Sometimes a valuable piece of information can come from the least expected direction. I stumbled across a set of documents issued fairly recently by South Cambridge District Council which provide a wealth of useful detail about the history of the RAF Duxford Station from its beginning in 1918 until early 1960s. Built during the First World War, the aerodrome was one of the earliest Royal Air Force stations and most of its structures dating back to the pre-1939 period are preserved until today.

Duxford occupies a special place in the history of the Spitfire. In the latter half of 1938 it was here the Spitfire entered service, initially with No. 19 and 66 Squadrons. Many other famous names were associated with the station. Sqn/Ldr Keith Park who was commanding over No. 111 Squadron and started the trend of formation flying and aerobatics with the unit's Armstrong-Whitworth Siskins in the late 1920s. It was here that Douglas Bader lost his legs in a crash of the Bristol Bulldog, and at the time of the Battle of Britain directed his "Big Wing". Jeffrey Quill served with the meteorological flight at this station starting from 1933... I'd rather save additional details for the forthcoming initial chapter of the Operational History.

The District Council documents form a draft policy for the forthcoming conservation area at the former Duxford RAF station, parts of which are today administered by Imperial War Museum. Although aimed at the community planners and the general public, the document provides very thorough description of the station's history, clarifies the functional and military considerations governing its development throughout the years, plus a wealth of detailed information about many of its buildings; altogether it provides a unique insight into the works of a pre-war RAF Fighter Station.

Recommended. All documents linked below are in PDF format.

• Main document - Conservation Area Appraisal - Duxford Airfield


• Area map to accompany the text


• Duxford air station maps 1918-1960

Duxford aerodrome, 1946
Crown Copyright photo

Labels: history