RAF Lilbourne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
RAF Lilbourne
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Military | ||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | The Air Board Air Ministry |
||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | Royal Flying Corps Royal Air Force |
||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Lilbourne | ||||||||||||||||||
| Built | 1915 | ||||||||||||||||||
| In use | 1916-1920 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 322 ft / 98 m | ||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 52°22′47″N 001°11′40″W / 52.37972°N 1.19444°W | ||||||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||||||
 RFC/RAF Lilbourne
Location in Warwickshire
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Runway | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
RAF Lilbourne was an important airbase for the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War I. It was located about 5.2 miles south of Lutterworth, in Leicestershire, England. This airfield was built in 1915 and was used for flying until around 1920.
Contents
History of RAF Lilbourne
RAF Lilbourne played a key role in training pilots and supporting air operations during World War I. Many different types of aircraft were based here.
Training Squadrons
Several squadrons used RAF Lilbourne to train new pilots. These training groups helped prepare airmen for combat.
- No. 10 Training Squadron: This squadron used Avro 504 and Sopwith Camel planes. They were based at Lilbourne from April 7, 1918, to June 25, 1918.
- No. 44 Reserve/Training Squadron: This group flew Avro 504s, DH4s, and Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.7s. They were at the airfield from November 2, 1916, to November 13, 1916.
- No. 55 Training Squadron: This squadron used Avro 504s, Sopwith Camels, Sopwith Pups, and Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5As. They operated from both Castle Bromwich Aerodrome and Lilbourne between January 15, 1918, and July 1918.
Operational Squadrons
RAF Lilbourne was also home to squadrons that took part in actual wartime missions.
- No. 55 Squadron RFC: This squadron used Avro 504s, BE2s, DH4s, and FK8s. They were based at both Castle Bromwich Aerodrome and Lilbourne from April 27, 1916, to March 6, 1917.
- No. 73 Squadron RFC: This group flew the Sopwith Camel. They were based at the airfield from July 10, 1917, to January 9, 1918.
- No. 84 Squadron RFC: This squadron used Avro 504s, Sopwith Camels, and Sopwith Pups at Lilbourne. They were there from March 23, 1917, to September 23, 1917.
Aircraft Incidents
Even with careful training, accidents sometimes happened. Here are some incidents that occurred at or near RAF Lilbourne:
- July 25, 1916: A BE2d aircraft (serial 5838) from 55 Squadron had an accident.
- June 9, 1917: An Avro 504 (serial 2923) from 73 Squadron crashed while spinning at Lilbourne.
- August 10, 1917: A Pup aircraft (A7326) from 84 Squadron spun into the ground at Lilbourne after one of its wings broke.
- December 7, 1917: A Camel aircraft (B5577) from 73 Squadron stalled during a turn at Lilbourne because its engine had problems.
- January 22, 1918: A Bristol F.2 Fighter (serial B1236) from 59 Training Squadron crashed near Lilbourne. The pilot was thrown out during aerobatic practice.
- March 24, 1918: A Pup aircraft (B7530) from 55 Training Squadron spun into the ground near Lilbourne.
What is There Now?
Today, the land where RAF Lilbourne once stood is mostly open fields. Part of the old airfield is now used as a large lorry (truck) park.
