FALDINGWORTH
Faldingworth was constructed on an isolated area of farmland covering
three parishes southeast of the River Ancholme, 4.5 miles from Market
Rasen. The contractors involved were Tarmac Ltd and J.Cryer & Sons
Ltd, with work totalling £810,000.
Site clearance of woodland and hedges began in July 1942 and runway
laying was completed by the following summer. Built to Class A standard,
the runway lengths were 08-26 at 2,000 yards, and 1,400 yards for
each of the subsidiaries, O1-1.9 and 13-31. Thirty-six hardstandings,
all loops, and two T2 and a single B1 hangar were provided. The dispersed
camp sites were towards Newton by Toft in the north-east, giving accommodation
for up to 1,957 males and 281 females.
No. 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit arrived in August 1943 flying Halifaxes
and Lancaster's, losing several in crashes before being moved to Sandtoft
in February 1944. This was to allow No.300 Squadron a more suitable
airfield from which to operate Lancaster's, conversion from Wellingtons
taking place when the squadron arrived at Faldingworth from Ingham's
grass surface. No.300 was the veteran Polish-manned bomber unit and
it was to remain at this station until disbanded in October 1945.
During its operations a total of 37 Lancaster's were lost flying from
Faldingworth, 32 of which were classified as failing to return.
After the war the station became a holding camp for Polish forces
with No. 305 Squadron flying its Mosquito's in from the Continent
prior to dispersal and eventual disbandment.
Although no further use was made of the airfield as an RAF flying
station, it was kept in a state of care and maintenance for some years.
In the early l95Os its comparatively isolated position in the Lincolnshire
countryside saw the airfield selected for development as one of the
major stores for nuclear weapons. Underground bunkers were built in
western part of the former flying field and surrounded by high fences,
with guard towers to afford tight security. For much of the next two
decades the main controlling agency was No. 92 Maintenance Unit. In
the early 1970s this central store was no longer required by the RAF
and the site was eventually taken over by an armaments manufacturer
associated with Royal Ordnance. This organisation used Faldingworth
for secure armament storage and experimentation until 1996 when this
facility was put up for sale. Royal Ordnance still retains part of
Faldingworth, security being maintained. In 1999 the main runway remains
intact and a single B1 hangar also survives. The major area of the
airfield, some 470 acres, was sold for agricultural use in 1998.
