RAF Oakington

Photos - 57.
Where - Oakington, Cambridgeshire.
Visited - July 2006.
Posted - 23 August 2006.
Categories - , , .

RAF Oakington closed many years ago - in 1999 to be precise. A year later the domestic areas were turned into a high security immigration reception centre.

The good news is that technical buildings such as boiler-rooms and hangars aren't on the IRC site. The even better news is that there's a car boot sale on this part of the site every weekend, making access really easy.

But now for some bad news. The whole site is to go to make way for a new Cambridge commuter town...

Hangars

There are four hangars on site - two J-types with curved rooves, and two T2 metal hangars.

These were my first hangars and I managed to get inside one of them. Despite being really empty, I was awestruck by it's size. Things banging on the roof made it ever-so-slightly scary in there (pigeons? expanding metal in the heat?).

Water Tower / Boilers

There was a delightful brick water tower attatched to a boiler house. As with most places, the ladder had been cut off

Inside the boiler house were, er, boilers...

A metal water tower was also there.

An office

A lot of the buildings were sealed up, but I managed to get into a few. The first seemed to be some sort of office/records building.

A stores building

The other seemed to be a stores building. It had ramps & bays for (un)loading vans

Other buildings etc

All locked up. Even the "Laser Room"

Your Comments

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  1. Posted 2 October 2006, 21:50 From smiffy

    crackin. I love dis-used air fields I reckon they've got an incredible atmosphere abosolutely unique. good site too by the way!

  2. Posted 5 January 2007, 01:50 From norman hall

    • RAF Oakington photo thumbnail

    This is most interesting as I lived in AMQ at RAF Watton at 45 Akrotiir Square in the sixties. Wonder what this file contained.

  3. Posted 10 February 2007, 19:00 From Tony Evans

    this was once my home shall we say, i lived in Longstanton, Dad was in Minden Band so i've been around but never seen the hangars before...good to see..love longstanton a village to remember

  4. Posted 14 April 2007, 05:00 From Barry Lafbery

    Great site, Love RAF Oakington. I was stationed there 1959-60

    I have some great photos as it was then. sorry can't figure your email.

  5. Posted 29 April 2007, 15:20 From leigh

    i was based at oakington during the mid 90s and would love to see the old place again first hand if possible

  6. Posted 9 May 2007, 17:10 From bryan tungate

    Did National Service there 1959/60. Your picture of the building like a store is in fact the stores where I worked as a S A C with a host of others both Regulars and NS. Great to see the photo's

  7. Posted 28 May 2007, 20:00 From Jef Bogaert

    Dear Friends,

    On 15th June 1944, Lancaster JB 455 ( MG-N) of 7 Squadron took of to bomb France from airfield Oakington. During the night they were shot down and crashed in Anzegem, Flanders. In June 2004 a commemoration plaque was erected in Anzegem to commemorate the aircraft and its crew. With the help of the family of the crew we were able to write down the whole story of the aircraft and its crew. Only one important thing is missing: a photograph of Lancaster JB 455. Is there anyone out there who is able to help me, or who can tell me where I do have to look.

    With kind regards from Flanders,

    Jef

  8. Posted 28 May 2007, 20:10 From Barney

    I was based here with the AAC between 1988 and 1990. Me and my mate were the last Air Corps lads to leave the site when our squadron moved to Dishforth. I used to work in the Control Tower, is it still standing or has it been knocked down yet?

  9. Posted 1 August 2007, 10:20 From ronald cullen

    OK .RAF LINTON ON OUSE ,

  10. Posted 6 November 2007, 13:10 From Craig

    I think its important to remember these old sites! Is it me, or is it sad to see a an old airfield. Fill them full of RAF aircraft and personnel, come the revolution.....

  12. Posted 16 November 2007, 15:20 From Bill Wise (ernie)

    I remember these building very well I was a young 18 year old when I arrived at RAF Oakington in the summer of 1972 fresh from my basic training and trade training . Wearing my best blue uniform with just sown on two bladed propellers of a LAC. The building as stated as a office in your photos is station workshops where I was a general mechanic. There was a great crowd of blokes all of different trades trades there. ground equipment fitters,electricians,carpenters,painters.I also remember the hangers full of Varsities a twin engine aircraft and later the Jetstream aircraft which was use to train aircrew .

  13. Posted 27 December 2007, 18:30 From Richard Earngey

    My father was stationed at Oakington in 7 squadron RAF in 1940/41 during WW11. They flew Stirling bonbers from Oakington around that time (pre-Lancasters). He was shot down on one night mission and spent the remainder of the war in Stalag Luft 3 in Sagan, Poland. Looking forward to having a look at Oakington (or what's left of it) when my son and I visit (from Australia) in April '08. I understand that the control tower is being left in situ as an historic site.

  14. Posted 1 January 2008, 13:20 From DAB @ derelicte

    Thanks for all of your comments. It's always fascinating to read memories from people who were based at the places I visit.

    For the guys asking about the control tower - I'm sorry to say that this was demolished some time before my visit. There was no trace of it at all...

  15. Posted 12 January 2008, 20:40 From Derek Horsey

    I was stationed at OAK in 1954-6 as an Operations Clerk in the Control Tower which has been demolished(pity). The hangars bought back many memories.Does anyone out there remember Sq.Ldr Tunstall of Colditz fame? A real character!

  16. Posted 13 January 2008, 21:40 From H Stroude

    Longstanton & District Heritage Society needs your help!

    This Society has been set up by the communities of Longstanton & Oakington to record the history of the villages and RAF Oakington before they disappear under 10,000 new houses (Northstowe). We are currently working to establish a Heritage Centre located if possible within the RAF Oakington Officers Mess. If you have stories or photos we can use for this heritage project please e mail the Society on ldhs@btconnect.com. Any contribution large small will be much appreciated. We are interested in photos of the villages; people; RAF days; Army etc.. In fact anything to do with our villages or the airfield. The name of the contributor will be acknowledged when any contribution is used. Spread the word! - we are trying to ensure the airfield is remembered on the site that it stood. If you want to join the Society e mail for an application form. Finally we have a 2008 Souvenir Ltd Edition Calendar featuring 2007 images of RAF Oakington. Only 50 produced. Cost including postage £ 25.00 E mail on above address for more details.

  17. Posted 18 January 2008, 19:00 From Dr. William Sellwood

    Longstanton and District Heritage Society needs your support. Please send any information, or copies of photos which you may have to our secretary, Hilary Stroude. We are a small but enthusiastic group seeking funding and a building to call our own.Please use ldhs@btconnect.com.

    Many thanks, William Sellwood, Trustee

  18. Posted 24 January 2008, 09:00 From wendy kaser (nee ferguson)

    Hi

    My Dad , Ronald Ferguson (a flight engineer) and my Mum, Joan Ferguson ( a telephonist, nee Sweetland) were stationed at Oakington. They met at Oakington , and married in January 1944. Dad was shot down on a bombing raid from there in April 1944. He spent that last 14 months of the war in Stalag luft 3 . I would dearly love to hear from anyone who knew them or anyone whose parents were there.

    Cheers

    Wendy

  19. Posted 24 January 2008, 09:10 From wendy kaser (nee ferguson)

    Hi

    I went to Oakington recently. ( in April 2007) There is a farm along the road past the main gate of the current immagration facility. It was open ( I am not sure why, it had a padllock on it, but on the day we were there it was open.) We went through and if you go around you can see from the back of the old base. I am not sure if it is the actual runway, but there is clearly a sort of runway where the planes came and went from the hangers. I found it incredibly moving to be in a place where my Dad had been. If your parents were stationed there, I really think you would be moved by a visit there.

    Cheers

    Wendy

  20. Posted 7 February 2008, 05:10 From John Mair

    My Father Andrew Walker Mair was stationed at Oakington during the war. Met and married my mother who was a Oakington girl, Doris Hardy then. After the war I remember sitting in the Linc Trainer. Open days etc. Depending on which direction the wind was blowing planes used to take off over the church, where we lived almost next door. I remember the new jets, parachute drops etc. Once a vampire crashed in a field just down the road from the church. I have my father's entire flight log books and quite a few pictures from there. My Grandfather George Hardy also worked on the drome at that time.

  21. Posted 14 February 2008, 22:40 From Keith Webster

    I was stationed at RAF Oakington from 1960 to 1962 and was a medic at the Station Sick Quarters.

  22. Posted 29 February 2008, 05:50 From Peter Law

    My father (Vampire Pilot) was based at RAF oakington around 1961, I was about 4 yrs old and attended Hatton Park Primary School. I remember: being put into the cockpit of a vampire, sitting in an ejection seat in the squadron hut, being put into the officers mess batchelor accomodation when mess balls were on and having a damaged joystick from a vulcan bomber with which I used to "drive" our Jaguar car in the back seat - other kids had a plastic steering wheel - not me, I could launch nuclear bombs at anyone who got in our way!!!!

  23. Posted 8 March 2008, 14:20 From tony fiske

    RAF Oakington was my first posting, out of trade training in 1973, i worked in mtss until the station was disbanded as a RAF base in 1975.

    i was one of the last remaining airmen on parade that closing day.

    and will always remember the sad day the RAF ensign was hauled down for the last time.

  24. Posted 12 March 2008, 22:30 From james mcginn

    thanks for the memories. so sad to see how the old airfield and hangers have become. I was an LAC first line mechanic 1973-1975 and remember we were all fond of the varsity aircraft ( flying pigs) despite having to clean all the oil off every turnaround,and had many a good time, especially on night flying duties. The pilots laid on free beer at the end of stints.

  25. Posted 17 March 2008, 17:10 From Rab Wright

    I was there 88 -93 had some good times there. Sad to see the disrepair that it has slipped into since. Time goes on i suppose.

  26. Posted 29 March 2008, 21:20 From Derek Horsey

    Have just re-read the various comments.The Immigration Housing had me, I guess they were housed in our old H Block barracks. I spent many a month, National Service 1954-56 in the first H block on the left after going through the main gate.Some of the names, Brian Hitchcock, Amis, Ray Tuffs from Leeds, Ray Banham Norwich I think,Fitzsimmons from London and Ray Packham who still lives in Heathfield Sussex. Some very good friends are remembered here. (Here, is Oakville Ontario Canada)

  27. Posted 7 April 2008, 02:20 From Andy

    I have an old friend that flew lancasters from Oakington during the last War and he commented on how comfortable and stately Oakington was in relation to some of the 'temporary' airfields...he later severd at RAF Ludford Magna...another airfield that has all but vanished. It is a tragedy that not one wartime Bomber Airfield has been preserved for future generations. And a sad statement on British Heritage...

  28. Posted 17 April 2008, 16:40 From William Allen. \"Bill\"

    I was posted to RAF Oakington in sept 1952 after doing my trade training as a aircraft electrician, working on Meteor aircraft used for pilot training on "A" flight, I was billeted in E block room 8, and after a day's work spent many hour's in the YMCA hut in the evening playing darts and drinking tea, I can remember the trainee pilots if they left any equipment on, after returning from a flight, would be fined and the money would be put into a flight fund for a evening out. I left the camp in March 1954 and the place holds a lot of memories for me. It's sad to see the camp looking as it doe's in the above photographs.

  29. Posted 14 May 2008, 21:50 From Dave Branchett

    • RAF Oakington photo thumbnail

    It breaks my heart to see this camp so run down and folorn. Oakington was my first posting after I passed out of Halton in 1961. It was a lovely easy going place with Vampire T11s and about 4 Meteor Mk 7s. The Varsities arrived in 1962 and the Meteors left to be followed eventually by the Vampires. I left for Aden in 1964 but will always remember it as a a very happy place full of friends.

  30. Posted 20 May 2008, 20:00 From Paul Guttridge

    I was stationed at Oakington from 1981-1985 with 657 Sqn AAC. It's very sad to see the place in such a derelict state!

    I remember one night just after night flying had finished I was the duty driver and I had to lock up the tower. I started checking the offices from top to bottom and all were empty and locked. When I got to the ground floor I heard footsteps on the lino floor!! There was no one there! I shot off and let the duty NCO lock up instead!

    I enjoyed my time at Oakington and even now I still miss it.

  31. Posted 21 May 2008, 00:10 From Rod Hough

    I was at Oakington from 1955 to 1958. We arrived from trade training in January. Bitterly cold and snowing. we were put in the transit billets: Nissen huts with iron stoves. We burnt the furniture and stole coal to keep warm.

    I was on No. 1 Squadron (Vampires) as an instrument mech. Anyone remember Chiefy Turner - strict but fair? He got a B.E.M., well deserved, and we all cheered.

    I had a great time there, even when freezing my nether regions on night flying.

  32. Posted 28 May 2008, 22:40 From David

    I found your site while trying to get some background on Oakington as I have just been there on business and was interested to find out more as the place still has quite an atmosphere.

    Sorry to say but you are not likely to ever get back in there to look around as the front section before the Water Towers is now an Imigration Detention Centre and the workshop, hanger, apron and whats left of the runway/s and taxiways etc, are all fenced off and patrolled by security guards. The Hangers themselves are all sealed up for H&S reasons (It was very foolish of you to enter the J-Types) and most of the other buildings have now been sealed against vandals and thieves. Within the next 5 years or so the whole site is scheduled to be cleared and redeveloped. A lot of the land around the centre of the site is farm land so you "may" be able to get close (not the Longstanton end) to some parts but you may be stopped and "asked" to leave by the security units. I'll be going back there soon if I remember I'll take a camera as I may be climbing the Water Towers. What a View.

  33. Posted 4 June 2008, 19:40 From MICK

    just a quick note been there recently due to a visit as a contractor for the detention centre the water tower is now

    fenced off as i put it up with help of course.

    speaking to one of the dentention officers for gsl cameras are now in use whether to belive it or not is up to you folks.

  34. Posted 11 June 2008, 15:40 From Greg Sheldrake

    I visited Oakington a couple of months ago, the first time I had been back since 1966. It was my first posting out of training and I worked on Vampire T 11's and Varsity T 1's (Pigs). In those days ther were 3 aircraft lines. No. 1 Line was at the top end of the airfield operating Varsities, No. 2 Line in front of the tower also with Varsities and No. 3 Line at the bottom of the airfield operating Vampires originally but later Varsities. It was a great place to be young at. The Black Bull in Longstanton was a favoured watering hole, and there was always something happening in Cambridge.

  35. Posted 17 June 2008, 13:20 From RAY HUYTON

    I WAS AT OAKINGTON FROM 1954 TO 1956 I WAS BILLITED IN G BLOCK.AND WORKED IN THE SAFETY EQUIP SECTION/ OUR OFFICER WAS FLT LT GREEN .I PLAYED RUGBY FOR THE STATION ALL THE TIME I WAS THERE THE TEAM CAPTAIN WAS PILOT OFFICER Mc GREGOR WHO WAS THE EDUCATION OFFICER.

  36. Posted 29 June 2008, 00:50 From Mike Wilson

    I was stationed at RAF Oakington as a young 17 yr old LAC/SAC teleprinter operator 1973/74 - I have many great memories of the station - Group Capt McCorkindale (his son Simon went on to become a famous actor - Currently in 'Casuality') was station commander - Warrant Officer Sooley was the legendary Firebreathing SWO - I had some great mates - Graham Moylan, Pete Thornton, Taff (PABX Cpl) Sam Dimmock (SGT Comcen) - loads of tasty young birds at the station discos ! Happy days and no mistake (anyone remember the station Piggery ? - used to generate profits that some times came the way of the airmans mess ! 17p a pint of Tartan !...

  37. Posted 3 July 2008, 16:40 From Graham Walter

    I visited this website as I lived in locally as a young school boy from 65 - 68 ish. My dad was stationed there and worked as an aircraft technician then transferred to Scampton. I remember Varsity aircraft flying around a lot and wasn't some of the filming for Batlle of Britain done there? I have vague memories of arial action being filmed, us watching from the school playground. Dad was Ed "Eddie" Walter who sadly passed away last summer. Anyone who knew him please post? Thanks

  38. Posted 7 July 2008, 19:00 From RAY HUYTON

    IREMEMBER SQUAREN LEADER TUNSTALL I RECOLLECT HIM IN TROUBLE WITH HIS AIRCRAFT ON A TRAINING FLIGHT HE AND HIS STUDENT ERE IN A VAMPIRE T 11 WHEN THE HOOD ACCIDENTLY JETTISONED..HE ROUGHT THE AIRCRAFT IN SAFELY AND THE TWO OF THEM WHERE RUSHED TO SICK QUARTERS THEY HAD HAD THEIR MASKS AND BONEDOMES RIPPED OFF THEIR FACES WERE LIKE JELLY

  39. Posted 10 July 2008, 18:10 From Julian Evan-Hart

    What a fantastic website, illustrative of true dedication to research and recording...just how valuable will this resource be when such sites are lost forever? . with regards to Oakington I have just written a book called War Torn Skies Cambridgeshire. Oakington is heavily featured in the book.......should anyone like further details please do contact me on j.evenhart@ntlworld.com

    Kind regards Julian Evan-Hart

  40. Posted 15 July 2008, 17:20 From terry campbell

    I was stationed at oakington as medic 1952_54

    lots of nostalgia looking at old place on web sight have many fond memmories have tried to view on google map buy cant quite pinpoint as i know it will look so different am still in contact with one old buddy

  41. Posted 23 July 2008, 13:20 From RAY HUYTON

    I HAD A GOOD PAL AT OAKINGTON IN 1954, HE GOT MADE UP TO CORPORAL IN 55 THEN WAS POSTED TO SWANTON MORLEY.I KNEW THAT HE LIVED IN SHEPSHED LOUGHBOROUGH, BUT I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF HIS ADDRESS, I WENT ONTO THE 192 WEBSITE, TYPED HIS NAME THEN SEARCHED. LO AND BEHOLD HIS NAME THE NAME OF HIS WIFE AND PHONE NUMBER CAME UP.I CONTACTED HIM AND AFTER 53 YEARS WE HAD A GREAT RE UNION.

  42. Posted 8 August 2008, 13:50 From James

    • RAF Oakington photo thumbnail

    I used to work in this building during 2003! This is where the MoD keep some of there old archive files (nothing interesting I assure you!). I remember working among all these dusty files in the dark. It was so boring and the place was such a mess, but I loved being outside with no one else around. I'm surprised you were able to get into oakington though!

  43. Posted 23 August 2008, 19:00 From bill tillett

    i was in the atc in 50 53 as as course of training i was sent to oak the things i remeber is we were put under canvas woken 0700 field shower then how do the day ok just go over 303 practice today here is a map 5 miles 80 f temp o feet to big hills done that also every 2 3 days a vampire crashed and the bits came back the camp no 1 put the wheel from a vamp at the front of the mess anyway my best remberance was a drink called dragons blood apv 0

  44. Posted 25 August 2008, 23:50 From Neville Bougourd

    A fascinating site. It feels strange to actually see a place I have been researching. I am particularly interested in a crash landing that happened there on March 10th 1942 when a Wellington bomber from 101 sqn at RAF Bourn crash landed and struck another parked Wellington from 304 sqn. Both aircraft were destroyed by fire. I believe the pilot of the 101 sqn plane was named Waterkeyn. Anyone who has more details, please contact me at neville.bougourd@yahoo.com

  45. Posted 29 August 2008, 17:00 From John Bates

    • RAF Oakington photo thumbnail

    What a sad place it now looks!

    I was there on No 105 Course from Sept '54 to Jun'55 learning to fly Vampires (Mk's T11 and FB5).

    If I remember rightly we were in the third hanger from the left, seen from the tower; anyway,it was the one nearest to the tower.

    I went on to join the R Aux AF still on Vampires with 605 (County of Warwick) Sqn and then 613 (City of Manchester) Sqn based at RAF Ringway (now Manchester Airport) until their disbandment in 1957.

    I flew in there in Aug '55 from RAF Honiley on a liason visit.

    The last time I saw anything flying there was about 1965 when, passing by, on the A14, I saw a Varsity taking off. As far as I remember, it became an Army Barracks before the Immigrant Centre took over.

    In view of the derelict place it now is, it might be the best idea to turm it into Cambridge overspill!

    Thanks for the photos, they brought back many memories.

    John Bates

  47. Posted 3 September 2008, 23:30 From mike roberts

    • RAF Oakington photo thumbnail

    I was based at Oakington 1983 to 1986 with 657 sqn Army Air Corps [ gazelle ,scout then lynx helicopters]. The squadron sent detachments all over the world to support Army exercises and operations , the Falklands islands, Belize,and Kenya were amongst the more exotic destinations . There was also an infantry battalion based at Oakington [the Queens regiment and the Royal Anglain Regiment were based there during my time].

    To me the camp [called Oakington Barracks], still had a strong feeling of its busy wartime past and although most of the concrete runways had gone , it did'nt take much imagination to picture a stirling or lancaster bomber taxiing out on another mission.

    I left the army in 1986 and my last memories of Oakington are of an immaculate and well preserved ww2 RAF bomber base. It's very sad to see the place gradually decaying , I was in the area earlier this year but the current use as an immigration centre precludes any worthwhile walkabout !.

    It would be nice to see a memorial remembering the gallant efforts of the RAF from this airfield during the second world war, many young men took off from Oakington never to return .

    Many thanks for the photos, its just a little unerving to think it's already 22 years since I lived there ! mike roberts

  48. Posted 4 September 2008, 17:50 From RAY HUYTON

    REPLY TO JOHN BATES . AS YOU WERE A PILOT OFFICER AT OAKINGTON ON A FLYING TRAINING COURSE I MORE THAN LIKELY ISSUED YOU WITH YOUR PARACHUTE, DINGHY. LIFE JACKET AND ETC. YOU MAY RECALL WING COMMANDER TRENT V.C OF THE RNZ AIR FORCE HE WAS CHIEF INSTRUCTOR THE CAMP C,O WAS GROUP CPT HAWKINS.

  49. Posted 15 September 2008, 00:00 From C. Vuozzo

    Does anyone have any photos of Wing Commander Trent. He was a guest in my house in the US when I was a child. My father, Gene Vuozzo, was in SAC and often in England in the late 50s and early 60s on exchange missions. My email address is

    venndiagram8@aol.com

    Thanks

  50. Posted 17 September 2008, 19:20 From RAY HUYTON

    I SERVED UNDER WING COMMANDER TRENT V.C AT OAKINGTON HE WAS THE CHIEF FLYING TRAINING INSTRUCTOR. A REAL OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN. IF YOU GO ON GOOGLE SERCH AND TYPE..WING COMMANDER TRENT VC A PAGE WILL COME UP CLICK ON .. SQUADREN LEADER TRENT V.C.NZETC AND INFO ABOUT HIM .AND A PICTURE CAN BE HAD.

  51. Posted 29 September 2008, 12:10 From Mark Miller

    Can anyone help - my grandfather Arnold Upex served at Oakington as an electrician but also prepared the mines for minelaying. He also played football on station as well and I believe helped with the cinema and link trainer.

    I was wondering if anybody remembers him or where on Oakington he may have worked - he said it was in the bomb dump or near it.

    The reason I ask, is he passed away this week and, as always the case, I so wish I asked him more.

  52. Posted 2 October 2008, 19:30 From RAY HUYTON

    MARK.DO YOU HAVE ANY DATES WHEN YOUR GRANDFATHER WAS AT OAKINGTON?

  53. Posted 3 October 2008, 09:10 From Mark Miller

    sorry - I think it was around 1941 to about 45 - give or take a year. He also served on nearby bases.

    Near the end of the war he was transferred out of the RAF to the Infantry to be shipped out to the War in the Pacific.

  54. Posted 3 October 2008, 15:10 From RAY HUYTON

    HI MARK IT WAS MUCH LATER WHEN I WAS AT OAKINGTON CHEERS .

  55. Posted 5 October 2008, 14:40 From F.Devonport

    I was stationed at Oakington 1955/56 as a wireless mechanic in air traffic control I ran the Birmingham coach with the help of airmen from R.A.F Wyton.The officer in charge of air traffic was Squadron Leader Stephens

  56. Posted 6 October 2008, 16:40 From RAY HUYTON

    DO I REMEMBER SDN LDR PIGGY STEPHENS,,HE ONCE HAD ME ON A FIZZER FOR HAVING A MATCHSTALK INSTEAD OF THE REGULATION CLIP HOLDING ME BERET BADGE IN PLACE , AS YOU MAY HAVE READ MY POST EARLIER. THE STATION ADJ WAS A FLT LT MOLLOY WHO OCCAISIONALLY TURNED OUT AS HOOKER WITH OUR FIRST TEAM,

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