Eshott Airfield Explained

Eshott Airfield
Nativename:RAF Eshott (1942–1944)
Nativename-A:Bockenfield Aerodrome
Type:Public
Owner-Oper:Eshott Airfield Ltd.
Location:Thirston
Elevation-M:60
Elevation-F:197
Coordinates:55.2794°N -1.7181°W
Pushpin Map:United Kingdom Northumberland
Pushpin Label:Eshott Airfield
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Northumberland
Metric-Rwy:Y
R1-Number:01/19
R1-Length-M:610
R1-Length-F:2,001
R1-Surface:Asphalt
R2-Number:01/19
R2-Length-M:550
R2-Length-F:1,804
R2-Surface:Grass
R3-Number:08/26
R3-Length-M:550
R3-Length-F:1,804
R3-Surface:Asphalt

Eshott Airfield is a former Royal Air Force (RAF) World War II airfield in the civil parish of Thirston, in the county of Northumberland, England, 20miles north of Newcastle, and midway between Morpeth and Alnwick. It is also known as Bockenfield Aerodrome.

Second World War

From 10 November 1942 during the Second World War it was home to No. 57 Operational Training Unit RAF. Training on Supermarine Spitfires was carried out there until the unit was transferred north to RAF Boulmer in August 1944.[1]

Modern use

Eshott is now used by recreational microlights and small light aircraft. It has both tarmac and grass runways.

The airfield is now the home of over 40 aircraft and has a clubhouse building, parking, and three hangar blocks.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: "No. 57 Operational Training Unit RAF", RAF Fighter Command 1939–1945 . 27 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120911091709/http://www.rafcommands.com/Fighter/57otuF.html . 11 September 2012 . dead .