Creative Midlands Heritage

Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:48 AM PST

History (from wikipedia):

"Gamston airport was originally built as an Royal Air Force aerodrome, to the familiar three runway configuration (of which only one remains in common usage), and came into service in December 1942. It was part of the RAF Training Command as well as a 'satellite' to Ossington Airfield, 8 mi (13 km) to the south. In May 1943 the field was transferred to 93 Group, Bomber Command Training.

In June the same year Operational Training Unit No. 82 arrived with Wellington Mk. III and Mk. X bombers, Martinets (used for towing drogue targets) and Hawker Hurricanes. A year later the unit became Operational Training Unit No. 86 with a new role; night training for Wellington Bomber crew.

By October 1944, Gamston was transferred to No. 7 Group, Bomber Command. A month later No. 3 Aircrew School joined them from Shepherds Grove.

1945 saw the disbanding of No. 3 Aircrew School and the arrival of No. 30 Operational Training Unit transferred from Hixon, Staffordshire with more Wellington Bombers. After the end of World War II all training ceased and the airport was closed.

In May 1953 the airport was reopened as a satellite for nearby Worksop Airport and 211 Advanced Flying School (later No. 4 Flying Training School) made it their base, flying Meteors and Vampires.

The airfield was withdrawn from military service in 1957 and was, for a while, used as a motor racing circuit by Nottingham Sports Car Club. The airport is today owned and operated by Gamston Aviation Limited which purchased the operation in July 1993."