RAF Waterbeach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids RAF Waterbeach
Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire in England
1945 aerial photograph
RAF Waterbeach Show map of Cambridgeshire RAF Waterbeach Show map of the United Kingdom Shown within Cambridgeshire
Coordinates	52°16′28″N 000°11′24″E / 52.27444°N 0.19000°E / 52.27444; 0.19000
Grid reference	TL495665
Type	Royal Air Force station
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	Royal Air Force
Controlled by	RAF Bomber Command (1941-45) * No. 3 Group RAF RAF Transport Command (1945-50) RAF Fighter Command (1950-) * No. 11 Group RAF RAF Training Command * No. 38 Group RAF
Site history
Built	1940 (1940)
In use	11 January 1941 - 2013 (2013)
Battles/wars	European theatre of World War II Cold War
Airfield information
Elevation	10 metres (33 ft) AMSL
Runways Direction Length and surface 04/22 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) Asphalt 10/28 1,262 metres (4,140 ft) Asphalt 16/34 1,296 metres (4,252 ft) Asphalt

Royal Air Force Waterbeach, or RAF Waterbeach, was a special place where the Royal Air Force (RAF) used to have an air base. It is located in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) north of Cambridge, England. In 1966, the site was given to the Royal Engineers, which is part of the British Army. It is now known as Waterbeach Barracks.

The Story of RAF Waterbeach

Royal Air Force Days

The airfield at Waterbeach was built in 1940. It was first used by RAF Bomber Command, which was a part of the RAF that flew bombing missions. The original control tower and many other RAF buildings, including large hangars, are still there today.

Planes of World War II

During World War II, RAF Waterbeach was a busy base. Many different types of aircraft flew from here.

• Vickers Wellington: These planes were used by No. 99 Squadron RAF for bombing missions in 1941-1942.
• Short Stirling: This was a large bomber. It was used by training units like No. 1651 Conversion Unit RAF to teach pilots how to fly big planes.
• Avro Lancaster: This famous bomber was flown by No. 514 Squadron RAF from 1943 to 1945. Sadly, 437 aircrew members from this squadron lost their lives during their missions.

Transporting Goods and People (1945-1949)

After World War II ended, RAF Waterbeach changed its role. It became a base for RAF Transport Command. These planes were used to carry troops and supplies.

• Consolidated Liberator: Planes from No. 59 Squadron RAF and No. 220 Squadron RAF used these aircraft to transport troops to and from places like India and the Far East.
• Douglas Dakota: Several squadrons, including No. 77 Squadron RAF, No. 62 Squadron RAF, No. 53 Squadron RAF, and No. 18 Squadron RAF, flew Dakotas. These planes were very important in Operation Plainfare, also known as the Berlin Airlift. During this time, they flew supplies into West Berlin when the city was blocked off.
• Avro York and Avro Lancastrian: These planes were also used for transport, especially for scheduled flights across Europe.

Fighter Jets Take Over (1950-1963)

On March 1, 1950, RAF Fighter Command took control of the base. This meant that fast fighter jets started flying from Waterbeach.

• Gloster Meteor: This was one of the first jet fighters used at Waterbeach by squadrons like No. 56 Squadron RAF and No. 63 Squadron RAF.
• Supermarine Swift: Another early jet fighter that flew from the base.
• de Havilland Venom and de Havilland Vampire: These jets were also part of the fighter squadrons stationed here.
• Hawker Hunter: These powerful fighter jets arrived in 1955. No. 1 Squadron RAF and No. 54 Squadron RAF flew them.
• Gloster Javelin: This was an all-weather interceptor jet, meaning it could fly in any weather to stop enemy planes. Squadrons like No. 25 Squadron RAF and No. 46 Squadron RAF used them.
• English Electric P1 (Lightning): A very fast prototype jet, which later became the famous English Electric Lightning, even visited RAF Waterbeach.

The last RAF planes, from No. 54 Squadron RAF, left Waterbeach in August 1963. After that, the base was used by the Airfield Construction Branch RAF for a few years.

Royal Engineers Take Over

In 1966, the air base officially became part of the British Army. It was given to the Royal Engineers, who are soldiers that specialize in building and engineering tasks. The site was renamed Waterbeach Barracks.

Even after the RAF left, the main runway at Waterbeach was still used for a while. It served as a backup landing spot for training planes from nearby RAF Oakington. Today, the former airfield is used as a training area for soldiers. Sometimes, helicopters visit, and in the past, even Hawker Siddeley Harrier jump jets used the area.

More to Explore

• List of former Royal Air Force stations