RAF Bradwell Bay Airfield

First used pre-war as a grass landing ground for the nearby air-to-ground firing range. 1940, developed as a fighter satellite landing ground.
2/41 to 11/41, Airfield rebuilt with surfaced runways and hangars added.
4/42 to 3/43, Reopened with 418 (Cananda) Sqn Bostons from Debden on intruder raids over Europe. Also used for refuelling fighters and by many other aircraft returning from operations.
9/42 to 12/42, 23 Sqn Mosquitos.
5/43 to 9/43, 29 Sqn Mosquito nightfighters.
3/43 to 5/43, 157 Sqn Mosquitos.
6/43 to 7/43, 247 Sqn Typhoons from Gravesend.
8/43 to , 56 Sqn Typhoons.
8/43 to , 198 Sqn Typhoons.
9/43 to 5/44, 488 and 605 Sqns.
4/44 to , 219 Sqn.
4/44 to 9/44, 278 Sqn Air Sea Rescue.
4/44 to 7/44, 124 Sqn Spitfires.
8/44 to 12/44, Bradwell Bay fighter Wing formed comprising 64, 126 and 611 Spitfire IX Sqns. 611 left 10/44 Wing reformed with 310, 312, 313 (Polish) Sqns, moved to Manston 2/45.
9/44 to 3/45, 501 Sqn Tempests here intercepting V-1 flying bombs.
3/45 to , 151 Sqn Mosquito nightfighters.
6/45 to 9/45, 287 Army Co-op Sqn with Beaufighter, Oxford and Spitfires, moved to West Malling.
. ?

Bradwell Bay airfield
Airfield Today:		Agriculture
Tower Type:		Watch Office for Nightfighter Stations12096/41
Tower:		Now a house
Other Buildings:		Many
History:		First used pre-war as a grass landing ground for the nearby air-to-ground firing range. 1940, developed as a fighter satellite landing ground. 2/41 to 11/41, Airfield rebuilt with surfaced runways and hangars added. 4/42 to 3/43, Reopened with 418 (Cananda) Sqn Bostons from Debden on intruder raids over Europe. Also used for refuelling fighters and by many other aircraft returning from operations. 9/42 to 12/42, 23 Sqn Mosquitos. 5/43 to 9/43, 29 Sqn Mosquito nightfighters. 3/43 to 5/43, 157 Sqn Mosquitos. 6/43 to 7/43, 247 Sqn Typhoons from Gravesend. 8/43 to , 56 Sqn Typhoons. 8/43 to , 198 Sqn Typhoons. 9/43 to 5/44, 488 and 605 Sqns. 4/44 to , 219 Sqn. 4/44 to 9/44, 278 Sqn Air Sea Rescue. 4/44 to 7/44, 124 Sqn Spitfires. 8/44 to 12/44, Bradwell Bay fighter Wing formed comprising 64, 126 and 611 Spitfire IX Sqns. 611 left 10/44 Wing reformed with 310, 312, 313 (Polish) Sqns, moved to Manston 2/45. 9/44 to 3/45, 501 Sqn Tempests here intercepting V-1 flying bombs. 3/45 to , 151 Sqn Mosquito nightfighters. 6/45 to 9/45, 287 Army Co-op Sqn with Beaufighter, Oxford and Spitfires, moved to West Malling. . ?

RAF Station
Airfield:		Operational Fighter
Opened:		/1941
Closed:		/1946
ID Code:		RB
USAAF Station:		N/A
Runways:		3 concrete, tarmac
Hangars:		1- Bellman, 12- Blister
County:		Essex
Location:		6 miles NE of Southminster
OS Ref:		TM005082
Links:
©:		Photographs © John Watts
Bradwell Bay airfield


Station HQ behind the control tower


2003 (© John Watts)