RAF Little Rissington
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| RAF Little Rissington | |
|---|---|
| Name | Little Rissington |
| Location | Little Rissington, Gloucestershire |
| Country | England |
| Caption | Aerial view of the station |
| Type | Royal Air Force station |
| Ownership | Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) |
| Operator | Royal Air Force |
| Used | 1938–present |
| Garrison | Various RAF Regiment squadrons |
| Coordinates | 51°55′N 1°48′W |
RAF Little Rissington Little Rissington began as a Royal Air Force station in the late 1930s and evolved through roles in World War II, Cold War operations, and Royal Air Force training into the 21st century. The station's development linked it to key formations such as Bomber Command, Transport Command, and No. 3 Flying Training School. Its architecture and landscape reflect influences from interwar Air Ministry planning and postwar United Kingdom defence policy.
History
The airfield opened in 1938 amid expansion driven by Air Ministry directives and tensions preceding World War II, hosting squadrons from Bomber Command, Fighter Command, and Coastal Command. During World War II, Little Rissington supported operations including training for crews destined for the Battle of Britain, sorties linked to the Strategic bombing campaign and coordination with United States Army Air Forces personnel. Postwar, the site became integral to Transport Command and later to jet-era conversion units associated with aircraft like the Gloster Meteor and English Electric Canberra. In the Cold War period the station accommodated Royal Auxiliary Air Force and hosted exercises with NATO partners such as Royal Navy and United States Air Force units. The late 20th century saw reductions under Options for Change and subsequent reuse under Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) estate rationalisations, before its renaissance as a training and headquarters base for units including elements of the Royal Air Force Regiment.
Infrastructure and Facilities
The station's perimeter featured Class A airfield geometry influenced by Air Ministry (United Kingdom) standards, with runways reinforced for aircraft like the Handley Page Halifax and later jet types such as the English Electric Lightning. Hangars included examples of Bellman hangar and wartime maintenance sheds adapted for postwar logistics, and technical sites supported avionics work common to Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment requirements. On-site accommodation mirrored Service Families Accommodation patterns, with married quarters and NAAFI facilities akin to those at RAF Brize Norton and RAF Lyneham. Training ranges and firing areas were laid out to coordinate with nearby RAF ranges and with civil authorities in Gloucestershire County Council. The station retained listed buildings illustrating 20th-century architecture by the Air Ministry design teams and conservation links with local parish planning.
Units and Operations
Throughout its history the station hosted a sequence of units including No. 1 Flying Training School, No. 3 Flying Training School, No. 6 Flying Training School, and squadrons from Bomber Command and Transport Command. It supported detachments from operational conversion units such as those transitioning crews to the Avro Lancaster, Vickers Wellington, and later to the Vickers VC10 and Hawker Siddeley Andover. Ground units included elements of the RAF Regiment and maintenance units coordinating with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers workshops and Civilian Maintenance Contractors. The station also functioned as a relief landing ground for Central Flying School activity and hosted visiting squadrons from RAF College Cranwell during exercise periods tied to NATO interoperability with RAF Northolt and RAF Benson.
Role in Training and Development
Little Rissington's core identity became associated with flying instruction, linking to institutions such as the Central Flying School, No. 3 Flying Training School, and specialist conversion courses affiliated with Royal Air Force College Cranwell curricula. Aircraft types used for training over decades ranged from biplanes referenced in interwar syllabi to piston trainers like the de Havilland Tiger Moth, and jet trainers including the Hawker Siddeley Gnat and BAC Jet Provost. The station provided ground school instruction in partnership with training establishments such as RAF Halton and postgraduate courses tied to Royal Air Force Modernisation programmes. Cadet and youth outreach involved groups like the Air Cadets and community partnerships similar to those at RAF Benson and RAF Cosford, reinforcing pathways into professional aircrew careers and technical trades.
Accidents and Incidents
Over decades the station experienced accidents involving types such as the de Havilland Mosquito, Gloster Meteor, and training aircraft including the Jet Provost, some occurring during circuits and others during instrument training leading to inquiries by the Accident Investigation Board (United Kingdom). Notable incidents prompted safety reviews coordinated with Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom) regulations and with policy updates from the Air Navigation Order. Historical records reflect both operational losses during World War II and peacetime mishaps that influenced changes in training doctrine at establishments including Central Flying School and No. 3 Flying Training School.
Cultural and Community Impact
The station influenced local life in Gloucestershire, shaping employment, housing, and social facilities around nearby villages such as Little Rissington and Great Rissington. Community events including open days, memorial services connected to the Royal British Legion, and educational outreach with institutions like University of Gloucestershire reinforced civil–military links similar to partnerships at RAF Brize Norton. Architectural conservation and heritage projects engaged bodies such as Historic England and local history groups, with artifacts and records contributing to regional museums and archives like the Gloucestershire Archives. The station's presence also intersected with transport networks including the A40 road and regional aviation debates involving Cotswold District Council planning, while former personnel associations maintained regimental and squadron ties through reunions and veteran charities such as SSAFA.