# RAF Syerston

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Royal Air Force training station in Nottinghamshire, England

RAF Syerston Syerston, Nottinghamshire in England The air traffic control tower in 2006 Praesta in officiis (Latin for 'Excel in duties') Site information Type Royal Air Force flying training station Code YN Owner Ministry of Defence Operator Royal Air Force Controlled by No. 22 Group (Training) RAF (originally 1 then 5 Group)[1] Condition Active Website www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-syerston/ Location RAF Syerston Shown within Nottinghamshire Coordinates 53°01′24″N 000°54′42″W / 53.02333°N 0.91167°W / 53.02333; -0.91167 Site history Built 1939 (1939)/40 Built by John Laing & Son Ltd[1] In use 1940–1971 1975–present[2] Garrison information Current commander Group Captain Barry Dale[2] Occupants HQ No. 2 Flying Training School Central Gliding School No. 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron Airfield information Identifiers ICAO: EGXY, WMO: 03372 Elevation 69 metres (226 feet) AMSL Runways Direction Length and surface 06/24 1,827 metres (5,994 ft) asphalt 15/33 1,347 metres (4,419 ft) asphalt 11/29 1,292 metres (4,239 ft) asphalt 02/20 grass

**Royal Air Force Syerston**,[2] commonly known simply as **RAF Syerston** ([ICAO](/source/ICAO_airport_code): **EGXY**), is a [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) [station](/source/List_of_Royal_Air_Force_stations) in the parish of [Flintham](/source/Flintham), near [Newark](/source/Newark%2C_England), [Nottinghamshire](/source/Nottinghamshire), England. Opened in 1940, it was used by the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) (RAF) as a bomber base during the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War), operating [Vickers Wellingtons](/source/Vickers_Wellington), [Avro Manchesters](/source/Avro_Manchester), and the [Avro Lancaster](/source/Avro_Lancaster) heavy bombers.[3] Post-war, it became home to [Jet Provosts](/source/BAC_Jet_Provost) of the [2 Flying Training School](/source/No._2_Flying_Training_School_RAF). It is now home to the [Royal Air Force Central Gliding School](/source/Central_Gliding_School).[2]

## History

### Bomber Command

See also: [RAF Bomber Command](/source/RAF_Bomber_Command)

[Wing Commander](/source/Wing_Commander) F R Jeffs, OC [No. 207 Squadron RAF](/source/No._207_Squadron_RAF), wishes his aircrews good luck at RAF Syerston, before they board their aircraft for a night raid on Bremen, Germany.  207 Sqn were detached from their base at Bottesford, Leicestershire, to Syerston in August 1942, and moved from Bottesford/Syerston to Langar, Nottinghamshire, the following month.

Armourers make final checks on the bomb load of an [Avro Lancaster B Mk I](/source/Avro_Lancaster) of [No. 207 Squadron RAF](/source/No._207_Squadron_RAF) at Syerston, Nottinghamshire, before a night bombing operation to Bremen, Germany, 13 September 1942.  The mixed load (Bomber Command executive codeword 'Usual'), consists of a 4,000 lb HC bomb ('cookie') and small bomb containers (SBCs) filled with 30 lb incendiaries, with the addition of four 250 lb target indicators (TI).

RAF Syerston was built as part of the bomber expansion in the late 1930s, but did not open until 1 December [1940](/source/1940_in_the_United_Kingdom). The first aircraft were [Vickers Wellingtons](/source/Vickers_Wellington)[2] crewed by [Polish](/source/Poland) flyers who had joined the RAF. In July [1941](/source/1941_in_the_United_Kingdom), they were replaced by members of the [Royal Canadian Air Force](/source/Royal_Canadian_Air_Force) (RCAF), flying [Handley-Page Hampdens](/source/Handley-Page_Hampden). From December 1941 until 5 May [1942](/source/1942_in_the_United_Kingdom), the base was closed whilst a concrete [runway](/source/Runway) was built with two T2 hangars. When it re-opened, it became part of [No. 5 Group](/source/No._5_Group_RAF). In 1942, several squadrons of [Avro Lancaster](/source/Avro_Lancaster) aircraft arrived.[3] No. 61 Conversion Flight between May and August 1942 with Manchesters and Lancasters[4] and No. 408 Conversion Flight between May and June 1942 used the airfield supporting their respective squadrons.[4] The airfield was used as a Relief Landing Ground for No. 16 (Polish) SFTS during Winter 1942/43[5]

In March [1943](/source/1943_in_the_United_Kingdom), [Wing Commander](/source/Wing_Commander) [Guy Gibson](/source/Guy_Gibson) was commanding officer of [106 Sqn](/source/No._106_Squadron_RAF) at Syerston, before he was given the task of forming [617 Sqn](/source/617_Sqn) – *The Dambusters*, at [RAF Coningsby](/source/RAF_Coningsby).[6]

On 3/4 November 1943, [Bill Reid](/source/William_Reid_(VC)) of [61 Squadron](/source/No._61_Squadron_RAF) was awarded a [Victoria Cross](/source/Victoria_Cross) on a mission flown from Syerston.[1]

On 17 November 1943, the operational squadrons departed, and the station was used for bomber crew [training](/source/Flight_training),[2] led by Captain Robert White. No. 1668 Heavy Conversion Unit joined on 17 November 1943 and became No. 5 Lancaster Finishing School four days later.[7] No. 1485 (Bombing) Gunnery Flight between November 1943 and February 1944.[8] From November 1943 to July 1944, there was also No. 1690 (Bomber) Defence Training Flight in attendance with several Wellingtons, [Spitfires](/source/Spitfire), [Hurricanes](/source/Hawker_Hurricane), plus a few [Martinet](/source/Miles_Martinet) tug aircraft; all employed in brushing up the skills of [air gunners](/source/Air_gunner) on air-to-air exercises. The LFS left on 1 April [1945](/source/1945_in_the_United_Kingdom), with [No. 49 Squadron](/source/No._49_Squadron_RAF) arriving from [RAF Fulbeck](/source/RAF_Fulbeck) later in the month who only had one operation before leaving to [RAF Mepal](/source/RAF_Mepal) in September.[3] Bomber Command Film Flight Unit between April and October 1945 used the airfield.[9]

### Post-war use

[Harvard IIB](/source/North_American_T-6_Texan) trainer of [No. 22 Flying Training School](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._22_Flying_Training_School_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1) (22 FTS) landing at RAF Syerston in July [1954](/source/1954_in_the_United_Kingdom)

On 25 October 1945, the station became part of [Transport Command](/source/Transport_Command)[2] with [No. 1668 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF](/source/No._1668_Heavy_Conversion_Unit_RAF) arriving from [RAF Leicester East](/source/RAF_Leicester_East), which stayed until 5 January [1948](/source/1948_in_the_United_Kingdom) when it moved to [RAF Dishforth](/source/RAF_Dishforth). No. 1331 Heavy Transport Conversion Unit reformed here on 15 December 1946 with the Halifax A.7, the unit was disbanded on 5 January 1948.[4] No. 1333 (Transport Support) Conversion Unit arrived October 1945, absorbing No. 1385 Heavy Transport Conversion Unit during July 1946, became No. 1333 Transport Support Training Unit during July 1946 then moved to North Luffenham during January 1948.[4]

Syerston was taken over by [Flying Training Command](/source/Flying_Training_Command) on 1 February 1948, when [No. 22 Service Flying Training School](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._22_Service_Flying_Training_School_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1) (22 SFTS) arrived from [RAF Ouston](/source/RAF_Ouston), the unit was renamed to No. 22 FTS one day later, the unit trained pilots for the [Fleet Air Arm](/source/Fleet_Air_Arm) (FAA). Other nearby RAF airfields used for flying circuits were [RAF Newton](/source/RAF_Newton) (February 1948 - November 1951) and [RAF Tollerton](/source/Nottingham_Airport) (November 1951 - May 1955). The training school became [No. 1 Flying Training School](/source/No._1_Flying_Training_School) (1 FTS) on [1 May 1955](/source/1955_in_the_United_Kingdom).[2]

In late February 1965, the [South Notts Hunt](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=South_Notts_Hunt&action=edit&redlink=1) crossed the airfield, with jet aircraft taking off.[10] Night flying stopped in September 1969.[11] In June 1969 the station had 700 personnel, with 77 women in the WRAF.[12]

The flying training school was disbanded on 16 January [1970](/source/1970_in_the_United_Kingdom) when the need for pilots had diminished, and the station lay vacant. Syerston was placed under care and maintenance from [1971](/source/1971_in_the_United_Kingdom)[2] and used as a Relief Landing Ground for RAF College during 1972.[13]

In 1975 part of the station was re-opened when the Air Cadets Central Gliding School moved from RAF Spitalgate to Syerston.[14]

## Role and operations

643 VGS joined in October 1992,[15] followed by No. 645 VGS from April 1998 until 2005.[15] Most of the original station buildings were demolished in [1997](/source/1997_in_the_United_Kingdom) except for two hangars, the [air traffic control tower](/source/Air_traffic_control_tower), and one H-block.[3]

In January 2014, the [Central Gliding School](/source/Central_Gliding_School) (CGS) and [No. 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron](/source/Volunteer_Gliding_Squadron) have been based at Syerston.[2]

2014 saw the reformation of [No. 2 Flying Training School](/source/No._2_Flying_Training_School) (2 FTS) at Syerston, along with a permanent home for Headquarters No. 2 Flying Training School (HQ 2 FTS), the [Royal Air Force Central Gliding School](/source/Central_Gliding_School) (RAF CGS), and [No. 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron](/source/Volunteer_Gliding_Squadron) (644 VGS).[2]

## List of Station Commanders

- 1948, Group Captain Edward Hugh Markham David CBE DFC (10 January 1901 - 10 August 1957), awarded the DFC in September 1941, awarded the CBE in the [1950 New Year Honours](/source/1950_New_Year_Honours), he married Muriel Sanderson Robins (1901–90), of [Boston, Lincolnshire](/source/Boston%2C_Lincolnshire) on 29 June 1937, had children Jeremy, Diana, Carol and Hilary; he died aged 56 in August 1957 in Billingshurst.[16]

- 1950, Group Captain George Francis Wheaton Heycock DFC (17 September 1909 - 27 June 1983), the son of Rev Francis Wheaton Heycock of Roehampton, becoming a test pilot in Hampshire[17]

- March 1955, Group Captain H T Bennett[18]

- 20 November 1957, Group Captain John Hubert Lempriere Blount DFC (24 November 1919 - 7 December 1967),[19] Air Commodore Blount was killed aged 48 at 9.15am on Thursday 7 December 1967 in a red-coloured [Westland Whirlwind](/source/Westland_Whirlwind_(helicopter)), one of two, of the Queen's Flight, in a crash which killed four RAF officers, 35-year-old Queen's Flight engineering officer Squadron Leader Michael Hermon of Avon Road in Devizes, the pilot 49-year-old Squadron Leader Jack Liversedge DFC, and the navigator 36-year-old Flight Lieutenant Ronald Fisher. A rotor blade had sheared off, at a height of 500 feet.[20][21]

- February 1960, Group Captain Gerald Bernard Warner CBE DFC, aged 42, awarded the CBE in the [1962 Birthday Honours](/source/1962_Birthday_Honours);[22] he was born in 1917, from St Helens, and attended Cowley Grammar School, and was a nephew of the headmaster Gerald Dowse;[23] he married on 2 March 1940 at Rainhill Parish Church[24]

- 1 August 1962, Group Captain James William Louw DFC, with a 19-year-old daughter, born 2 January 1943, who had joined the WRAF at [RAF Jurby](/source/RAF_Jurby);[25] he was born in [Heidelberg, Gauteng](/source/Heidelberg%2C_Gauteng) in 1918,[26] the son of Tobias Louw of [Germiston](/source/Germiston), he had joined the RAF in 1938,[27] when a Flight Lieutenant in 240 Squadron he was awarded the DFC[28] and married Joan Barbara Grainger of Belfast on 25 July 1941 at [Killadeas](/source/Killadeas) church,[29] and flew [Henri Giraud](/source/Henri_Giraud) out of France in April 1942, and was the first person to fly the [Consolidated PBY Catalina](/source/Consolidated_PBY_Catalina) operationally[30]

- 5 August 1967, Group Captain [Rex David Roe](/source/Rex_Roe) (4 May 1925 – 3 November 2002), later Air Chief Marshal,[31] he had previously been three years stationed at [RAF Pitreavie Castle](/source/RAF_Pitreavie_Castle)[32]

## Based units

RAF [Viking T Mk1](/source/Grob_G103a_Twin_II) (ZE625), a type currently based at Syerston, used by the [Royal Air Force Air Cadets](/source/Royal_Air_Force_Air_Cadets).

Notable units based at RAF Syerston.[2]

**[No. 22 Group (Training) RAF](/source/No._22_Group_RAF) (22 Grp)**

- [No. 2 Flying Training School](/source/No._2_Flying_Training_School) (2 FTS) - Headquarters No. 2 Flying Training School (HQ 1 FTS) - [Central Gliding School](/source/Central_Gliding_School) (CGS) – [Grob Viking T1](/source/Grob_G103a_Twin_II) - [No. 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron](/source/Volunteer_Gliding_Squadron) (644 VGS) – Grob Viking T1

### Parented units

Royal Air Force Syerston is parent to four satellite airfields, namely [RAF Kenley](/source/RAF_Kenley), [RAF Kirknewton](/source/RAF_Kirknewton), [RAF Topcliffe](/source/RAF_Topcliffe), and [RAF Little Rissington](/source/RAF_Little_Rissington).[2]

## Historical units

- [No. 49 Squadron RAF](/source/No._49_Squadron_RAF) (22 April 1945 – 28 September 1945) — [Avro Lancaster I & III](/source/Avro_Lancaster)[33]

- [No. 61 Squadron RAF](/source/No._61_Squadron_RAF) (5 May 1942 – 17 November 1943) — [Avro Lancaster I, II & III](/source/Avro_Lancaster)[34]

- [No. 106 Squadron RAF](/source/No._106_Squadron_RAF) (1 October 1942 – 17 November 1943) — [Avro Lancaster I & III](/source/Avro_Lancaster)[35]

- [No. 304 (Polish) Squadron RAF](/source/No._304_(Polish)_Squadron_RAF) (December 1940 – 20 July 1941) — [Vickers Wellington IC](/source/Vickers_Wellington)[36]

- [No. 305 (Polish) Squadron RAF](/source/No._305_(Polish)_Squadron_RAF) (December 1940 – 20 July 1941) — [Vickers Wellington IC](/source/Vickers_Wellington)[36]

- [No. 408 Squadron RCAF](/source/No._408_Squadron_RCAF) (July 1941 – 8 December 1941) — [Handley Page Hampden](/source/Handley_Page_Hampden)[37]

- [No. 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron RAuxAF](/source/No._504_Squadron_RAF) (May 1946 – April 1947) — [de Havilland Mosquito](/source/De_Havilland_Mosquito)[38]

- Four Counties Gliding Club[39]

- Loughborough Students Union Gliding Club[39]

- Nottingham Air Touring Group[39]

- RAF Syerston Flying Club[39]

- No. 27 Heavy Glider Maintenance Section[39]

- [No. 2727 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2727_Squadron_RAF_Regiment)[39]

## Incidents

'At Home' part programme cover

Main article: [1958 Syerston Avro Vulcan crash](/source/1958_Syerston_Avro_Vulcan_crash)

On 20 September [1958](/source/1958_in_the_United_Kingdom), the prototype [Avro Vulcan](/source/Avro_Vulcan) VX770 crashed during a fly past at RAF Syerston [Battle of Britain](/source/Battle_of_Britain) *At Home* display. A [Rolls-Royce](/source/Rolls-Royce_Limited) test pilot was authorised to fly VX770 on an engine performance sortie with a fly past at the Battle of Britain display. The briefing was for the pilot to fly over the [airfield](/source/Airfield) twice at 200–300 [feet](/source/Foot_(unit)) (60–90 [metres](/source/Metre)), flying at a speed of 250–300 [knots](/source/Knot_(unit)) (460–560 [kilometres per hour](/source/Kilometres_per_hour); 290–350 [miles per hour](/source/Miles_per_hour)). The Vulcan flew along the main 07/25 [runway](/source/Runway) (now 06/24 due to [magnetic shift](/source/Geomagnetic_secular_variation)), then started a [roll](/source/Aircraft_principal_axes#Longitudinal_axis_(roll)) to starboard and climbed slightly. Very shortly after, a kink appeared in the starboard mainplane [leading edge](/source/Leading_edge), followed by a stripping of the leading edge of the [wing](/source/Wing). The starboard [wingtip](/source/Wingtip) then broke, followed by a collapse of the [main spar](/source/Spar_(aviation)) and wing structure. Subsequently, the Vulcan went into a [dive](/source/Descent_(aeronautics)#Dives), and began rolling with the starboard wing on fire, and struck the ground at the [taxiway](/source/Taxiway) end of runway 07. Three occupants of a controllers' caravan were killed by debris, a fourth being injured. All the crew of the Vulcan were killed. Proposed causes of the accident have included [pilot error](/source/Pilot_error), [fatigue](/source/Fatigue_(material)) failure, and inadequate [maintenance](/source/Aircraft_maintenance).[40]

## See also

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

- [Air Training Corps](/source/Air_Training_Corps)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFalconer2012188_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFalconer2012188_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFalconer2012188_1-2) [Falconer 2012](#CITEREFFalconer2012), p. 188.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-RAF.MoD.uk-org_2-12) ["RAF Syerston"](https://www.RAF.MoD.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-syerston/). *RAF.mod.uk*. [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) – [Ministry of Defence](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(United_Kingdom)). Retrieved 15 November 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FWR_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FWR_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FWR_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FWR_3-3) ["Unit History: RAF Syerston"](https://www.Forces-War-Records.co.uk/units/703/raf-syerston). *Forces-War-Records.co.uk*. Forces War Records. Retrieved 15 November 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin200796_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin200796_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin200796_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin200796_4-3) [Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlin2007), p. 96.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin2007137_5-0)** [Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlin2007), p. 137.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Wing Commander Guy Gibson"](https://www.RAFBF.org/news-and-blogs/wing-commander-guy-gibson). *RAFBF.org*. [RAF Benevolent Fund](/source/RAF_Benevolent_Fund). May 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin200799_7-0)** [Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlin2007), p. 99.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin2007124_8-0)** [Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlin2007), p. 124.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin200779_9-0)** [Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlin2007), p. 79.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** *The People* Sunday 28 February 1965, page 1

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** *Nottingham Evening Post* Friday 18 April 1969

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** *Nottingham Guardian Journal* Thursday 5 June 1969, page 3

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin2007227_13-0)** [Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlin2007), p. 227.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["History of RAF Syerston · IBCC Digital Archive"](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/36249). *ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin2007148_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlin2007148_15-1) [Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlin2007), p. 148.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** *West Sussex Gazette* Thursday 15 August 1957, page 1

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Battle of Britain London Monument - S/Ldr. G F W Heycock"](https://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Heycock.htm). *www.bbm.org.uk*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** *Times* Monday 24 January 1955, page 10

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** *Newark Advertiser* Wednesday 27 November 1957

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** *Nottingham Guardian Journal* Friday 8 December 1967, page 11

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** *Liverpool Daily Post* Friday 8 December 1967, page 5

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** *Newark Advertiser* Wednesday 10 February 1960, page 9

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** *Liverpool Echo* Saturday 18 May 1940, page 4

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** *Liverpool Echo* Saturday 2 March 1940, page 3

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** *Newark Advertiser* Wednesday 1 August 1962, page 16

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** *Liverpool Echo* Saturday 27 September 1941, page 4

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** *Newark Advertiser* Wednesday 10 March 1965, page 8

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** *The Scotsman* Friday 27 June 1941, page 7

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** *Belfast News-Letter* Monday 28 July 1941, page 1

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** *Belfast Telegraph* Tuesday 2 January 1945, page 3

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** *Nottingham Evening Post* Wednesday 5 July 1967, page 11

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** *Newark Advertiser* Saturday 12 August 1967, page 20

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198841_33-0)** [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 41.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198844_34-0)** [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 44.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198855_35-0)** [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 55.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198885_36-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198885_36-1) [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 85.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198890_37-0)** [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 90.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198895_38-0)** [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 95.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ABCT_39-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ABCT_39-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ABCT_39-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ABCT_39-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-ABCT_39-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-ABCT_39-5) ["Syerston"](https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/syerston/). [Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust](/source/Airfields_of_Britain_Conservation_Trust). Retrieved 5 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** ["BBC video 50th Anniversary of Vulcan crash"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7626243.stm). [BBC News](/source/BBC_News). 19 September 2008.

## Sources

- 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).

- 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).

- Sturtivant, R.; Hamlin, J. (2007). *Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912*. 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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [RAF Syerston](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:RAF_Syerston).

- [RAF Syerston](https://www.RAF.MoD.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-syerston/) — official website at www.RAF.MoD.uk

- [No. 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron](http://www.644VGS.org/)

- [UK Military Aeronautical Information Publication – Syerston (EGXY)](https://www.AIDU.MoD.uk/aip/pdf/ad/EGXY-Syerston-Combined.pdf)

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 Active Royal Air Force stations United Kingdom Front-line flying Benson Brize Norton Coningsby Lossiemouth Marham Northolt Odiham Waddington Support and administrative Barnham Leeming Henlow High Wycombe Honington Wittering Training Barkston Heath Cosford Cranwell Halton Shawbury Spadeadam St Athan St Mawgan Syerston Valley Woodvale Air Surveillance & Control System Boulmer Benbecula Brizlee Wood Buchan Neatishead Portreath Saxa Vord Staxton Wold Intelligence gathering Digby Wyton Space surveillance Fylingdales US visiting forces Alconbury Barford St John Blenheim Crescent Croughton Fairford Feltwell Lakenheath Menwith Hill Mildenhall Molesworth Welford Overseas Permanent joint operating bases Akrotiri Ascension Island Gibraltar Mount Pleasant

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