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General Information About Royal Air Force Abingdon

For sixty years RAF Abingdon served as an integral base in the Royal Air Force (RAF). Many former personnel decided to stay after retiring and make Abingdon their home, enjoying all it offered them: shopping and socializing in town while sending their children to local schools while contributing to various charities.

Before World War II began Abingdon was predominantly used as a training field; by 1940 two squadrons of Fairey Battle Bombers were stationed here - they participated in many operational raids against Germany during this era.

Abingdon Station and Airfield at Abingdon was also utilized for pilot training involving No 6 Air Experience Flight as well as London University and Oxford University Air Squadrons.

Postwar, this station became part of Transport Command with Handley Page Hastings and Blackburn Beverley squadrons from 24 and 47 squadrons being stationed here respectively, until Hawker Siddeley Andovers from 46 squadron were added as an extra fleet in 1966.

RAF Abingdon was one of the busiest maintenance fields in Britain during the 1970s, servicing aircraft such as Hawker Hunters, SEPECAT Jaguars and Blackburn Buccaneers from various manufacturers as well as refurbishing Lancaster bombers by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Abingdon was a popular destination, and its annual Air Day/Air & Country Show, held annually in September, was an immensely popular attraction, drawing crowds in their tens of thousands. Unfortunately, Abingdon airfield was closed due to defence review 'Options for Change' in July 1992; instead a technical site known as Dalton Barracks was constructed - named in honour of James Dalton VC who held an equivalent rank as quartermaster during 1879 Zulu Wars battle of Rorke's Drift.