RAF Bottisham

The airfield was closed due to the post-World War II military drawdown. As a temporary base constructed specifically for wartime needs, it was deemed surplus to the requirements of the peacetime Royal Air Force. The land was subsequently sold and returned to its pre-war agricultural use.

The site has been almost entirely returned to agricultural land. The concrete runways, taxiways, and most aircraft hardstands were removed after its closure. A few original structures remain in a derelict or repurposed state; most notably, the original control tower has been restored and converted into a private residence. Some sections of the perimeter track are still traceable as farm tracks. A memorial to the men of the 361st Fighter Group is located in the nearby village of Bottisham.

RAF Bottisham was a significant World War II fighter base. Opened in 1940 as a satellite airfield for RAF Waterbeach, it initially hosted RAF squadrons flying Spitfires and Lysanders for defense and army co-operation. Its primary historical importance comes from its use by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) from 1943 to 1945, designated as USAAF Station 374. It was the home of the 361st Fighter Group, famously known as the 'Yellowjackets' due to their aircraft's distinctive yellow noses. As part of the Eighth Air Force, the group flew P-47 Thunderbolt and later P-51 Mustang fighters on missions including bomber escort, fighter sweeps, and ground-attack operations. They played a crucial role in the air campaign over Europe, supported the D-Day landings, and earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for their actions.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening RAF Bottisham as an airport. The site is now privately owned agricultural land, and the essential aviation infrastructure was removed over 60 years ago, making any such project economically and logistically unfeasible.