RAF Hibaldstow, North Lincolnshire

RAF Hibaldstow

RAF Hibaldstow was built as a satellite airfield for RAF Kirton Lindsey in 1941. The land - owned by Alfred and Harry Pawson, John Day, Arthur Borrill and Harry Ellis - was a rabbit warren. When the runways were constructed, some of the hardcore was made from material taken from demolished bungalows on the site.

The airfield was commissioned on 12 May 1941 when 255 Squadron took up residence with their Defiant Night Fighters. These planes had been drawn from RAF Kirton Lindsey and made one 'kill': an HE111 which was shot down near Louth on 5 June 1941.

In June 1941 the Defiants were replaced by Beaufighter IIs and on 23 September 1941 253 (Hyderabad) Squadron from Skeabrea, Orkney arrived. In addition Havocs from Hunsden, Hertfordshire also came to the base.

By the start of 1943, the low risk of night attacks by the Luftwaffe lead to the closure of the airbase (23 January 1943). The airbase re-opened on 9 May 1943 for 53 OTU and once again closed on 15 May 1945. Shortly before closure WAAF Margaret Horton had an 'unexpected ride on the tail of a Spitfire' - which is written up elsewhere.

On 6 August 1947 the station finally closed and during 1960-61 it was sold off for use as agricultural land. It was also used for Sunday markets, as a skid-pan by Lincolnshire Police and by a local parachute club. The control tower was converted to a two storey house in 1976.

References / further information:

'Memories of RAF Hibaldstow 1941-47', Compiled by Pat Horton, (Not for sale)
'A History of Lincolnshire with Maps and Pictures', A. Rogers, 1970, Darwen Finlayson
'History of Lincolnshire - Vol. 4 - Land and people in Medieval Lincolnshire', Editor Maurice Barley, Graham Platts
'A History of Lincolnshire', Alan Rogers, 1985, Phillimore