RAF Fulbeck

The primary reason for closure was the post-World War II military drawdown. With the end of the war, the vast number of airfields built across the UK were no longer needed. RAF Fulbeck was deemed surplus to the operational requirements of the peacetime Royal Air Force, which was consolidating its forces at fewer, more strategic bases.

The site is no longer an active airfield and is now a mix of agricultural, industrial, and recreational land. The original three-runway layout is still clearly visible from satellite imagery, but the surfaces are degraded. A significant portion of the former airfield has been returned to farmland. Other sections are used for industrial purposes, including a large vehicle dismantling and metal recycling facility (Fulbeck Metals). Part of the former perimeter track has been converted into a popular and nationally recognized karting circuit, operated by the Fulbeck Kart Club. A memorial stone stands near the site to commemorate the RAF and USAAF personnel who served there.

RAF Fulbeck was a significant World War II airfield with a distinguished history involving both the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).

- **Construction and RAF Use:** Opened in 1941 as a satellite airfield for RAF Cranwell, it was constructed as a Class A bomber airfield. It initially hosted RAF Bomber Command's No. 49 Squadron, which operated Handley Page Hampdens, Avro Manchesters, and later the iconic Avro Lancaster bombers on strategic bombing missions over occupied Europe.

- **USAAF Transfer:** In 1943, the airfield was transferred to the USAAF Ninth Air Force and designated as USAAF Station 488. It became a crucial base for troop carrier operations, hosting the 434th and 442nd Troop Carrier Groups flying Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft.

- **D-Day Operations:** The most notable operation from Fulbeck was its involvement in the D-Day landings. On the night of June 5-6, 1944, C-47s from the 434th TCG took off from Fulbeck to drop paratroopers of the US 101st Airborne Division ('Screaming Eagles') into Normandy as part of Operation Neptune, the opening phase of the invasion of France.

- **Post-War:** After being returned to RAF control in late 1944, it was used for training units before being placed on care and maintenance.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening RAF Fulbeck as an airport. The land is privately owned and has been extensively redeveloped for non-aviation purposes. The cost to acquire the land and restore the heavily deteriorated infrastructure to aviation standards would be prohibitive, and there is no identified demand for a new airport in this specific location. Its reopening is considered highly unfeasible.