Wombleton Airfield

Wombleton Airfield (also known as Pickering and Welburn) is a former military aerodrome located 2.5 nautical miles east-southeast of Helmsley, North Yorkshire, England.

• Type of Facility: It was originally a military aerodrome, later becoming a private airfield. While some parts have been returned to farmland, limited flying still occurs, and it is mentioned in current flight guides with some aircraft reportedly based there. There is disagreement regarding the planning use and status of the airfield, but it could potentially be put to aviation use again with some investment.
• Location: North Yorkshire, 2nm S of A170, ENE of Harome, S of Wombleton, 2.5nm ESE of Helmsley.
• Runway Information: During WW2, it had three hard runways: 04/22 (1280x46m), 10/28 (1829x46m), and 16/34 (1280x46m). In 1990, runway 16/34 was 732x46m hard, and by 2000, runways 04/22 (400x10m hard) and 10/28 (650x15m hard) were noted. The preferred runway in 2000 was 10/28. An AAIB report in 2009 mentioned a Chipmunk taking off from Runway 29, presumably the original 10/28 runway.
• Known Uses:
• Military: Operated from 1943 to 1949, serving as an RAF Bomber Command station. It was allocated to No. 6 RCAF Group, Bomber Command, and used for training by No. 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit and No. 1679 HCU.
• Civilian: From the 1970s to the 2000s, it was used for private aviation, including test flying by Slingsby in 1975. In 1977, two GA aircraft were based there. In 2012, Swift Aircraft announced plans to take over the lease and revive the airfield for manufacturing light aircraft and relocating other aviation businesses. The most recent aviation use has been for low numbers of light aircraft and microlight flying.
• Historical Significance: Wombleton Airfield was constructed in 1942 and played a role in Bomber Command during WW2, particularly in training aircrews.

*Sources researched: ukairfieldguide.net, acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk, abct.org.uk, ukairfields.org.uk, bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca*