RAF Langar
RAF · Nottingham · England · United Kingdom
RAF Langar
Opened for No.5 Group Bomber Command.
AVRO workshops to the west of the airfield, opened September 1942 closed 1963, repairing and testing Avro aircraft.
09/1942 to 10/1943, the only operational RAF unit was No. 207 Squadron with Lancasters, moved to Spilsby.
The station then used for Horsa glider storage.
10/1943, 435th Troop Carrier Group, 9th USAAF arrived with C-47s.
01/1944 to 04/1944, 441st TCG with C-47 and C-53. During this time several hundred US Waco gliders were assembled here.
07/1944 to 09/1944, C-47s of the 441st TCG operated in the 'Market' phase of Operation 'Market Garden' supplying paratroops in the Netherlands.
10/1944 to 03/1945, No. 1669 Heavy Conversion Unit with Halifax and Lancasters.
1951 to 1963, Langar airfield operated by RCAF - Royal Canadian Air Force as part of NATO, the only Canadian base in the UK at this time. 137th (Transport) Flight operated five Bristol Freighters and a Beech C-45. A major unit was the 312th Supply Depôt handling spares for F-86 Sabre.
The military airfield closed in 1963 and the AVRO workshops closed in 1968.
Rob Truman ©2001.
RAF Langar
RAF Langar
RAF Langar probably in the 1940's/50's.
T2 - Hangars.
B1 - Repair Shed.
CT - Control Tower.
AV - Aviation Petrol Instillation.
Post War air photo
RAF Langar
A late wartime photo of Site No.3 (Communal) & Site 2. With the the Gymnasium and Squash Court and circled in red either a Sergeants Mess or Officers Mess. The yellow circles are buildings I photographed.
1943/45
RAF Langar
Google image showing what Site 2 & Site No.3 (Communal) looks like today.
RAF Langar
Site No.2 and No.3 (Communal).
160 - Medical Inspection Block - TB - 6153/41.
Starting off at one of the main sites along Coach Gap Lane, there were many temporary brick buildings left and right down this road.
The airfield started in 1941 and was completed by 1942. Built as an 'A' class bomber station. The domestic sites accommodated 2007 male and 246 female personnel.
Site No.2 (Communal):
184 - Gym & Chapel TB - 4911/42.
185 - CO's Quarters - TB - 9023/41.
186 - Officers Mess - TB - 12867/41.
190 - Fuel Compound - 81'x54'
195 - Institute - TB - 4195/42.
196 - Dinning Room - TB - 9028/41.
198 - Sergeants Mess - 2612/42.
200 - Squash Court - TB - 16589/40.
Site No.3 (Communal):
158 - Picket Post - TB - 409/41.
160 - Medical Inspection Block - TB - 6183/41.
162 - Grocery & Local Produce Store - TB - 407/41.
163 - Dining Room - TB - 408/41.
165 - Institute - TB - 417/41.
167 - A. M.'s Showers & Ablutions - TB - 408/41.
170 - 60,000gal High Level Water Tank - Braithwaite.
171 - Bucket Emptying Platform.
172 - Fuel Compound - 54'x84' - 417/41.
173 - 30,000gal High Level Water Tank - Braithwaite.
176 - Officers Mess - TB - 404/41.
Air Ministry Site Plan 87/45
RAF Langar
Site No.2 .
160 - Medical Inspection Block - TB - 6153/41.
Starting off at one of the main sites along Coach Gap Lane, there were many temporary brick buildings left and right down this road.
The airfield started in 1941 and was completed by 1942. Built as an 'A' class bomber station. The domestic sites accommodated 2007 male and 246 female personnel.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.2.
162 - Grocery and Local Products Store - TB - 407/41.
Temporary brick huts now used for business.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.2.
177 - Sergeants Mess - TB - 405/41
Not visited but I believe its part of the mess.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.2.
167 - Airmen's Showers & Ablutions - TB - 408/41.
Another hut nicely converted.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
Continuing around the camp with concrete pads for hutting all the way down the left hand side of the road.
On the left would have been the 190 - Fuel Compound - 81'x54'. A concrete slab 81feet x 54ft with a dwarf brick wall and a steel mesh fence and topped in barbed wire. Inside would be stored the coal allowance. This would be dolled out to each hut with just enough, but never too much coal. It was very regulated and the barbed wire compound was to stop anybody steeling extra coal. Wow betide anybody that got caught.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
M&E Plinth
Mechanical & Electrical Plinth still in situ and and in good condition, now being used as a store area.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
Pillbox - 'NO' - Water Supply
I thought I had found a new type of pillbox but alas no its a water pump house or well head bore hole. It looks like the local garden center still use the well to extract water. There were two large water towers Site No.2 (Communal).
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
Gymnasium left - Squash Court right.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
200 - Squash Court - TB - 16589/40.
The FV432's were not left overs from the RAF.
Another good view of the squash court (building 30). A post war numbering system.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
184 - Gymnasium/Cinema - TB - 4911/42.
Gym, Cinema with Church extension, the plan below is without the church extension.
Plan of the main Gymnasium.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
184 - Gymnasium/Cinema - TB - 4911/42.
Projector room with original doors.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
184 - Gymnasium/Cinema - TB - 4911/42.
Steps up to the rewinding room.
left : the rewinding room.
Right: generator & switch room.
Centre : projector room.
Plan from RAF Macmerry where there is a very well preserved (for farming) Gym.
08 November 2005 - AM16428/40
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
184 - Gymnasium/Cinema - TB - 4911/42.
Behind and above the workings of the cinema projection rooms.
One of the original light fittings.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
184 - Gymnasium/Cinema - TB - 4911/42.
Looking out of the projector room at the gymnasium and beyond the chancel & chapel extensions.
And looking back.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
184 - Gymnasium/Cinema - TB - 4911/42.
Stores & Officers & men's un dressing rooms are all down the right hand side.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
184 - Gymnasium/Cinema - TB - 4911/42.
Chancel & chapel extension. The main body of the Gym, was for obviously sport, but also cinema, general dances, etc. The far end was a Chancel for religious services. Every unit had a Padre, and mostly Church of England, but also Catholic, Jewish and church of Scotland.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
Switch gear room and an M&E Plinth.
Inside the switch gear room.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
M&E Plinth interior.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Site No.3 (Communal).
185 - Commanding Officers Quarters - TB - 9023/41.
The Commanding Officer usually a Wing Commander rank and with that came the pleasure of your own house and a servant/batman. In most RAF camps I have visited, the one building that seems to be still standing is the
'Commanding Officers Quarters - TB - 9023/41'. I suppose it was set out as a house and so after the war, many were taken over as accommodation. RAF Macmerry, RAF Davidstow Moor and many more still have them.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield site.
75/76 - T2 Hangars - ST - 3653/42.
80 - Marston Shed - ST - 8140/43.
86 - Loading ramp - Brick - S.O.6./LAN/75.
87 - Main Workshops - R - 827/43.
90 - Main Stores (Office TB) - R - 826/43.
91 - Parachute Store - TB - 9294/42.
93 - Free Gunnery Centre - Blister - 7316/42-4095/43.
94 - A.M. Bombing Teacher - TB - 4301/42.
95 - Link Trainer - TB - 4188/42.
Air Ministry Site Plan - 86/45 - Google
RAF Langar
Airfield site.
Large storage units. Possibly built in the time the RCAF were here?
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield site.
90 - Main Store Romney huts - 826/43.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield site.
These large buildings I believe have burnt down now.
Standby Set House? not wartime.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield site.
Large storage units. Possibly built in the time the RCAF were here? all burnt down.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
E/W Runway 07.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
View of the North and West side
The control tower and the old AVRO works.
Airfield Site
75 - T2 Hangars - ST - 3653/42.
Aircraft hard standing north side and at the rear one of the T2 hangars.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
The airfield would first have had Lancaster's humming and buzzing around, later with the Americans bringing over a Group of C-47's, the noise would have increased dramatically. Between 12 & 20 aircraft per squadron, plus spares.
After that with the modern Royal Canadian Air Force, now not relying on the RAF's help with old British types had nice new American Sabre's. The Canadians used Langar as a backup for their Airforce in Germany.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Google plan of what is there.
Airfield Site plan 86/45.
Google - Air Ministry Site Plan 86/45
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
Memorial to 207 Squadron RAF.
207 Squadron flew from Langar from 21st September 1942 to 13th October 1943. Re dedication of the memorial took place on the 8th May 2004.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
Electrical cabinet.
Just after November the 5th.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
32 - Control Tower / Watch Office with Operations Room for Bomber Satellite Stations - TB - 7344/41 & 4702/43
1978 (© Rod Houldsworth via Mike Smith, Newark Air Museum) and Robert Truman
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
32 - Control Tower / Watch Office with Operations Room for Bomber Satellite Stations - TB - 7344/41 & 4702/43
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
32 - Control Tower / Watch Office with Operations Room for Bomber Satellite Stations - TB - 7344/41 & 4702/43.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
114 - Re-clad T2 Hangar one of four.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site No1
Fuel Compound and Hutting
8 - Fuel Compound - C - 413/41.
The hut, probably the office of the fuel compound?
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
Electrical junction box cupboard and its unusual to find the gear is inside.
9 - Sub-station - TB -1127/42.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
Electrical junction box cupboard and its unusual to find the gear is inside.
9 - Sub-station - TB -1127/42.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site No1.
More buildings.
10 - Maintenance & WT Block - TB - 11045/42.
WT - Wireless Telegraphy.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
Airfield Site No1.
22 - Crew briefing room and
Station Office - TB - 228/43, made of TB with an added Nissen extension, now removed.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
Airfield Site No1.
22 - Crew briefing room and
Station Office - TB - 228/43, made of TB with an added Nissen extension, now removed.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site No1.
To the right is a 13 - Technical Latrine (RAF) - TB - 9026/41.
14 - Station HQ - TB - 3653/42.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site No1.
18 - Petrol instillation Aviation - (24000) - 17124/40.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site No1.
18 - Petrol instillation Aviation - (24000) - 17124/40.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
One of the spectacle dispersals, Langar an early phase 'A' type airfield had about 36 circular dispersals and 14 spectacle dispersals.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
This has surprised me, a pillbox. Its been blown up and just left there. Very few post 1942 airfields had defences on??? or is it.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield Site
On the west side north of the ex Avro works are three of the 36ish bomber dispersals.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
Airfield plan.
Blue - RCAF Depôt.
Red - The AV Roe Factory.
IBCC Digital Archive - 08 November 2005
RAF Langar
The AV Roe Factory
Just off the airfield is the old AV Roe repair factory where Lancaster's were repaired after sustaining serious battle damage.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
No aircraft are repaired here but a lot of manufacturing and export/importing seems to goes on.
08 November 2005
RAF Langar
08 November 2005