# RAF Croft

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Royal Air Force base in Yorkshire, England

RAF Croft Dalton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire in England A building at Cockleberry Saw Mill which was part of RAF Croft during the Second World War Site information Type Royal Air Force satellite station 1941–43 64 (RCAF) Base substation 1943–[1] Code CR[1] Owner Air Ministry Operator Royal Air Force (RAF) Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Controlled by RAF Bomber Command * No. 4 Group RAF * No. 6 Group RCAF[1] Location RAF Croft Shown within North Yorkshire Show map of North Yorkshire RAF Croft RAF Croft (the United Kingdom) Show map of the United Kingdom Coordinates 54°27′09″N 001°33′11″W / 54.45250°N 1.55306°W / 54.45250; -1.55306 Site history Built 1940 (1940)/41 In use October 1941 – 1952 (1952) Battles/wars European theatre of World War II Airfield information Elevation 55 metres (180 ft)[1] AMSL Runways Direction Length and surface 00/00 Tarmac 00/00 Tarmac 00/00 Tarmac

**Royal Air Force Croft** or more simply **RAF Croft** is a former [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) [satellite station](/source/List_of_former_Royal_Air_Force_stations) located 4.6 miles (7.4 km) south of [Darlington](/source/Darlington), [County Durham](/source/County_Durham), [England](/source/England) and 8 miles (13 km) north-east of [Richmond](/source/Richmond%2C_North_Yorkshire), [North Yorkshire](/source/North_Yorkshire). The site is also known locally as **Croft Aerodrome** or **Neasham**. Constructed at the same time as many other airfields, it was originally named **RAF Dalton-on-Tees** after the nearby village [Dalton-on-Tees](/source/Dalton-on-Tees). However, it was quickly renamed RAF Croft (after [Croft-on-Tees](/source/Croft-on-Tees)) after initial confusion with the also newly opened [RAF Dalton](/source/RAF_Dalton) near Thirsk, just 25 miles (40 km) away.

The airfield was opened in 1941 for use by the Royal Air Force (RAF) but by 1942 the aerodrome had been taken over by the [Royal Canadian Air Force](/source/Royal_Canadian_Air_Force) (RCAF) for training as part of [No. 6 Group RCAF](/source/No._6_Group_RCAF).

The station is now the site of [Croft Circuit](/source/Croft_Circuit), a motor racing circuit which hosts various car championships including the [British Touring Car Championship](/source/British_Touring_Car_Championship).

## History

The first squadron stationed at Croft was [No. 78 Squadron RAF](/source/No._78_Squadron_RAF) which arrived on 20 October 1941 flying both the [Armstrong Whitworth Whitley](/source/Armstrong_Whitworth_Whitley) Mk.V and the [Handley Page Halifax](/source/Handley_Page_Halifax) Mk. II before leaving on 10 June 1942[2] when no units were stationed during the summer but on 1 October 1942 [No. 419 Squadron RCAF](/source/419_Tactical_Fighter_Training_Squadron) has arrived with their Mk. III [Vickers Wellingtons](/source/Vickers_Wellington) before re-equipping with the Halifax II and leaving on 10 November 1942. During this time on 7 November 1942, [427 Squadron RCAF](/source/427_Special_Operations_Aviation_Squadron) was formed at the airfield with a mixture of Mk III's and Mk X's Wellington before leaving on 4 May 1943.[3]

In 1943, Croft became a sub-station of [RAF Middleton St George](/source/RAF_Middleton_St_George) which was allocated to No. 6 Group, Royal Canadian Air Force.[4]

The airfield also hosted [No. 1664 (Royal Canadian Air Force) Heavy Conversion Unit RAF](/source/No._1664_(Royal_Canadian_Air_Force)_Heavy_Conversion_Unit_RAF) starting from 10 May 1943 which trained new pilots to fly the new heavy bombers using the Mk II and the Mk IV Halifax before leaving on 7 December 1943.[4] When three days later on the tenth [No. 431 Squadron RCAF](/source/Snowbirds_(aerobatic_team)) began using the airfield with the Halifax Mks V and III and the [Avro Lancaster](/source/Avro_Lancaster) Mk.X before leaving on 7 June 1945 going to [Canada](/source/Canada).[3] This squadron was joined by [434 Squadron RCAF](/source/434_Operational_Test_and_Evaluation_Squadron) which had joined on 11 December 1944 also flying the Halifax and the Lancaster before leaving on 15 June 1945 to also go to Canada.[5]

After the RCAF left in 1945, Croft saw little wartime activity. Later in 1945 the aerodrome became a satellite of [No. 13 Operational Training Unit RAF](/source/No._13_OTU) based at Middleton St. George flying [de Havilland Mosquitoes](/source/De_Havilland_Mosquito). The station was closed in the summer of 1946.[4] [6]

The following units were also here at some point:[7]

- Detachment of [No. 6 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF](/source/No._6_Anti-Aircraft_Co-operation_Unit_RAF) (January 1943)[8]

- No. 78 Conversion Flight (January – June 1942)[9]

- Relief Landing Ground for [No. 205 Advanced Flying School RAF](/source/No._205_Advanced_Flying_School_RAF) (2 February 1951 - 1 June 1954)[10]

- No. 205 AFS between 12 December 1952 and 1 January 1954 while runways at home base resurfaced[10]

- [822 Naval Air Squadron](/source/822_Naval_Air_Squadron)

- [No. 1516 (Beam Approach Training) Flight RAF](/source/No._1516_(Beam_Approach_Training)_Flight_RAF) (September – October 1942)[11]

## Incidents

On 22 March 1945, a Royal Canadian Air Force Lancaster aircraft was taking off from Croft when it was caught in a crosswind and blown off the runway where a punctured tyre led to it crashing and the port engine catching fire. The crew extricated themselves and as the 4-pound (1.8 kg) incendiary bombs were exploding in the fire, the base and local residents were evacuated to shelter in a cutting of the nearby railway line. At 11:27 am, the 4,000-pound (1,800 kg) [blockbuster bomb](/source/Blockbuster_bomb) on board the Lancaster exploded and took the roofs off several buildings in the immediate vicinity.[12]

[Croft Circuit](/source/Croft_Circuit), [North Yorkshire](/source/North_Yorkshire).

## Current use

The Croft aerodrome is now [Croft Circuit](/source/Croft_Circuit), a venue for the [British Touring Car Championship](/source/British_Touring_Car_Championship) and [British Superbike Championship](/source/British_Superbike_Championship).

## See also

- [List of former Royal Air Force stations](/source/List_of_former_Royal_Air_Force_stations)

## References

### Citations

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFalconer201272_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFalconer201272_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFalconer201272_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFalconer201272_1-3) [Falconer 2012](#CITEREFFalconer2012), p. 72.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198878_2-0)** [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 78.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198891_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198891_3-1) [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 91.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RAFWEB_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RAFWEB_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-RAFWEB_4-2) ["RAF Croft"](http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-C.htm#Croft). Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 16 June 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198892_5-0)** [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 92.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Moyes 1976](#CITEREFMoyes1976), pp. 240, 246, 249 and 251.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ABCT_7-0)** ["Croft (Neasham)"](https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/croft-neasham/). [Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust](/source/Airfields_of_Britain_Conservation_Trust). Retrieved 29 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlinHalley199771_8-0)** [Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlinHalley1997), p. 71.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlinHalley199797_9-0)** [Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlinHalley1997), p. 97.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlinHalley199740_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlinHalley199740_10-1) [Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlinHalley1997), p. 40.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlinHalley1997138_11-0)** [Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlinHalley1997), p. 138.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Lloyd, Chris (26 July 2019). "Turning Point in History". *Darlington & Stockton Times*. No. 30–2019. p. 54. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2516-5348](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2516-5348).

### Bibliography

- Falconer, J. (2012). *RAF Airfields of World War 2*. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-85780-349-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-85780-349-5).

- Halley, James J. *The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1981-1988*. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-85130-164-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-85130-164-9).

- Jefford, C. G. (1988). *RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912*. [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury): Airlife. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85310-053-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85310-053-6).

- Moyes, Philip (1976). *Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft* (2 ed.). London: Macdonald and Jane's. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-354-01027-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-354-01027-1).

- Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). *RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912*. Tonbridge, Kent: Air-Britain. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-85130-365-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-85130-365-9).

- Sturtivant, R.; Hamlin, J.; Halley, J. (1997). *Royal Air Force flying training and support units*. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-85130-252-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-85130-252-1).

- Todd, A. A. B. *Pilgrimages of Grace: a history of Croft aerodrome*. Alan Todd Associates, Durham, UK: 1993. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9520177-0-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9520177-0-9).

## External links

- [RAF Croft on RafWeb](http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-C.htm#Croft)

v t e Royal Air Force Formations and units Units Commands Groups Wings Squadrons Flights Conversion units Operational Training units Schools / Training units Ferry units Glider units Misc units Stations Active Former Satellite Landing Grounds Station description Regiment Wings Squadrons Flights Branches and components Air Force Board RAF Regiment RAF Chaplains Branch RAF Intelligence RAF Legal Branch RAF Medical Services Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service RAF Police RAF ground trades RAF Music Services RAF Search and Rescue Force RAF Mountain Rescue Service RAF Marine Branch RAF Air Cadets Operations Reserve forces Royal Auxiliary Air Force RAF Volunteer Reserve Equipment List of RAF aircraft current future List of RAF missiles List of equipment of the RAF Regiment Personnel Officer ranks Other ranks List of notable personnel List of serving senior officers Personnel numbers Appointments Chief of Air Staff Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Air Member for Personnel Air Secretary Air Member for Materiel Commandant-General of the RAF Regiment Warrant Officer of the RAF Symbols and uniform Badge Ensign Heraldic badges Roundels Squadron standards and battle honours Uniform Associated civil organisations Air Training Corps Combined Cadet Force (RAF section) RAF Association RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine RAF Benevolent Fund RAF Football Association RAF Museum History Timeline Future

v t e Royal Air Force stations in Yorkshire Flying stations Active Leeming Topcliffe1 Former Acaster Malbis Bellasize Beverley Bircotes Bramham Breighton2 Burn2 Carnaby Catfoss Catterick Church Fenton2 Clifton Coal Aston Cottam Croft Dalton Dishforth Doncaster Driffield East Moor Elvington Finningley2 Firbeck Full Sutton Hedon Helperby Holme-on-Spalding Moor Hornsea Mere Howden Hutton Cranswick Leconfield Lindholme Linton-on-Ouse Lissett Manywells Height Marske Marston Moor Melbourne Pocklington Redcar Riccall Ripon Rufforth2 Scorton Sherburn-in-Elmet2 Skipton-on-Swale Snaith Tholthorpe Thornaby Wombleton Yeadon2 Non-flying stations Active Fylingdales3 Menwith Hill3 Staxton Wold3 Former Bawtry Bempton3 Bent Rigg3 Bowes Moor Bridlington Cowden Danby Beacon3 Goldsborough3 Harrogate Holmpton3 Hunmanby Moor Misson Northallerton4 Norton Oxenhope Moor3 Patrington3 Shipton3 Sutton on Hull Notes 1: used for only for RAF gliders 2: now used for civilian aviation 3: communications or radar sites 4: RAF hospital

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [RAF Croft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Croft) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Croft?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.