Introduction
This was the most anticipated site me and @Wastelandr planned to visit on our exploring trip to Lincolnshire back in December, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Information & History
RAF Kirton in Lindsey originally opened as a Royal Flying Corps base during the first World War. It was used by B Flight of Gainsborough-based 33 Squadron between 1916 and 1919. The airfield was returned to agricultural use until 1940 when the WW2 conflict saw it re-open as a fully fledged RAF fighter station. This was during the Expansion Period where there was a need to increase the number of aircraft in the RAF to match Germany’s growing armed forces. The USAAF took over the station in 1942 for the 1st and 81st Fighter Group, the base was then returned in RAF use in May 1943.
In 1966, the control was transferred to the British Army until being passed on to the Royal Artillery in 1972, at the same time the station was renamed ‘Napier Barracks’. In 2004, the station was returned to RAF control again and became the home of No. 1 Air Control Centre which relocated from RAF Boulmer. Finally, in 2012, the site was vacated and No. 1 ACC moved to Scampton, some services and accommodation were retained until 2014 when it closed for good and MOD sold the site.
Expansion Era, Building Planning & Design
Several expansion schemes were made which involved the construction of a large number of airbases. The first scheme (A) was adopted in July 1934. Kirton Lindsey was part of Scheme L which was passed by the cabinet in April 1938. Other bases constructed during this scheme included nearby bases Lindholme and Binbrook, in addition to Coltishall in Norfolk. Many of these larger expansion era airfields were built to a standard design which has been seen at derelict bases such as RAF West Raynham, RAF Binbrook and Upwood.
Below is an example of station planning, in this case, the plans for RAF Feltwell, which was one of the first expansion airfields constructed and was part of Scheme A.
Image Source
Many of the expansion-era airfields have standardised designs. Kirton in Lindsey had a number of ‘Type C’ hangars which were 91 metres in length with a width of approximately 46 metres. By 1944, 64 expansion airfields had at least one Type C hangar constructed. Unfortunately, during our visit, we couldn’t access any of these as they have been repurposed for industrial & commercial use.
Other standardised design features include the well-known ‘H’ shaped accommodation blocks and Officers Mess buildings that were also of the same design, some larger than others depending on the size of the base and the number of personnel based there. Most, if not all, of the ‘H’ blocks contained an underground air-raid shelter with an associated escape hatch for air raids. Earlier bases took on the ‘T’ shape.
The RAF needed to grow quickly during the period so a uniform design allowed airfields to be built and operational faster. Construction workers were on site 24 hours a day and worked efficiently thanks to the standardised layouts which meant crews could follow repeatable blueprints reducing delays and material shortages. Another benefit of the standardised design was the ease of training personnel. Essential facilities such as the hangars, accommodation and control towers were all built in predictable locations.
The design of the sites had to be in line with guidelines by the Royal Fine Arts Commission and the Society for the Preservation of Rural England. The bottom line for the restrictions was to design and construct a building which is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
The Explore
This was such a relaxed wander and was very much enjoyable, we spent most of the day here and still didn’t manage to cover every single building. For example, we only went in a couple of the accommodation blocks as many of them are the same. It was funny that all buildings were metal boarded but the doors on pretty much all buildings were open, which made accessing the buildings a doddle. Climbing the water tower, and visiting the boiler house was a highlight for me. Unfortunately, the weather was terrible with a bad storm, and we got soaked when walking between buildings.
Photos
Starting with a few images from the accommodation blocks, some were still complete with furniture, but many areas were empty:
The staircases and toilets/washrooms were identical to that of West Raynham:
This building was home to the canteen, restaurant and bar area:
Fridge/freezer room:
Main kitchen area:
Upstairs appeared to be an area used for entertainment and leisure purposes, with another bar here:
CONTINUED...
This was the most anticipated site me and @Wastelandr planned to visit on our exploring trip to Lincolnshire back in December, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Information & History
RAF Kirton in Lindsey originally opened as a Royal Flying Corps base during the first World War. It was used by B Flight of Gainsborough-based 33 Squadron between 1916 and 1919. The airfield was returned to agricultural use until 1940 when the WW2 conflict saw it re-open as a fully fledged RAF fighter station. This was during the Expansion Period where there was a need to increase the number of aircraft in the RAF to match Germany’s growing armed forces. The USAAF took over the station in 1942 for the 1st and 81st Fighter Group, the base was then returned in RAF use in May 1943.
In 1966, the control was transferred to the British Army until being passed on to the Royal Artillery in 1972, at the same time the station was renamed ‘Napier Barracks’. In 2004, the station was returned to RAF control again and became the home of No. 1 Air Control Centre which relocated from RAF Boulmer. Finally, in 2012, the site was vacated and No. 1 ACC moved to Scampton, some services and accommodation were retained until 2014 when it closed for good and MOD sold the site.
Expansion Era, Building Planning & Design
Several expansion schemes were made which involved the construction of a large number of airbases. The first scheme (A) was adopted in July 1934. Kirton Lindsey was part of Scheme L which was passed by the cabinet in April 1938. Other bases constructed during this scheme included nearby bases Lindholme and Binbrook, in addition to Coltishall in Norfolk. Many of these larger expansion era airfields were built to a standard design which has been seen at derelict bases such as RAF West Raynham, RAF Binbrook and Upwood.
Below is an example of station planning, in this case, the plans for RAF Feltwell, which was one of the first expansion airfields constructed and was part of Scheme A.
Image Source
Many of the expansion-era airfields have standardised designs. Kirton in Lindsey had a number of ‘Type C’ hangars which were 91 metres in length with a width of approximately 46 metres. By 1944, 64 expansion airfields had at least one Type C hangar constructed. Unfortunately, during our visit, we couldn’t access any of these as they have been repurposed for industrial & commercial use.
Other standardised design features include the well-known ‘H’ shaped accommodation blocks and Officers Mess buildings that were also of the same design, some larger than others depending on the size of the base and the number of personnel based there. Most, if not all, of the ‘H’ blocks contained an underground air-raid shelter with an associated escape hatch for air raids. Earlier bases took on the ‘T’ shape.
The RAF needed to grow quickly during the period so a uniform design allowed airfields to be built and operational faster. Construction workers were on site 24 hours a day and worked efficiently thanks to the standardised layouts which meant crews could follow repeatable blueprints reducing delays and material shortages. Another benefit of the standardised design was the ease of training personnel. Essential facilities such as the hangars, accommodation and control towers were all built in predictable locations.
The design of the sites had to be in line with guidelines by the Royal Fine Arts Commission and the Society for the Preservation of Rural England. The bottom line for the restrictions was to design and construct a building which is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
The Explore
This was such a relaxed wander and was very much enjoyable, we spent most of the day here and still didn’t manage to cover every single building. For example, we only went in a couple of the accommodation blocks as many of them are the same. It was funny that all buildings were metal boarded but the doors on pretty much all buildings were open, which made accessing the buildings a doddle. Climbing the water tower, and visiting the boiler house was a highlight for me. Unfortunately, the weather was terrible with a bad storm, and we got soaked when walking between buildings.
Photos
Starting with a few images from the accommodation blocks, some were still complete with furniture, but many areas were empty:
The staircases and toilets/washrooms were identical to that of West Raynham:
This building was home to the canteen, restaurant and bar area:
Fridge/freezer room:
Main kitchen area:
Upstairs appeared to be an area used for entertainment and leisure purposes, with another bar here:
CONTINUED...
