Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Desborough Airfield
Hob Uid: 1393638
Location : Northamptonshire Kettering Stoke Albany, Wilbarston
Grid Ref : SP8170086500
Summary : The site of a former military airfield, opened in 1943 and closed in 1946. It was a Royal Air Force Bomber Command base during World War Two, and was used by 84 Operational Training Unit until 1945. The airfield had three tarmac runways, 29 hard standings, four type T2 aircraft hangers and one type B1 aircraft hangar. Accomodation for personnel was temporary, with dispersed camps to the south of the flying field. After the base closed in 1946 the airfield was used for agriculture. Solar farm to be built on the site (2015).
More information : Desborough Airfield, Northamptonshire, SP 817 865, opened in 1943 and closed in 1946. It was a Royal Air Force Bomber Command base during World War Two, and was used by an Operational Training Unit until 1945. The airfield had three tarmac runways, 29 hard standings, four type T2 aircraft hangers and one type B1 aircraft hangar. Accomodation for personnel was temporary. On 01-DEC-1944 there were 1557 men and 320 women stationed at the airfield. Use of the site in 1985 stated to be agriculture.(1) Airfield (disused) SP 817 865 (NAT). OS sheet SP 88 NW depicts the airfield with dispersed camps to the south of the flying field. (2) A housing development of 1000 homes and light industry on the disused Desborough Airfield site has been planned, on behalf of the Rockingham Castle estate. (3) Solar farm plans approved for Desborough airfield (4)

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Source details : 1:10000, 1972
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Source details : Elizabeth Banks Associates Limited. No Date. "Elizabeth Banks Associates Client List" <> accessed 26-FEB-2004.
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Source details : Northamptonshire Telegraph 26-AUG-2015 < http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/top-stories/plans-for-solar-farm-on-former-desborough-airfield-approved-1-6924819 > [accessed 15-SEP-2015]
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : World War II from 1943
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1943
Monument Type : Military Airfield, Hard Standing, Military Camp, Aircraft Hangar (Type T2), Aircraft Hangar (Type B1)
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Closed 1946
Monument End Date : 1946
Monument Start Date : 1946
Monument Type : Military Airfield
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : Second World War
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1943
Monument Type : Military Airfield
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Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SP 88 NW 43
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Associated Activities :
Activity type : THEMATIC SURVEY
Start Date : 2012-01-01
End Date : 2012-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : DESK BASED ASSESSMENT
Start Date : 2014-01-01
End Date : 2014-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2015-01-01
End Date : 2015-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Desborough Airfield