Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust
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| Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust | |
|---|---|
| Name | Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust |
| Formation | 2006 |
| Type | Charity |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Focus | Aviation heritage, preservation |
Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust is a British charity dedicated to preserving, commemorating and promoting former and extant Royal Air Force bases, Royal Navy air stations, civil airfields and historic Second World War aerodromes across the United Kingdom. The charity works with local authorities such as Historic England, national bodies like National Trust and heritage organisations including Imperial War Museums to install memorials, protect sites and publish research on aviation heritage connected to events such as the Battle of Britain, the Dunkirk evacuation and the Berlin Airlift.
History
The trust was founded in 2006 by enthusiasts and veterans with links to organisations including the Royal Air Force, the Aircraft Preservation Society of Scotland, and regional groups associated with RAF Museum, Fleet Air Arm Museum, and the National Museum of Flight. Early campaigns referenced sites tied to operations from the Battle of Britain Memorial, wartime squadrons that served in the North African Campaign, and Cold War stations associated with the V-bomber force. The trust built relationships with local councils such as Lancaster City Council, preservation bodies like Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and community groups near former stations such as RAF Duxford, RAF Biggin Hill, RAF Halton and RAF Scampton.
Mission and Activities
The trust’s mission encompasses commemoration of airfields connected to units like No. 617 Squadron RAF, documentation of sites involved in the Dieppe Raid and support for conservation at locations once hosting aircraft such as the Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, Avro Lancaster, and De Havilland Mosquito. Activities include erecting plaques in partnership with English Heritage, producing illustrated assessments used by planners in dialogues with authorities such as Ministry of Defence estates teams, and advising on adaptive reuse involving stakeholders like Local Enterprise Partnerships and Historic Scotland. The trust liaises with museums including Science Museum Group, heritage railways, and community trusts that manage former aerodromes.
Preserved and Commemorated Airfields
The trust has installed memorials and information panels at numerous sites from RAF Tangmere and RAF Kenley in the south to RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, and at former civil aerodromes such as Croydon Airport. It has worked to mark landing grounds associated with operations over the English Channel, training ranges tied to RAF Cranwell, and coastal stations involved in anti-submarine patrols like RAF Ford. The trust’s projects reference squadrons and operations spanning the North West Europe campaign, postings to RAF Northolt, and links with aircraft manufacturers such as Boulton Paul Aircraft and Gloster Aircraft Company.
Publications and Resources
The trust produces guidebooks, brochures and online resources documenting airfield histories, mapping former runways and linking to archival collections at institutions such as the National Archives (United Kingdom), British Library, Imperial War Museum Duxford and local record offices. Their publications survey units like No. 303 Squadron RAF, aircrew biographies connected to individuals mentioned in collections at RAF Museum Hendon, and technical histories touching on types like the Bristol Blenheim and Handley Page Halifax. The trust collaborates with academic researchers from universities such as University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Manchester and regional history groups to produce vetted material for planners and historians.
Organisation and Funding
Structured as a charity overseen by trustees with aviation backgrounds from organisations like the Royal Aeronautical Society, the trust secures funding via donations, grants from bodies such as Heritage Lottery Fund, project partnerships with local authorities including City of London Corporation and sponsorship from heritage businesses tied to preservation at museums like Brooklands Museum. It works with volunteer networks, veterans’ associations including Royal British Legion branches, and local civic societies to deliver projects while complying with statutory controls involving agencies such as Civil Aviation Authority and conservation consents administered by Planning Inspectorate.
Outreach and Education
The trust runs talks, guided walks and commemorative events in collaboration with museums, air shows including Duxford Air Show and East Fortune Airshow, schools, cadet organisations like the Air Training Corps and university history departments. It supports oral history collection efforts with partners such as the BBC Archives and promotes heritage tourism to sites linked to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and memorials for operations like Operation Overlord. The trust’s educational remit includes resources for teachers referencing collections at Victoria and Albert Museum, curriculum-linked materials used by local education authorities and volunteer-led interpretation at preserved airfields.