RAF Ridgewell
Royal Air Force Ridgewell or more simply RAF Ridgewell is a former Royal [Air Force station] located at Ridgewell, north west of Halstead, Essex, England.
During the Second World War, the airfield was used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force.
History
RAF Ridgewell was an early example of stations completed to Class A heavy bomber airfield design for the RAF, and had three intersecting runways of 6,500 ft each in length, thirty-six hardstands, two T-2 hangars and accommodation for 2,900 men in temporary buildings.RAF Bomber Command use
The airfield was opened in December 1942 and was first used by No. 90 Squadron of RAF Bomber Command, equipped with Short Stirling Bombers until May 1943, the station being at that time a satellite of RAF Stradishall.USAAF use
RAF Ridgewell was the only long-term heavy bomber airfield of the Eighth Air Force in Essex. For United States Army Air Forces use, the number of hardstandings was increased to the fifty required by a US bomb group. The station was part of the 1st Combat Wing establishment of the 1st Division and was the furthest east of its thirteen heavy bomber stations. It was assigned USAAF designation Station 167, station code "RD".381st Bombardment Group
From 30 June 1943 the airfield was used by the USAAF 381st Bombardment Group (Heavy), arriving from Pueblo AAB, Colorado. Its tail code was Triangle-L. The 381st Bomb Group consisted of the following operational squadrons and fuselage codes:- 532nd Bombardment Squadron
- 533nd Bombardment Squadron
- 534th Bombardment Squadron
- 535th Bombardment Squadron
Air Ministry use
After the war, RAF Ridgewell was used for bomb storage from 15 July 1945 to 31 March 1957. It was then disposed of and sold. The United States Air Force retained the old aircraft hangars which were used by units from nearby RAF Wethersfield and RAF Alconbury for storage until both airfields were closed in the early 1990s.Current use
With the end of military control, the majority of the airfield was returned to agriculture, with the buildings and control tower being demolished. The concrete runways and hardstands were removed for hardcore, although much of the perimeter track was reused for country roads, albeit at a reduced width.Recently part of the airfield has been purchased by the and is their home location for gliding throughout the summer months.