RAF Acaster Malbis. Communal / Domestic February 2012

[yorkietommo]

Visited today with RoyalBobington.

Mr Bobs had seen a chunk of knackered farm looking buildings so we went for a look. Turned out to be the domestic site of RAF Acaster Malbis (which makes up for most of the area around that way!)

The place is trashed, the buildings have all been turned into agricultural works over the years, but even they are shagged. Still has a military air to the place though.

Little history:

Acaster Malbis was something of a location disaster as airfields go, constructed far too close to the River Ouse the site was plagued by mists making operations almost impossible.
The airfield opened in 1942 as part of No12 Group, Fighter Command, as a satellite to RAF Church Fenton.
The first unit to arrive was No601 Airacobras, not a very popular aircraft with this unit.
Combinations of technical problems with the aircraft and the bad weather conditions resulted in many serious accidents.
Next to take over the airfield was No21 Group, Flying Training Command and the Airspeed Oxfords of No15 Advanced Flying Unit moved in. The misty conditions again proved a problem and slowly losses mounted. The airfield, again, deemed unsuitable for training purposes now.
In 1943 the airfield closed and despite the absolute unsuitability and losses encountered, the site was developed as a heavy bomber station as part of No4 Group Bomber Command. Concrete runways were constructed, hangars added and accommodation blocks built.
The airfield was only used by flying units for circuit training and eventually became a bomb storage depot.
The station finally closed in 1946 and most certainly was a failure from the start.
On a recent visit it seemed that some of the runways are now being ripped up, presumably to return to agriculture.


Piccies:

Decided to do a full mono set with the little Fuji x10.


RAF Acaster Malbis 1 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 2 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 3 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 4 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 5 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 6 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 7 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 9 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 12 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 13 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 17 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 18 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 21 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 23 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 25 by mthompson1, on Flickr


RAF Acaster Malbis 27 by mthompson1, on Flickr

A few more on flickr if it takes your fancy!

Cheers for lookin folks!