# RAF Hutton Cranswick

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Royal Air Force base in Yorkshire, England

RAF Hutton Cranswick Hutton Cranswick, East Riding of Yorkshire in England Landing strip of the former airfield Site information Type Royal Air Force station parent station 1942-46 Code CK[1] Owner Air Ministry Operator Royal Air Force Controlled by RAF Fighter Command * No. 12 Group RAF Location RAF Hutton Cranswick Shown within East Riding of Yorkshire Show map of East Riding of Yorkshire RAF Hutton Cranswick RAF Hutton Cranswick (the United Kingdom) Show map of the United Kingdom Coordinates 53°56′57″N 0°27′43″W / 53.94906°N 0.46185°W / 53.94906; -0.46185 Site history Built 1941 (1941)/42 In use January 1942 - June 1946 (1946) Battles/wars European theatre of World War II Airfield information Elevation 33 metres (108 ft)[1] AMSL Runways Direction Length and surface E/W 1,510 metres (4,954 ft) Concrete 00/00 1,210 metres (3,970 ft) Concrete 00/00 1,010 metres (3,314 ft) Concrete

**Royal Air Force Hutton Cranswick** or more simply **RAF Hutton Cranswick** is a former [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) [station](/source/Royal_Air_Force_station) located to the south of [Driffield](/source/Driffield) and immediately south west of the village of [Hutton Cranswick](/source/Hutton_Cranswick) in the [East Riding of Yorkshire](/source/East_Riding_of_Yorkshire), [England](/source/England). The station was developed as a fighter base with many Spitfire fighter squadrons passing through. It was used by the Royal Air Force, the [Royal Canadian Air Force](/source/Royal_Canadian_Air_Force) (RCAF), and several [Polish Fighter Squadrons](/source/Polish_Fighter_Squadron) of the RAF. It was opened in 1942, and disposed of in 1946.

## History

RAF Hutton Cranswick opened in January 1942 as a fighter airfield within [No. 12 Group RAF](/source/No._12_Group_RAF).[2][3] No. 4 Group of Bomber Command had recently taken over RAF Leconfield to the south, which had previously been a Fighter Command asset, so Hutton Cranswick was developed for the fighter element.[3] Uncharacteristically for the time, its three runways were concreted from the beginning. Many Fighter Command airfields were initially built with grass runways which were later upgraded to concrete.[4] The main runway was aligned east to west and was 4,950 feet (1,510 m) long. The other two intersecting runways which formed a V shape through the main runway, were 3,960 feet (1,210 m) (west side) and 3,330 feet (1,010 m) on the east side. Each runway was 50 yards (46 m) wide.[3][5]

Fighter Command was renowned for rotating its squadrons through several bases in quick succession, and RAF Hutton Cranswick is a prime example of this.[6] Many squadrons rotated through the airfield including; [No. 1 Squadron RAF](/source/No._1_Squadron_RAF), [19](/source/No._19_Squadron_RAF), [168](/source/No._168_Squadron_RAF), [170](/source/No._170_Squadron_RAF), [195](/source/No._195_Squadron_RAF), [234 (Madras Presidency)](/source/No._234_Squadron_RAF), [302 (City of Poznan)](/source/No._302_Polish_Fighter_Squadron), [306 (City of Torun)](/source/No._306_Polish_Fighter_Squadron), [308 (City of Kraków)](/source/No._308_Polish_Fighter_Squadron), [315 (City of Dęblin)](/source/No._315_Polish_Fighter_Squadron), [316 (City of Warsaw)](/source/No._316_Polish_Fighter_Squadron) squadron RAF, and [610 (County of Chester) Squadron AAF](/source/No._610_Squadron_RAuxAF). In early 1943, several flights were posted into Hutton Cranswick, including No. 3 RAF Regiment Training School (which became No. 1634 Flight). This was moved from [RAF Ronaldsway](/source/RAF_Ronaldsway) where targets were towed to train the RAF Regiment in anti-aircraft fire.[7][8]

In September 1943, virtually the entire strength of squadron personnel were posted to Australia to form [No. 549 Squadron RAF](/source/No._549_Squadron_RAF), and No. 234 reformed with new crews, which were posted to the south of England, by the end of 1943.[9] From 1 December 1943, the Anti Aircraft Co-operation [291 Squadron](/source/No._291_Squadron_RAF) was formed at the airfield for target towing and similar uses.[10] No. 291 Squadron had been formed from 1613, 1629, and 1634 anti-aircraft co-operation flights, and its remit was to tow aerial targets for the anti-aircraft batteries on the east coast.[11][12]

In December 1943, [No. 26 (South African) Squadron RAF](/source/No._26_Squadron_RAF) arrived from Church Fenton. The squadron first departed for [RAF Scorton](/source/RAF_Scorton), but returned, then left for [RAF Peterhead](/source/RAF_Peterhead), returning again in April 1944 (from [RAF Ayr](/source/RAF_Ayr)), and finally left Hutton Cranswick for good on 28 April 1944 for Lee-on-Solent.[11]

Whilst in use by 291 other fighter squadrons continued to rotate through including [401](/source/401_Tactical_Fighter_Squadron), [403](/source/403_Helicopter_Operational_Training_Squadron), [412](/source/412_Transport_Squadron), [441](/source/441_Tactical_Fighter_Squadron), [442](/source/442_Transport_and_Rescue_Squadron), [443](/source/443_Maritime_Helicopter_Squadron) (all flying [Supermarine Spitfires](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire)) and [439](/source/439_Combat_Support_Squadron) using [Hawker Typhoons](/source/Hawker_Typhoon). The final unit to operate from Hutton Cranswick was [No. 124 (Baroda) Squadron RAF](/source/No._124_Squadron_RAF) using Spitfire IXs.[13]

Hutton Cranswick was used by [No. 16 Armament Practice Camp RAF](/source/List_of_Royal_Air_Force_units_%26_establishments#Armament_practice_and_training_units) for about a year until it finally closed in mid 1946.[13]

## Units

A number of other units also used the airfield:[14]

Squadrons and Units based at RAF Hutton Cranswick 1942–1946 Unit Dates Details Ref No. 1 Squadron RAF 23 July 1945 – 30 April 1946 Arrived from RAF Ludham, departed for RAF Tangmere [15] No. 26 (South African) Squadron RAF 31 December 1943 – 28 April 1944 Arrived from RAF Church Fenton, departed for Lee-on-Solent [11] No. 234 (Madras Presidency) Squadron RAF 15 October–31 December 1943 Reformed at Hutton Cranswick, departed for RAF Church Fenton [16][17] No. 288 Squadron RAF July 1945–24 May 1946 Arrived from RAF Church Fenton, departed for RAF East Moor [18][19] No. 291 Squadron RAF 1 December 1943 – 26 June 1945 Formed from several flights (1610, 1629, 1634) [10] No. 403 Squadron RCAF 24–29 February 1944 Training at No. 16 Armament Practice Camp [20] No. 421 Squadron RCAF 2–9 March 1944 Training at No. 16 Armament Practice Camp [21] No. 441 Squadron RCAF 12–23 May 1944 Training at No. 16 Armament Practice Camp [22] No. 610 (County of Chester) Squadron AAF 14 January 1942 – 4 April 1942 Arrived from RAF Leconfield, departed for RAF Ludham [23][24]

- [No. 123 Airfield Headquarters RAF](/source/No._123_Airfield_Headquarters_RAF) (1943)[25]

- [No. 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF](/source/No._2_(Coastal)_Operational_Training_Unit_RAF)

- [No. 2 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._2_Tactical_Exercise_Unit_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [No. 4 Aircraft Delivery Flight RAF](/source/No._4_Aircraft_Delivery_Flight_RAF)

- [No. 6 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF](/source/No._6_Anti-Aircraft_Co-operation_Unit_RAF)

- No. 8 Fighter Command Servicing Unit RAF

- No. 13 Fighter Command Servicing Unit RAF

- [885 Naval Air Squadron](/source/885_Naval_Air_Squadron)

- [No. 1489 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight RAF](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._1489_(Fighter)_Gunnery_Flight_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [No. 1495 (Target Towing) Flight RAF](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._1495_(Target_Towing)_Flight_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [No. 1613 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF](/source/No._1613_(Anti-Aircraft_Co-operation)_Flight_RAF)

- [No. 1629 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF](/source/No._1629_(Anti-Aircraft_Co-operation)_Flight_RAF)

- [No. 1634 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF](/source/No._1634_(Anti-Aircraft_Co-operation)_Flight_RAF)

- [No. 2731 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2731_Squadron_RAF_Regiment)

- [No. 2739 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2739_Squadron_RAF_Regiment)

- [No. 2805 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2805_Squadron_RAF_Regiment)

## Post closure

In April 1964, an [English Electric Lightning](/source/English_Electric_Lightning) F.2 tried to effect an emergency landing at Hutton Cranswick due to fuel shortage and systems failure. The aircraft's home base was at [RAF Leconfield](/source/RAF_Leconfield), just to the south, however, it was unable to reach that airfield safely. The aircraft missed the runway by 300 metres (980 ft) and the pilot was killed in the crash.[26]

The site is now used for farming and light industrial work,[14] whilst the control tower has been converted into a private residence,[27] and the airfield battle headquarters bunker still remains in a field behind the old control tower.[28]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFalconer2012116_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFalconer2012116_1-1) [Falconer 2012](#CITEREFFalconer2012), p. 116.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Hutton Cranswick Airfield (1398738)"](https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1398738&resourceID=19191). *Research records (formerly PastScape)*. Retrieved 15 February 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny198297_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny198297_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny198297_3-2) [Halpenny 1982](#CITEREFHalpenny1982), p. 97.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOtter200348_4-0)** [Otter 2003](#CITEREFOtter2003), p. 48.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelve2006146_5-0)** [Delve 2006](#CITEREFDelve2006), p. 146.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOtter200348–49_6-0)** [Otter 2003](#CITEREFOtter2003), pp. 48–49.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake1999177_7-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 177.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelve2006220_8-0)** [Delve 2006](#CITEREFDelve2006), p. 220.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Ashworth, Chris (1989). *Encyclopaedia of modern Royal Air Force squadrons*. Wellingborough: Stephens. p. 203. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85260-013-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85260-013-6).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake1999253_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake1999253_10-1) [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 253.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny198298_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny198298_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny198298_11-2) [Halpenny 1982](#CITEREFHalpenny1982), p. 98.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake199998–99_12-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), pp. 98–99.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOtter200350_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOtter200350_13-1) [Otter 2003](#CITEREFOtter2003), p. 50.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ABCT_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ABCT_14-1) ["Hutton Cranswick"](http://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/hutton-cranswick/). [Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust](/source/Airfields_of_Britain_Conservation_Trust). Retrieved 8 February 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Delve, Ken (2007). *Fighter Command, 1936-1968 : an operational and historical record*. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Aviation. p. 299. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1783408696](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1783408696).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny198250_16-0)** [Halpenny 1982](#CITEREFHalpenny1982), p. 50.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelve2006147_17-0)** [Delve 2006](#CITEREFDelve2006), p. 147.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny198298–99_18-0)** [Halpenny 1982](#CITEREFHalpenny1982), pp. 98–99.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelve200687_19-0)** [Delve 2006](#CITEREFDelve2006), p. 87.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKostenukGriffin197786_20-0)** [Kostenuk & Griffin 1977](#CITEREFKostenukGriffin1977), p. 86.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKostenukGriffin1977115_21-0)** [Kostenuk & Griffin 1977](#CITEREFKostenukGriffin1977), p. 115.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKostenukGriffin1977139_22-0)** [Kostenuk & Griffin 1977](#CITEREFKostenukGriffin1977), p. 139.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny1982102_23-0)** [Halpenny 1982](#CITEREFHalpenny1982), p. 102.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford2001100_24-0)** [Jefford 2001](#CITEREFJefford2001), p. 100.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin200746_25-0)** [Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlin2007), p. 46.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Ranter, Harro. ["Accident English Electric Lightning F.Mk 2 XN785, 27 Apr 1964"](https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/56574). *aviation-safety.net*. Retrieved 15 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Abraham, Barry (2002). *Post-war Yorkshire airfields*. Stroud: Tempus. p. 124. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7524-2390-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7524-2390-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Tucknott, Mick; Taylor, Iain (27 April 2013). ["Hutton Cranswick Airfield Battle HQ – Subterranea Britannica"](https://www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/hutton-cranswick-airfield-battle-hq/). *www.subbrit.org.uk*. Retrieved 15 February 2021.

### Bibliography

- Delve, Ken (2006). *Northern England : Co. Durham, Cumbria, Isle of Man, Lancashire, Merseyside, Manchester, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire*. Ramsbury: Crowood. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-86126-809-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-86126-809-2).

- Falconer, Jonathan (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).

- Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore (1982). *Action stations*. Cambridge: Stephens. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-85059-532-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-85059-532-0).

- Jefford, C. G. (2001). *RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912* (2nd ed.). [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury), UK: Airlife Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-84037-141-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-84037-141-2).

- Kostenuk, Samuel; Griffin, John A (1977). *RCAF: squadron histories and aircraft, 1924-1968*. Toronto: Hakkert. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0888665776](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0888665776).

- Lake, Alan (1999). *Flying units of the RAF : the ancestry, formation and disbandment of all flying units from 1912*. Shrewsbury: Airlife. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-84037-086-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-84037-086-6).

- Otter, Patrick (2003). *Yorkshire airfields in the Second World War*. Newbury: Countryside Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85306-542-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85306-542-0).

- Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). *Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912*. [Tonbridge](/source/Tonbridge), UK: Air-Britain (Historians). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0851-3036-59](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0851-3036-59).

## External links

- [Map from 1953 showing location of airfield (extreme bottom left)](https://maps.nls.uk/view/207354858)

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