🇬🇧 RAF Hethel Airport

RAF Hethel, also known as USAAF Station 114, was constructed in 1941-1942 and used by both the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) and the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. It served as the headquarters for the 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing of the 2nd Bombardment Division from September 1943 to June 1945, hosting units like the 389th Bombardment Group flying B-24 Liberators. After the war, it was returned to the RAF, used by Polish RAF personnel, and then became a Personnel Transit Centre before being transferred to RAF Technical Training Command.

The station closed in 1948 due to the reduction of the RAF. For many years, the airfield was inactive and abandoned until it was finally sold by the Air Ministry in 1964. Today, the site is owned by Lotus Cars, which moved into a purpose-built factory there in 1966, utilizing parts of the airfield's perimeter track and main runway as a testing track. Several original structures, including hangars and a Roman Catholic chapel with original wall paintings by American airmen, remain on the site.

*Sources researched: en.wikipedia.org, heritage.norfolk.gov.uk, abct.org.uk, controltowers.co.uk, aviationtrails.co.uk*