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RAF Westley

Coordinates: 52°14′52″N 000°40′40″E / 52.24778°N 0.67778°E / 52.24778; 0.67778
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RAF Westley
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk in England
RAF Westley is located in Suffolk
RAF Westley
RAF Westley
Shown within Suffolk
Coordinates52°14′52″N 000°40′40″E / 52.24778°N 0.67778°E / 52.24778; 0.67778
TypeRoyal Air Force airfield
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byRAF Army Cooperation Command
Site history
Built1938 (1938)
In use1938-1946 (1946)
Airfield information
Elevation60 metres (197 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
00/00  Grass

RAF Westley is a former Royal Air Force satellite airfield located to the west of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England, between 1938 and 1946. It was established by the Straight Corporation which set up the West Suffolk Aero Club in May 1938,[1] before the airfield was taken over by the RAF Volunteer Reserve.

History

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In 1942 No. 652 AOP Squadron moved in to provide training, using de Havilland Tiger Moths and Taylorcraft Austers. This continued until 1943.[2]

The following units were also here at some point:

Current use

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By 1946 the airfield closed and is now the site of the Westley suburb of Bury St Edmunds.

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ "Westley". UK Airfields Guide. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  2. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 102.
  3. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 76.
  4. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 81.
  5. ^ a b Jefford 1988, p. 103.
  6. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 104.
  7. ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 165.

Bibliography

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  • Jefford, C G (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Sturtivant, R.; Hamlin, J.; Halley, J. (1997). Royal Air Force flying training and support units. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-252-1.