North Pickenham
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1969 (© Peter J Broom)
North Pickenham airfield
Airfield Today:
Agriculture
Tower Type:
Watch Office for All Commands 12779/41 with medium front windows 343/43
Tower:
Demolished - if anyone has more photos of North Pickenham tower please let me know!
Other Buildings:
Not known
History:
4/44 to 8/44, 856th, 857th, 858th and 859th Bombardment Squadrons of the 492nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-24 Liberators. This unit was operational for three months and flew 64 missions but lost 57 Liberators, the highest loss rate of any 8th USAAF bomb group. The unit was then disbanded and its personnel transferred to other units, the Bomb Squadron numbers were transferred to the 801st BG (P) at Harrington.
8/44 to 8/45, 852nd, 853rd, 854th and 855th Bomb Sqns of the 491st BG (H) 'The Ringmasters' with B-24 Liberators, moved in from Metfield. 491st BG flew a total of 187 missions losing 47 aircraft in action along with another 23, won a Distinguished Unit Citation 26/11/44 for the mission to Misburg, last mission 25/4/45.
8/45 to 3/48, used by No. 258 MU as a satellite to Shipdham, RAF Bomber Command and the USAAF.
12/58 to 10/63, 220 Sqn with Thor ballistic missiles, airfield then officially closed but used 10/64 to 11/65 for testing the Hawker P1127 Kestrel, forerunner of the Harrier. Airfield sold 1967.
1969 (© Steve Bond)
RAF and 8th USAAF Station
Airfield:
Operational Bomber
Opened:
/1944
Closed:
/1965
ID Code:
NP
USAAF Station:
143
Runways:
3 concrete, tarmac
Hangars:
2x - T2
County:
Norfolk
Location:
2 1/2 miles SE of Swaffham
OS Ref:
TF849068
Links:
©:
Photographs © copyright as stated
North Pickenham airfield 1944-65
RAF North Pickenham airfield - 492nd BG - 491st BG -
North Pickenham 491 BG - 492 BG - B-24 airfield + control tower = www.controltowers.co.uk © robert truman 2006