Bircham Newton

The history of RAF Bircham Newton is almost like the history of the RAF itself. Peter M Walker records that during the period 1916-62 nearly 70 different squadrons and units operated from the airfield. The list of aircraft types based here is endless, even including the Kestrel (forerunner of the Harrier). At various times it was part of Fighter Command, Bomber Command, Coastal Command and Technical Training Command. 101 Squadron operated the Norwich built Bolton and Paul Sidestrand from here 1929-35. You could write a book about Bircham Newton, in fact Peter Gunn did. It is now a construction industry training centre but a public road runs through it and you can see some interesting RAF station architecture.