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Coordinates: 52°00′13″N 001°21′36″W / 52.00361°N 1.36000°W / 52.00361; -1.36000
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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox military installation
{{Infobox military installation
| name = RAF Barford St John
| name = RAF Barford St John
| ensign = [[File:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg|90px]][[File:United States Air Forces in Europe.svg|60px]]
| ensign = [[File:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg|90px]]
| native_name =
| native_name =
⚫
| partof =
⚫
| partof = [[United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa]] (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
| location =
| location =
| nearest_town = [[Bloxham]], [[Oxfordshire]]
| nearest_town = [[Bloxham]], [[Oxfordshire]]
| country = England
| country = England
| image = File:RAF Barford St. John.jpg
| image = RAF Barford St John from the air - geograph.org.uk - 2355944.jpg
| caption = Gate and communications masts at RAF Barford St John
| caption = Aerial view of RAF Barford St John during 2011
⚫
| image2 = [[File:United States Air Forces in Europe.svg|100px]]
⚫
| image2 =
| pushpin_map = Oxfordshire
| pushpin_map = Oxfordshire
| pushpin_label = RAF Barford St John
| pushpin_label = RAF Barford St John
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| pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Oxfordshire
| pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Oxfordshire
| coordinates = {{Coord|52|00|13|N|001|21|36|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|52|00|13|N|001|21|36|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| type = [[Royal Air Force]] station ([[United States Air Force in the United Kingdom|US Visiting Forces]])
| type = [[List of Royal Air Force stations|Royal Air Force station]] ([[United States Air Force in the United Kingdom|US Visiting Forces]])
| code = BJ
| code = BJ{{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=46}}
| site_area =
| site_area =
| height =
| height =
| ownership = [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]
| ownership = [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]
| operator = [[Royal Air Force]]<BR>[[United States Air Force]]
| operator = [[United States Air Force]]
| controlledby = [[United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa|US Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa]]
| controlledby = [[United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa|US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa]]<BR>formerly<BR>[[RAF Flying Training Command]] (1941-42)<BR>[[RAF Bomber Command]]<BR>* [[No. 92 Group RAF|No. 92 (OTU) Group RAF]]
| open_to_public =
| open_to_public =
| condition = Operational
| condition = Operational
| built = {{Start date|1941}}
| built = {{Start date|1941}}
| builder =
| builder =
| used = 1941–1946 ([[Royal Air Force]])<br />1951 – present ([[United States Air Force|US Air Force]])<!--{{End date|1946}} -->
| used = 1941 – 1946 ([[Royal Air Force]])<br />1951 – present ([[United States Air Force|US Air Force]])<!--{{End date|1946}} -->
| materials =
| materials =
| fate =
| fate =
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| garrison =
| garrison =
| occupants =
| occupants =
| footnotes = '''Notes:''' Flying ceased in 1946.
| footnotes = '''Notes:''' Flying ceased in 1946
| elevation = {{Convert|120|m|0}}
| elevation = {{Convert|116|m|0}}{{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=46}}
| IATA =
| IATA =
| ICAO =
| ICAO =
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| r1-number = 09/27
| r1-number = 09/27
| r1-length = {{Convert|1670|m|0}}
| r1-length = {{Convert|1670|m|0}}
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt]]
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| r2-number = 16/34
| r2-number = 16/34
| r2-length = {{Convert|1215|m|0}}
| r2-length = {{Convert|1215|m|0}}
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}}
}}


'''Royal Air Force Barford St John''' or '''RAF Barford St John''' is a [[Royal Air Force]] station just north of the village of [[Barford St. John]], [[Oxfordshire]], [[England]]. It is now a non-flying facility, operated by the [[United States Air Force]] as a communications centre with many large communications aerials, and is a satellite of [[RAF Croughton]].
'''Royal Air Force Barford St John''' or more simply '''RAF Barford St John''' is a [[Royal Air Force]] [[List of Royal Air Force stations|station]] just north of the village of [[Barford St. John]], [[Oxfordshire]], [[England]]. It is now a non-flying facility, operated by the [[United States Air Force]] as a communications centre with many large communications aerials, and is a satellite of [[RAF Croughton]].


==History==
==History==
===RAF use===
RAF Barford St John was opened on 30 July 1941 as a training facility for [[RAF Flying Training Command]]. It had three grass runways, used primarily by [[Airspeed Oxford]]s of [[No. 15 Service Flying Training School RAF]] from [[RAF Kidlington]]. The airfield was closed in late 1941 and rebuilt as an [[RAF Bomber Command]] airfield with paved runways and equipped for night operations.
RAF Barford St John was opened on 30 July 1941 as a training facility for [[RAF Flying Training Command]]. It had three grass runways, used primarily by [[Airspeed Oxford]]s of [[No. 15 Service Flying Training School RAF]] from [[RAF Kidlington]].<ref name=gate>{{cite web|url=https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1383700&sort=4&search=all&criteria=hangar&rational=q&recordsperpage=10&p=20&move=n&nor=311&recfc=0&resourceID=19191|title=Barford St John Airfield|publisher=Heritage Gateway|access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref> The airfield was rebuilt as an [[RAF Bomber Command]] airfield with paved runways and night operations equipment and reopened as a satellite for [[RAF Upper Heyford]] in December 1942.<ref name=gate/> In 1943 the station served as flight test centre for its [[Gloster E.28/39]] and [[Gloster Meteor]] jet aircraft.<ref name=OxfordMail>{{cite news |title=Base's special place in aviation history |last=Crossley |first=William |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/9259692.Base_s_special_place_in_aviation_history/ |newspaper=[[Oxford Mail]] |date=20 September 2011 |accessdate=26 September 2011}}</ref> Bomber Command and [[No. 16 OTU|No. 16 Operational Training Unit]] was stationed there with [[Vickers Wellington]]s until December 1944.<ref name=gate/> [[No. 1655 Mosquito Training Unit RAF]] replaced the Wellingtons at that time.<ref name=gate/> After the war the airfield was closed in 1946 and placed into care and maintenance.<ref name=gate/>


The site was used for some background filming for the 1949 film ''[[Twelve O'Clock High]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.movie-locations.com/movies/t/Twelve-O-Clock-High.php|title=Twelve O'Clock High|year=1949|publisher=Movie Locations| access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=''CQ: The Radio Amateurs' Journal - Volume 22'', p. 42|date=1966}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airfieldresearchgroup.org.uk/forum/airfield-discussion/160-archbury-12-o-clock-high|title=Archbury / 12 O'clock High|website=Airfield Research Group|access-date=18 May 2020}}</ref>
The airfield reopened in December 1942 as a satellite for [[RAF Upper Heyford]]. Bomber Command and [[No. 16 OTU|No. 16 Operational Training Unit]] was stationed there with [[Vickers Wellington]]s until December 1944. [[No. 1655 Mosquito Training Unit RAF]] replaced the Wellingtons and the unit was renamed No. 16 OTU in January 1945 when it moved to [[RAF Cottesmore]]. In 1943 the station served as flight test centre for its [[Gloster E.28/39]] and [[Gloster Meteor]] jet aircraft<ref name=OxfordMail>{{cite news |title=Base's special place in aviation history |last=Crossley |first=William |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/9259692.Base_s_special_place_in_aviation_history/ |newspaper=[[Oxford Mail]] |date=20 September 2011 |accessdate=26 September 2011}}</ref> from [[RAF Brockworth]].


⚫
The following units were also there at some point:<ref name="ABCT">{{cite web|url=https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/barford-st-john/ |title=Barford St John |publisher=[[Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust]]|accessdate=23 June 2020}}</ref>
After the war the airfield was closed in 1946 and placed into care and maintenance.

The site was used for some background filming for the 1949 film ''[[Twelve O'Clock High]]''.

⚫
The following units were also here at some point:<ref name="ABCT">{{cite web|url=https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/barford-st-john/ |title=Barford St John |publisher=[[Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust]]|accessdate=23 June 2020}}</ref>
* [[No. 4 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=24}}
* [[No. 4 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=24}}
* [[No. 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit RAF]]
* Satellite for [[No. 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit RAF]] (December 1944){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=190}}
* [[No. 169 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=169}}
* [[No. 169 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=169}}
* [[No. 170 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=65}}
* [[No. 170 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=65}}


==USAF use==
===USAF use===
In 1951<ref name=OxfordMail/> the [[United States Air Force]] opened a communications (transmitter) centre on the airfield, reporting to the [[2130th Communications Group]] (UK Communications Region) at [[RAF Croughton]].
In 1951 the [[United States Air Force]] opened a communications (transmitter) centre on the airfield.<ref name=OxfordMail/> The site has a Scope Signal III installation which was used to modernize "Giant Talk", [[Strategic Air Command]]'s world-wide command and controls network, which operates from [[RAF Croughton]].{{sfn|Duke|1989|p=314}}

Given its postwar use by the military, all its runways, perimeter track and hardstands still exist but the World War II buildings have been removed, being replaced by modern buildings on the airfield, secured and guarded with fencing and other security devices.

Simon Duke's ''U.S. Military Forces and Installations in Europe'' (SIPRI, 1989) lists the base as housing a Giant Talk/Scope Signal III transmitter annex for [[RAF Croughton]] (p.314).


==See also==
==See also==


*[[List of Royal Air Force stations]]
*[[List of Royal Air Force stations]]
*[[USAFE|United States Air Forces in Europe]]
*[[United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa]]


==References==
==References==
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===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
*{{cite book|first=Simon|last= Duke|title=U.S. Military Forces and Installations in Europe (SIPRI Monographs)|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1989|isbn=978-0198291329}}
*{{cite book |last1=Falconer|first1=J|title=RAF Airfields of World War 2 |year=2012 |publisher= Ian Allan Publishing|location= UK|isbn=978-1-85780-349-5}}
*{{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1= C.G. |title= RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher= Airlife |location= [[Shrewsbury]] |isbn= 1-85310-053-6 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1= C.G. |title= RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher= Airlife |location= [[Shrewsbury]] |isbn= 1-85310-053-6 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Sturtivant|first1=R|last2=Hamlin|first2=J|last3=Halley|first3=J|title=Royal Air Force flying training and support units |year=1997 |publisher= Air-Britain (Historians)|location= UK|isbn=0-85130-252-1}}


{{USAF Bases in the UK}}
{{USAF Bases in the UK}}
{{Royal Air Force stations}}
{{Portal bar|United Kingdom|Aviation|War}}
{{Portal bar|United Kingdom|Aviation}}


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}
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[[Category:Military airbases established in 1941]]
[[Category:Military airbases established in 1941]]
[[Category:1941 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1941 establishments in England]]

{{RAF-stub}}

Latest revision as of 22:28, 5 November 2024

RAF Barford St John
Near Bloxham, Oxfordshire in England
Aerial view of RAF Barford St John during 2011
RAF Barford St John is located in Oxfordshire
RAF Barford St John
RAF Barford St John
Shown within Oxfordshire
Coordinates52°00′13″N 001°21′36″W / 52.00361°N 1.36000°W / 52.00361; -1.36000
TypeRoyal Air Force station (US Visiting Forces)
CodeBJ[1]
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorUnited States Air Force
Controlled byUS Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa
formerly
RAF Flying Training Command (1941-42)
RAF Bomber Command
* No. 92 (OTU) Group RAF
ConditionOperational
Site history
Built1941 (1941)
In use1941 – 1946 (Royal Air Force)
1951 – present (US Air Force)
Airfield information
Elevation116 metres (381 ft)[1] AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
09/27 1,670 metres (5,479 ft) Asphalt
16/34 1,215 metres (3,986 ft) Asphalt
02/20 1,210 metres (3,970 ft) Asphalt
Notes: Flying ceased in 1946

Royal Air Force Barford St John or more simply RAF Barford St John is a Royal Air Force station just north of the village of Barford St. John, Oxfordshire, England. It is now a non-flying facility, operated by the United States Air Force as a communications centre with many large communications aerials, and is a satellite of RAF Croughton.

History

[edit]

RAF use

[edit]

RAF Barford St John was opened on 30 July 1941 as a training facility for RAF Flying Training Command. It had three grass runways, used primarily by Airspeed Oxfords of No. 15 Service Flying Training School RAF from RAF Kidlington.[2] The airfield was rebuilt as an RAF Bomber Command airfield with paved runways and night operations equipment and reopened as a satellite for RAF Upper Heyford in December 1942.[2] In 1943 the station served as flight test centre for its Gloster E.28/39 and Gloster Meteor jet aircraft.[3] Bomber Command and No. 16 Operational Training Unit was stationed there with Vickers Wellingtons until December 1944.[2] No. 1655 Mosquito Training Unit RAF replaced the Wellingtons at that time.[2] After the war the airfield was closed in 1946 and placed into care and maintenance.[2]

The site was used for some background filming for the 1949 film Twelve O'Clock High.[4][5][6]

The following units were also there at some point:[7]

USAF use

[edit]

In 1951 the United States Air Force opened a communications (transmitter) centre on the airfield.[3] The site has a Scope Signal III installation which was used to modernize "Giant Talk", Strategic Air Command's world-wide command and controls network, which operates from RAF Croughton.[12]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to RAF Barford St John.

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Falconer 2012, p. 46.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Barford St John Airfield". Heritage Gateway. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b Crossley, William (20 September 2011). "Base's special place in aviation history". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  4. ^ "Twelve O'Clock High". Movie Locations. 1949. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  5. ^ CQ: The Radio Amateurs' Journal - Volume 22, p. 42. 1966.
  6. ^ "Archbury / 12 O'clock High". Airfield Research Group. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Barford St John". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  8. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 24.
  9. ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 190.
  10. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 169.
  11. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 65.
  12. ^ Duke 1989, p. 314.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Duke, Simon (1989). U.S. Military Forces and Installations in Europe (SIPRI Monographs). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0198291329.
  • Falconer, J (2012). RAF Airfields of World War 2. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-349-5.
  • 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.
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