RAF Matlaske

RAF Matlaske
IATA: none – ICAO: none
Summary
Airport type		Military
Owner		Air Ministry
Operator		Royal Air Force United States Army Air Forces British Army
Location		Matlaske, Norfolk
Built		1940 (1940)
In use		1940-1945 (1945)
Elevation AMSL		177 ft / 54 m
Coordinates		52°51′38″N 001°11′22″E
Map
RAF Matlaske Location in Norfolk
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	ft	m
00/00	0,000	0,000	Concrete
00/00	0,000	0,000	Concrete
00/00	0,000	0,000	Concrete

RAF Matlaske (known officially as RAF Matlask) was a satellite air field of the Royal Air Force to RAF Coltishall, situated near Matlaske in Norfolk, England.

History

In September 1942, the airfield was allocated to the 8th United States Army Air Forces as a fighter base but was only used from March to April 1943 by P-47 Thunderbolts of the 56th Fighter Group from RAF Kings Cliffe.

From August 1942 to July 1943, No. 56 Squadron RAF Typhoons from RAF Snailwell moved to Manston.

No. 195, 245, 266 and 609 Squadron Typhoons, No. 19 Sqn Spitfires and the USAAF's 56th Fighter Group P-47 Thunderbolts were detached here at various times from August 1942 to August 1943.

From April to May 1943, No. 1489 Flight RAF conducted target towings with Hawker Henleys, Westland Lysanders, M.25 Martinets and M.9 Masters, which were also based at RAF Coltishall and RAF Sutton Bridge.

In August 1943, the airfield was transferred to 8th USAAF control and rebuilt. Reopened in September 1944 and used by 3, 19, 56, 65, 122, 229, 451, 453, 485, and 601 Squadrons at various times until October 1945.

From July to October 1945, the British Army operated Taylorcraft Austers as liaison aircraft from here.

Units

The following units served at Matlaske at one point or another during World War II:

Royal Air Force

• No. 3 Squadron RAF
• No. 19 Squadron RAF
• No. 56 Squadron RAF
• No. 65 Squadron RAF
• No. 72 Squadron RAF
• No. 122 Squadron RAF
• No. 137 Squadron RAF (Famous for its use of the Westland Whirlwind fighter)
• No. 222 Squadron RAF
• No. 229 Squadron RAF
• No. 245 Squadron RAF
• No. 266 Squadron RAF
• No. 278 Squadron RAF
• No. 601 Squadron RAF

• No. 1489 Flight RAF

Royal Australian Air Force

• No. 451 Squadron RAAF
• No. 453 Squadron RAAF

Royal Canadian Air Force

• No. 412 Squadron RCAF

Royal New Zealand Air Force

• No. 485 Squadron RNZAF

United States Army Air Forces

• 56th Fighter Group

Aircraft

The following aircraft types served at the base:

• Supermarine Spitfire
• Hawker Henley
• Hawker Hurricane
• Hawker Typhoon
• M.9 Master
• M.25 Martinet
• P-39 Airacobra
• P-47 Thunderbolt
• Taylorcraft Auster
• Supermarine Walrus
• Westland Lysander
• Westland Whirlwind

References

Bibliography

• Jefford, C.G, MBE,BA ,RAF (Retd). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.