Also known as Hibaldstow Airfield
The story of RAF Hibaldstow
Beaufighters replaced the Defiants that June. No. 253 (Hyderabad) Squadron arrived from Orkney in September 1941. Havocs came from Hunsdon to work with it. Fears of night attack closed the airfield on 23 January 1943. It reopened on 9 May 1943 for No. 53 Operational Training Unit, and closed again on 15 May 1945.
Shortly before, WAAF Margaret Horton sat on a Spitfire's tail to weigh it down while it taxied. This was common practice on the bumpy grass. The pilot forgot she was there and took off with her still on the tail. He sensed something wrong and landed safely, and she survived. The station closed on 6 August 1947 and was sold for farming in 1960–61. The control tower became a house in 1976. Since 1992 the airfield has been a busy parachute centre. The North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is beside it.
Flying units
| Unit | Years | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| No. 255 Squadron | 1941–1941 | Boulton Paul Defiant, Bristol Beaufighter IIF |
| No. 253 (Hyderabad) Squadron | 1941 | |
| Havoc detachment from RAF Hunsdon | Douglas Havoc | |
| No. 53 Operational Training Unit | 1943–1945 |
What survives
- The control tower, converted to a house in 1976
- The airfield, a parachute centre since 1992
The museum on the airfield
| Museum | Adult entry | Airframes | Headline exhibit |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage CentreBrigg, Lincolnshire | Free | — | North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at Hibaldstow: a young, fast-improving volunteer site with an underground battle HQ bunker… |