RAF Church Fenton opened in 1937 and is the former home of the first American Eagle Squadrons.
On 25 March 2013 it was announced that Church Fenton would close by the end of 2013 and by the 19th of December, all units had been relocated and the airfield was closed. Some equipment was be relocated to RAF Topcliffe and MOD security continued to secure the site until disposal. A NOTAM was issued suspending the air traffic zone at the end of 2013.
In February 2015, the airfield was sold to a private enterprise and renamed 'Leeds East Airport'. Now divided into two, half of the site comprising of all the former military buildings is rapidly decaying and there are no plans to renovate it. The live side of the airfield is home to a private airport and a commercial flight training school as well as the 2434 (Church Fenton) Squadron ATC.
Unfortunately I didn't get around the whole site. Darkness was fast approaching and there seemed to be a fair bit of activity around the place, culminating in 4 men in high vis jackets wandering around shouting so I slipped away for an easy life!
The site is massively overgrown so its actually quite difficult to spot things.
Airman's Restaurant
Restaurant Kitchens
35mm
35mm
Restaurant
Accommodation Block Stairwell
Typical Room
Shelter under one of the accommodation blocks. There was an escape tunnel and hatch too.
Social Club
Bar area.
Sgt's Mess.
35mm
Krypton
On 25 March 2013 it was announced that Church Fenton would close by the end of 2013 and by the 19th of December, all units had been relocated and the airfield was closed. Some equipment was be relocated to RAF Topcliffe and MOD security continued to secure the site until disposal. A NOTAM was issued suspending the air traffic zone at the end of 2013.
In February 2015, the airfield was sold to a private enterprise and renamed 'Leeds East Airport'. Now divided into two, half of the site comprising of all the former military buildings is rapidly decaying and there are no plans to renovate it. The live side of the airfield is home to a private airport and a commercial flight training school as well as the 2434 (Church Fenton) Squadron ATC.
Unfortunately I didn't get around the whole site. Darkness was fast approaching and there seemed to be a fair bit of activity around the place, culminating in 4 men in high vis jackets wandering around shouting so I slipped away for an easy life!
The site is massively overgrown so its actually quite difficult to spot things.
Airman's Restaurant
Restaurant Kitchens
35mm
35mm
Restaurant
Accommodation Block Stairwell
Typical Room
Shelter under one of the accommodation blocks. There was an escape tunnel and hatch too.
Social Club
Bar area.
Sgt's Mess.
35mm
Krypton
