Bomber County to be Remembered
03 May 2012 by Visit Scunthorpe EditorsIn the Second world war, North lincolnshire was home to several air fields which included fighter squadrons at Kirton in Lindsey, and heavy bombers at Elsham Wolds.
These airfields still exist, but have seen many different uses over time, including markets, special stages for motor sports events, sports aviation and business parks. Sandtoft now operates as a part industrial estate and private air field, where as Kirmington, home of the famous 166 squadron now operates as Humberside Airport.
North Lincolnshire Council have announced the launch of the Northern Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage project on Wednesday 9 May 2012.
The project focuses on just eight former airfields across Northern Lincolnshire, and looks at the contribution these bases made to the second world war.
The air fields selected for the project are RAF Elsham Wolds, RAF Goxhill, RAF Grimsby (Waltham Airfield), RAF Hibaldstow, RAF Kirton in Lindsey, RAF North Killingholme and RAF Sandtoft
Between them the bases hosted Supermarine Spitfires, Hurricanes, Wellington, Hallifax and Lancaster bombers and, in 1943 Kirton in Lindsey played host to a squadron of North American Mustangs.
During the war over 140 bombs were dropped on Scunthorpe, which was protected by a series of fighter bases and anti aircraft installations, some of which still remain today:
As part of the project, heritage boards have been installed at each of the sites, detailing the airfield’s history. A leaflet with information about the trails can be picked up from Brigg Tourist Information Centre and other attractions around the area after the launch.
As part of Museums at Night initiative, visitors can find out more about Elsham, Hibaldstow and Kirton in Lindsey. Elsham Wolds Memorial Rooms will be open to visitors on Friday 18 May between 6pm and 8.30pm and a special event will take place at Kirton in Lindsey Town Hall on Saturday 19 May between 6pm and 10pm to commemorate the airfields at Kirton and Hibaldstow, including a 1940s fashion show.
For more information, or to help or contribute to this project please call 01724 297536.
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