RAF Upwood: UK May 2013

The airfield at RAF Upwood originally opened in 1917 and had no permanent structures. It was used as a night landing ground by the No. 75 squadron from Elmswell.

In 1918 a number of huts and hangers had been built and two night squadrons were based here. After the First World War operations here ceased and the buildings were cleared.

There was a major expansion of the RAF in the 1930s Upwood was upgraded to accomodate two medim bomber squadrons. In 1937 two training squadrons made Upwood their home with Fairey Battle and Avro Anson aircraft.

In 1939 the two squadrons were reasigned making room for another training squadron. By this time the Second World War had started but the site mainly remained a training ground. The base did see some action and it was attacked twice during the war resulting in one fatality.

Since opening it was only a grass airfield and operations had to be halted due to ground conditions. In 1943 the site was left with no aircraft and construction of three concrete runways began. By 1944 aircraft had returned. Various squadrons called RAF Upwood their home untill the late 70's. In 1981 the USAF was given control of Upwood. This continued until 1995. Since then there has not been much activity on the site other than the hangers which are used by a local glider club and a turbine motor company.

The buildings are now in quite a state and the site is used for grazing sheep and airsoft.

RAF Upwood was built to a similar design as other local bases as you can see by looking at my report of RAF Raynham.