This is the former acaster malbis air base today there is still a lot to see but its spread all over a large site and needs a lot of exploring we had half a day here and still missed a lot here is some history borrowed from the yorkshire airfields web site
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
raf acaster malbis 032 by urban phantom, on Flickr
watch tower this used to be house and is now in a poor state
raf acaster malbis 042 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 043 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 044 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 046 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 038 by urban phantom, on Flickr
the other site is the former accommodation site now sadly also in a poor state having been used for a pig
farm
raf acaster malbis 014 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 001 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 003 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 009 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 026 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 021 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 013 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 012 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 005 by urban phantom, on Flickr
Thanks for looking all comments welcome
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
raf acaster malbis 032 by urban phantom, on Flickr
watch tower this used to be house and is now in a poor state
raf acaster malbis 042 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 043 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 044 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 046 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 038 by urban phantom, on Flickr
the other site is the former accommodation site now sadly also in a poor state having been used for a pig
farm
raf acaster malbis 014 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 001 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 003 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 009 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 026 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 021 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 013 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 012 by urban phantom, on Flickr
raf acaster malbis 005 by urban phantom, on Flickr
Thanks for looking all comments welcome