RAF Silloth

{{Short description|Former RAF airfield in Cumbria, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}} {{Use British English|date=February 2018}} {{Infobox military installation | name = RAF Silloth | ensign = Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg | ensign_size = 90px | native_name = | partof =  | nearest_town = Silloth, Cumbria | country = England | image =  | caption = | image2 =  | alt2 = | caption2 = | type = Royal Air Force Station | coordinates = {{Coord|54|52|10|N|003|21|37|W|region:GB_type:airport|display=inline,title}} | gridref = | pushpin_map = Cumbria#UK | pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Cumbria | pushpin_label = RAF Silloth | pushpin_label_position = | ownership = Air Ministry | operator = Royal Air Force | controlledby = RAF Coastal Command<BR>RAF Maintenance Command | open_to_public =  | site_other_label =  | site_other =  | site_area =  | code =  | built = {{Start date|1939}} | used = 1939 - {{End date|1960}} | builder = | fate = | condition = | battles = European theatre of World War II | events = | past_commanders =  | garrison =  | occupants =  | designations = | website = | footnotes =   | IATA = | ICAO = | LID = | GPS = | WMO = | elevation = {{Convert|7|m|0}} | r1-number = 04/22 | r1-length = {{Convert|1420|m|0}} | r1-surface = Asphalt | r2-number = 09/27 | r2-length = {{Convert|980|m|0}} | r2-surface = Asphalt | r3-number = 18/36 | r3-length = {{Convert|1050|m|0}} | r3-surface = Asphalt | h1-number = | h1-length =  | h1-surface = | airfield_other_label =  | airfield_other = Operational dates.<ref name="CT">{{cite web |url=http://www.controltowers.co.uk/S/Silloth.htm |title=RAF Silloth |publisher=Control Towers |access-date=26 April 2012}}</ref>  }} '''Royal Air Force Silloth''', or more simply '''RAF Silloth''', is a former Royal Air Force station {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} north-east of Silloth, Cumbria, England, and {{convert|6.7|mi|km}} south-west of Kirkbride, Cumbria. The station was used by RAF Coastal Command.

The airfield is also known as '''Silloth Airfield/Aerodrome'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sillothairfield.wordpress.com/|title=Silloth Airfield|website=Silloth Airfield}}</ref>

==Station history== thumb|left|{{center|The airfield as camouflaged during World War II}} The airfield was originally designed to be used by RAF Maintenance Command but was handed over to Coastal Command in November 1939.<ref name="CT"/> It had a satellite at RAF Hornby Hall.

==Based units== * No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (OTU) using Avro Ansons, Bristol Beauforts and Bothas<ref name="CT"/> * No. 6 Operational Training Unit RAF with the Vickers Wellington and Anson<ref name="CT"/> * No. 215 Squadron RAF using the Wellington{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=71}} * No. 320 (Netherlands) Squadron RAF using the Avro Anson I{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=86}} * No. 22 Maintenance Unit RAF<ref name="CT"/> * No. 1353 (Target Towing) Flight RAF using the Supermarine Spitfire and the Vultee A-31 Vengeance<ref name="CT"/> * No. 5 Ferry Pool RAF<ref name="CT"/>

==Current use== Many of the buildings still survive, including the hangars, but the runways are in a bad condition.<ref name="CT"/>

A farmers' market and Solway Holiday Park occupy the outer edge of the airport. A number of private homes are found on the north-west side of the former airfield. Enkev, a natural fibre company, has its UK office at the airfield.

==References== ===Citations=== {{Reflist}}

===Bibliography=== *{{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1= C G |title= RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher= Airlife |location= Shrewsbury |isbn= 1-85310-053-6 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Silloth}} Category:Royal Air Force stations in Cumbria Category:History of Cumbria Category:Military airbases established in 1939 Category:Military airbases closed in 1960