village, much of which can still be seen today. There was also a hospital close to [[Cublington]] that is also standing.<ref>Brooks, Robin J., 2000. "Thames Valley Airfields in the Second World War". Newbury: Countryside Books.</ref><ref>https://ubp.buckscc.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=%27TBC567%27</ref>

==Motto==
The motto written on the Navigation Section at Wing was “MAN IS NOT LOST”. Someone had written graffiti underneath this: “But occasionally is completely unaware of his exact location.”
The motto written on the Navigation Section at Wing was “MAN IS NOT LOST”. Someone had written graffiti underneath this: “But occasionally is completely unaware of his exact location.”

==Activity==
RAF dog handlers were at the Hawker Aircraft Factory on Langley Airfield. The airmen cycled to local pubs in Wing, Stewkley, Cheddington and Cublington in the evenings or to local train stations on their days off so they could go home and see their families. Often entertainment was put on at the airfield as well, such as dancing. There were also weekly dances at Wing village hall. <ref>Brooks, R.J., 2000. "Thames Valley Airfields in the Second World War". Newbury: Countryside Books.</ref><ref>https://ubp.buckscc.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=%27TBC567%27</ref>
RAF dog handlers were at the Hawker Aircraft Factory on Langley Airfield. The airmen cycled to local pubs in Wing, Stewkley, Cheddington and Cublington in the evenings or to local train stations on their days off so they could go home and see their families. Often entertainment was put on at the airfield as well, such as dancing. There were also weekly dances at Wing village hall.<ref>Brooks, Robin J., 2000. "Thames Valley Airfields in the Second World War". Newbury: Countryside Books.</ref><ref>https://ubp.buckscc.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=%27TBC567%27</ref>

==Victory in Europe==
In April and May of 1945, RAF Wing served as a gateway for tens of thousands of men returning from duty in Europe.<ref>http://www.wing-ops.org.uk/military-WWII.html</ref>

==Incidents==
:One of the five hangars was destroyed when struck during in a bad crash landing.<ref>http://www.wing-ops.org.uk/military-WWII.html</ref>

:On 12 September 1942, the prototype [[Martin-Baker MB 3]] fighter, ''R2492'', crashed on its tenth flight after its engine seized shortly after takeoff from RAF Wing at a height of no more than 100&nbsp;feet. A crank on one of the [[Napier Sabre]] II's sleeve valves had failed. While trying to land in a field, Captain [[Valentine Baker (pilot)|Valentine Baker]] (Company manager, aircraft-designer and test pilot) was forced to turn to port to avoid a farmhouse, a wing clipped a tree stump, the fighter cartwheeled and burst into flame, killing him.<ref>Editors, "''A Real Contender''", Database, ''Aeroplane'', Berry's Hill, Cudham, Kent, UK, December 2010, No. 452, Volume 38, Number 12, pages 65–66.</ref> The MB 3 had arrived at RAF Wing in August.<ref>http://www.wing-ops.org.uk/military-WWII.html</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wing}}
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations in Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations of World War II in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations in England]]
[[Category:Huntingdonshire]]

Revision as of 03:40, 15 February 2014

RAF Wing is a former Royal Air Force bomber training station, situated just west of the village of Wing in Buckinghamshire,[1] established on the site of a small aerodrome.

History

RAF Wing airfield opened on 17 November 1941, although the upgraded runways were not finished and the first flight did not occur until March 1942. The station was used primarily as a training facility, but some operational missions were also flown from there. No. 26 Operational Training Unit for Bomber Command was assigned, operating Handley Page Halifaxes.

Construction included five hangars for the aircraft, two runways, offices, a canteen, rest rooms, blast shelters, radio and telegraph rooms, training blocks, church, gym, squash court, rugby and football field, cinema, tailors, barbers, shoemakers, Post Office, a cinema, and stores.

Thirteen sites of living quarters were erected, each with up to 20 Nissen huts, some toilets, and one or two air-raid shelters. Members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force had their own site closer to Wing village, much of which can still be seen today. There was also a hospital close to Cublington that is also standing.[2][3]

Motto

The motto written on the Navigation Section at Wing was “MAN IS NOT LOST”. Someone had written graffiti underneath this: “But occasionally is completely unaware of his exact location.”

Activity

RAF dog handlers were at the Hawker Aircraft Factory on Langley Airfield. The airmen cycled to local pubs in Wing, Stewkley, Cheddington and Cublington in the evenings or to local train stations on their days off so they could go home and see their families. Often entertainment was put on at the airfield as well, such as dancing. There were also weekly dances at Wing village hall.[4][5]

Victory in Europe

In April and May of 1945, RAF Wing served as a gateway for tens of thousands of men returning from duty in Europe.[6]

Incidents

One of the five hangars was destroyed when struck during in a bad crash landing.[7]
On 12 September 1942, the prototype Martin-Baker MB 3 fighter, R2492, crashed on its tenth flight after its engine seized shortly after takeoff from RAF Wing at a height of no more than 100 feet. A crank on one of the Napier Sabre II's sleeve valves had failed. While trying to land in a field, Captain Valentine Baker (Company manager, aircraft-designer and test pilot) was forced to turn to port to avoid a farmhouse, a wing clipped a tree stump, the fighter cartwheeled and burst into flame, killing him.[8] The MB 3 had arrived at RAF Wing in August.[9]

References

  1. ^ http://www.content-delivery.co.uk/aviation/airfields/regional/Buckinghamshire/Wing.html
  2. ^ Brooks, Robin J., 2000. "Thames Valley Airfields in the Second World War". Newbury: Countryside Books.
  3. ^ https://ubp.buckscc.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=%27TBC567%27
  4. ^ Brooks, Robin J., 2000. "Thames Valley Airfields in the Second World War". Newbury: Countryside Books.
  5. ^ https://ubp.buckscc.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=%27TBC567%27
  6. ^ http://www.wing-ops.org.uk/military-WWII.html
  7. ^ http://www.wing-ops.org.uk/military-WWII.html
  8. ^ Editors, "A Real Contender", Database, Aeroplane, Berry's Hill, Cudham, Kent, UK, December 2010, No. 452, Volume 38, Number 12, pages 65–66.
  9. ^ http://www.wing-ops.org.uk/military-WWII.html
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