Report - RAF Church Fenton - Leeds - Aug 19

[Crissisdecon]

Explore:
Despite relatively easy access this site is neighboring an active airport and a MOD base, although when we went everything was quite and we didn't see anyone I would recommend to stay out of site in this location.
The multiple buildings have a handful of items connecting to the history of this place although nothing much is left. accommodation, offices, a few bunkers,, shower rooms, function rooms, a small onsite shop along with a couple of bars populate this area with quite a lot to explore.

History:
This 260 acre station was opened in 1937 and during the Second World War was home to air defence aircraft, a role retained by the station until the 1960s when it became a training station. It closed in 2013.
During September 1940 it became home to the first RAF "Eagle squadron" of American volunteers being No. 71 Squadron RAF initially with the Brewster Buffalo I for one month before changing to the Hawker Hurricane I. The airfield was also home to both the first all-Canadian and all-Polish squadrons, with No. 242 Squadron RAF for the Canadians and No. 306 Squadron RAF for the Polish.[3] 242 Squadron, first established in the First World War and then disbanded, was re-formed here in October 1939, using Canadian personnel.

 

[Crissisdecon]

Images continued

 

[Crissisdecon]

Images Continued

 

[Bugsuperstar]

Some great shots there. Unbelievable how destroyed this place is now. Good report!

 

[MarkusCP87]

Some really good shots here, remember exploring this last year

 

[jST]

Very good but how come you've taken all the photos from the perspective of a 1 foot tall person?

 

[Crissisdecon]

Very good but how come you've taken all the photos from the perspective of a 1 foot tall person?

I am in fact 1 foot tall... naa my tripod is unfolded and I take a lot of pictures I rarely extend the legs

 

[8mm]

Now that's a comprehensive shoot! Properly stripped of anything useful these days, but suprised the urinals are still intact!
Is this bit owned by the strawberry company, Makins, always seemed really odd to buy an airfield, who knew there was that much cash in soft fruit?

 

[jST]

Now that's a comprehensive shoot! Properly stripped of anything useful these days, but suprised the urinals are still intact!
Is this bit owned by the strawberry company, Makins, always seemed really odd to buy an airfield, who knew there was that much cash in soft fruit?

This bit was bought by Bellway and they're putting some houses on it. The other bit is owned by Makin, he's after a permission to develop some sort of creative industries hub there.

 

[bencadwell]

Thinking about doing this location myself at some point soon, what is it like for security and access?

 

[hiddenuser]

Thinking about doing this location myself at some point soon, what is it like for security and access?

No security at all, easy to access from main road, basically just walk in. Been there 2 days ago.