# RAF Yeadon

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Royal Air Force base in Yorkshire

RAF Yeadon Yeadon, Bradford in England Site information Type Military airfield Owner Air Ministry Operator Royal Air Force Controlled by RAF Bomber Command RAF Fighter Command RAF Flying Training Command Open to the public Yes - for public flights Condition Extant Location Coordinates 53°52′01″N 1°39′43″W / 53.867°N 1.662°W / 53.867; -1.662 Grid reference SE222410 Site history Built 1939 – 1957 Airfield information Elevation 669 feet (204 m) AMSL

**RAF Yeadon** was a [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) [flying station](/source/Royal_Air_Force_station#Physical_layout) at [Yeadon](/source/Yeadon%2C_West_Yorkshire), near [Bradford](/source/Bradford), in [West Yorkshire](/source/West_Yorkshire), England. The site was used in the [Second World War](/source/World_War_II) and by some flying squadrons after the war had ended. It is now known as [Leeds Bradford Airport](/source/Leeds_Bradford_Airport). Civilian flying activity ceased during wartime and the airfield was requisitioned for military use, though normal RAF use ceased by 1941, with the site mostly being used for training or by ferry pool pilots flying aircraft out from the adjacent aircraft factory. [No. 609 Squadron](/source/No._609_Squadron_RAuxAF) used the site between 1936 and 1939, and they returned after the war but had left the site again by 1950, and the RAF permanently vacated the airfield by 1957.

## History

The airfield at Yeadon was opened in 1931 at a height of 669 feet (204 m)[note 1] above sea level, and is 7 miles (11 km) north-west of [Leeds](/source/Leeds), and 6 miles (9.7 km) north-east of Bradford.[4][1] At first the site was a grassed field that covered 60 acres (24 ha) and had minimal facilities.[5] The first significant RAF presence came in the form of No. 609 Squadron RAuxAF, which formed at Yeadon on 10 February 1936, with temporary hangars at the north-western corner of the airfield.[6][7] Originally, 609 Squadron formed as a light bomber unit, and so was assigned to [Bomber Command](/source/Bomber_Command), but by December 1938, the squadron had transferred to [Fighter Command](/source/RAF_Fighter_Command).[8] The outbreak of war saw a curtailment of civilian aircraft flights and most aerodromes and airfields were requisitioned for military flying, which included Yeadon.[9] The base was allocated to [No. 13 Group](/source/No._13_Group_RAF) by the Royal Air Force, and was then later moved into [No. 12 Group](/source/No._12_Group_RAF) until 1941 under Fighter Command.[10][11]

No. 51 Group Communications moved their headquarters to RAF Yeadon in August 1939, having formed at [Hendon](/source/Hendon_Aerodrome) some three months earlier.[12] By 1940, the RAF footprint had increased exponentially with the intention of building five Bellman hangars, and new accommodation huts had been erected. A watchtower was built in 1940, which had a good overall sight of the airfield area.[9] The site was predominantly used as a scatter airfield for Whitley Armstrong aircraft of No.s 51 and 58 Squadrons, based at [RAF Driffield](/source/RAF_Driffield) and [RAF Linton-on-Ouse](/source/RAF_Linton-on-Ouse) respectively.[9][13] No. 4 Bomber Group Central Maintenance Organisation formed at Yeadon on 6 October 1940 to carry out repairs and overhauls on the Whitleys belonging to [No. 4 Group](/source/No._4_Group_RAF) of Bomber Command.[14]

Fighter Command had found that the site was too far north to be of any use during the first year of the war, so by early 1941, it was turned over to [No. 51 Group RAF](/source/No._51_Group_RAF), part of Flying Training Command.[9][15] With the completion of the aircraft factory, the site was handed over to the [Ministry of Aircraft Production](/source/Ministry_of_Aircraft_Production), with the flying training activities becoming a [lodger unit](/source/Royal_Air_Force_station#Lodger_units).[9][note 2] No. 20 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) formed at Yeadon in 1941, with Tiger Moths being sent in from No. 12 EFTS at [Prestwick](/source/RAF_Prestwick) which had been disbanded.[18] Training of pilots carried on until January 1942, when No. 20 EFTS was disbanded. The EFTS had trained over 250 pilots during its tenure, and responsibility for the airfield and the environs, was handed over to Blackburn Aircraft Factory, who had a presence with the aircraft factory at the northern end of the site.[19]

In January 1947, the base was handed over to the Ministry of Civil Aviation who resumed club flying and domestic airlines, initially to the [Isle of Man](/source/Isle_of_Man).[20] The final RAF involvement was No. 1964 Flight of 664 Squadron, which departed in March 1957.[21]

No [badge](/source/Heraldic_badges_of_the_Royal_Air_Force) was issued for RAF Yeadon, but there are two memorials inside the terminal building that commemorate the time period that No. 609 Squadron spent at the site.[22][23][24]

## Shadow factory

In 1940, the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) built a [shadow](/source/British_shadow_factories) factory just to the north of the airfield and set about forming the site to be a launch airfield for new aircraft.[9] Extensive effort was made into keeping the site of the factory a secret from aerial observation; grassed banks were built up on all sides at a 45 degree angle, a duck pond and fake animals were placed upon the roof (which were moved from time to time), the pattern of the fields before the factory's construction was painted out on the roof, and the hedges and trees were foliated or de-foliated depending upon the time of year.[25] The factory had a floorspace of 1,514,190 square feet (140,673 m2), and was thought to be the largest factory under a single roof and free-standing structure in Europe.[26][27] A 30-foot (9.1 m) roadway was built connecting the factory with the airfield so that aircraft could be towed onto the runway and flown out of the base directly.[26] Even with a large number of outgoing flights, the base never had a Ferry Pool flight assigned to it,[28] with flying duties falling to [No. 7 Ferry Pilots Pool](/source/No._7_Ferry_Pilots_Pool_ATA) based at [RAF Sherburn-in-Elmet](/source/RAF_Sherburn-in-Elmet).[29]

The factory was producing 130 [Ansons](/source/Avro_Anson) a month, and it total over the course of the war, it had produced over 4,000 Ansons with enough spares for 900 more.[30][31] The factory also produced 668 [Lancasters](/source/Avro_Lancaster), and an additional small number of [Yorks](/source/Avro_York) and [Lincolns](/source/Avro_Lincoln).[28] Work at the factory ceased in August 1946, with the last aircraft being delivered on the 16th of that month.[29]

## Based units

The following military units were based at RAF Yeadon:

Units based at RAF Yeadon Units Dates Details Ref No. 4 Bomber Group Central Maintenance Organisation 6 October 1940 – March 1941 Formed at Yeadon, moved to Dishforth, then Clifton [18] No. 6 AACU [2] No. 9 Air Experience Flight 8 September 1958 Became a flight within the Yorkshire University Air Squadron [32] No. 20 Elementary Flying Training School 1 March 1941 – 9 January 1942 Formed and disbanded at Yeadon [33] No. 23 Gliding School May 1943 – Formed at Yeadon [34] No. 51 Group Communications Flight January 1940 – 14 July 1947 Formed and disbanded at Yeadon [35] No. 609 Squadron 10 February 1936 – 27 August 1939 5 November 1946 – 18 October 1950 Formed at RAF Yeadon in 1936, departed for Catterick in September 1939 [36][6][28] No. 1964 Reserve Air Observation Post Flight 1 September 1949 – 10 March 1957 Formed as a flight of No, 664 Squadron, based at Andover [37] No. 3609 Fighter Control Unit (West Riding) 22 September 1948 – 31 January 1961 [38][39] Leeds University Air Squadron 22 April 1947 – 1 may 1948 18 March 1954 – 2 November 1959 Later moved to Church Fenton[note 3] [28]

## Notable personnel

- [Geoffrey Ambler](/source/Geoffrey_Ambler), officer commanding No. 609 Squadron at Yeadon from 1938 to 1939[41]

- [John Dundas](/source/John_Dundas_(RAF_officer)), fighter pilot, joined 609 Squadron whilst they were at Yeadon[42]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Elevation_4-0)** Various heights are offered from different sources, such as 653 feet (199 m) (Myers), 681 feet (208 m) (ABCT), and 682 feet (208 m) (Laming). The stated height of 669 feet (204 m) is taken from an [Ordnance Survey](/source/Ordnance_Survey) map which shows that a point where the newer 14/32 runway intersects with the old north/south runway is the highest point.[1][2][3]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Lodgers_19-0)** In United Kingdom military parlance, a lodger unit is one that does not belong to the administrative hierarchy of the base that it is located on. For example, at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire is JFACTSU, but they are part of the [Joint Force Air Component Headquarters](/source/Joint_Force_Air_Component_Headquarters) based in Air Command at [RAF High Wycombe](/source/RAF_High_Wycombe).[16][17]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Air_Squadron_Universities_43-0)** Leeds University Air Squadron merged with Hull University Air Squadron in March 1969 to become [Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron](/source/Yorkshire_Universities_Air_Squadron) (YUAS).[40]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMyers19958_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMyers19958_1-1) [Myers 1995](#CITEREFMyers1995), p. 8.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ABCT_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ABCT_2-1) ["Yeadon (Leeds/Bradford) - Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust UK"](https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/yeadon-leeds-bradford/). *www.abct.org.uk*. Retrieved 1 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Laming, Tim (2000). *UK airports and airfields: a spotter's guide*. Shrewsbury: Airlife. p. 108. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1853109789](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1853109789).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** "297" (Map). *Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley*. 1:25,000. Explorer. Ordnance Survey. 2015. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-319-24549-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-319-24549-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** McLelland, Tim (2012). *Action Stations revisited – the complete history of Britain's military airfields: No. 6 Northern England and the Isle of Man*. Manchester: Crecy Publishing. p. 278. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780859791120](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780859791120).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPhillips201223_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPhillips201223_7-1) [Phillips 2012](#CITEREFPhillips2012), p. 23.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Philpott, Ian (2008). *The Royal Air Force - Volume 2: An Encyclopedia of the Inter-War Years 1930-1939*. Barnsley: Pen and Sword. p. 303. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84415-391-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84415-391-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMyers199513_9-0)** [Myers 1995](#CITEREFMyers1995), p. 13.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPhillips201224_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPhillips201224_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPhillips201224_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPhillips201224_10-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPhillips201224_10-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPhillips201224_10-5) [Phillips 2012](#CITEREFPhillips2012), p. 24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelve2006279_11-0)** [Delve 2006](#CITEREFDelve2006), p. 279.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Oliver, David (2000). *Fighter Command 1939-45 : From the Battle of Britain to the Fall of Berlin*. London: Harper Collins. p. 232. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0007629087](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0007629087).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Ranter, Harro. ["Incident Miles Magister Mk I L8344, 07 Nov 1939"](https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/215982). *aviation-safety.net*. Retrieved 1 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMyers199517_14-0)** [Myers 1995](#CITEREFMyers1995), p. 17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny1982196_15-0)** [Halpenny 1982](#CITEREFHalpenny1982), p. 196.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Jacobs, Peter (2017). *Bomber Command Airfields of Yorkshire*. Barnsley: Pen and Sword. p. 214. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-78346-331-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-78346-331-2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Security upgrades to Boscombe Down military base approved"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-68151815). *BBC News*. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["No.11 Group"](https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/groups/no-11-group/). *raf.mod.uk*. Retrieved 1 May 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMyers199529_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMyers199529_20-1) [Myers 1995](#CITEREFMyers1995), p. 29.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMyers199530_21-0)** [Myers 1995](#CITEREFMyers1995), p. 30.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny1982198_22-0)** [Halpenny 1982](#CITEREFHalpenny1982), p. 198.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny1982200_23-0)** [Halpenny 1982](#CITEREFHalpenny1982), p. 200.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["609 Sqn | RAF Heraldry Trust"](https://www.rafht.co.uk/index.php/2016/06/11/609-sqn/). *rafht.co.uk*. Retrieved 1 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Smith, David J. (1992). *Britain's Aviation Memorials and Mementoes*. Patrick Stephens. p. 76. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85260-395-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85260-395-X).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** McIntyre, Annette (10 February 2016). ["RAF fly-over marks 80th anniversary at Leeds Bradford Airport"](https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/14267191.raf-fly-over-marks-80th-anniversary-at-leeds-bradford-airport/). *Bradford Telegraph and Argus*. Retrieved 1 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMyers199528–29_27-0)** [Myers 1995](#CITEREFMyers1995), pp. 28–29.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny1982197_28-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHalpenny1982197_28-1) [Halpenny 1982](#CITEREFHalpenny1982), p. 197.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Bond, Chris (18 October 2011). ["Aerodrome that became Yorkshire's gateway to the world"](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/aerodrome-that-became-yorkshires-gateway-to-the-world-1918757). *Yorkshire Post*. Retrieved 1 May 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelve2006281_30-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelve2006281_30-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelve2006281_30-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelve2006281_30-3) [Delve 2006](#CITEREFDelve2006), p. 281.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOtter1998293_31-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOtter1998293_31-1) [Otter 1998](#CITEREFOtter1998), p. 293.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDelve2006280_32-0)** [Delve 2006](#CITEREFDelve2006), p. 280.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMyers199531_33-0)** [Myers 1995](#CITEREFMyers1995), p. 31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake199915_34-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake199962_35-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 62.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake1999111_36-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 111.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake1999123_37-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 123.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake1999270_38-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 270.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake1999101_39-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 101.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** ["Auxiliary Air Force/Royal Auxiliary Air Force Units"](https://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/AuxAF1.htm). *www.rafweb.org*. Retrieved 1 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** ["Fighter Control Units - Hansard - UK Parliament"](https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/1960-12-09/debates/02b92bf1-a15f-444e-bd2d-1dd549c75587/FighterControlUnits). *hansard.parliament.uk*. Retrieved 1 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake1999314_42-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 314.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** Winterburn, Emily (25 September 2014). "Ambler, Geoffrey Hill". *[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography](/source/Dictionary_of_National_Biography#Oxford_Dictionary_of_National_Biography)* (online ed.). Oxford University Press. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/ref:odnb/46570](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fref%3Aodnb%2F46570). (Subscription, [Wikipedia Library](https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/partners/88/) access or [UK public library membership](https://www.oxforddnb.com/help/subscribe#public) required.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-45)** Franks, Norman (1980). *Wings of freedom: twelve Battle of Britain pilots*. London: W. Kimber. p. 178. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0718301978](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0718301978).

### Sources

- 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).

- Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore (1982). *Action Stations 4. Military Airfields of Yorkshire*. Cambridge: Patrick Stephens. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-85059-532-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-85059-532-0).

- 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).

- Myers, Gerald (1995). *Mother worked at Avro*. Warrington: Compaid Graphics. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9517965-7-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9517965-7-7).

- Otter, Patrick (1998). *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).

- Phillips, Alan (2012). *Leeds Bradford Airport Through Time*. Stroud: Amberley. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4456-0609-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4456-0609-5).

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