| RAF Little Rissington | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| IATA: - ICAO: EGVL | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Military | ||
| Operator | Royal Air Force | ||
| Serves | Bourton-on-the-Water | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 730 ft (223 m) | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 04/22 | 4,902 | 1,494 | Asphalt |
| 09/27 | 3,560 | 1,085 | Asphalt |
| 14/32 | 3,232 | 985 | Asphalt |
RAF Little Rissington (EGVL) is a RAF Aerodrome and former RAF station in Gloucestershire, England. It was once home to the Central Flying School, the Red Pelicans and the Headquarters to the Red Arrows. Built during the 1930s, the station was opened in 1938 and closed in 1994. The married quarters and main technical site were sold in 1996 (the former becoming the village of Upper Rissington), but the aerodrome has been retained by the Ministry of Defence and remains active along with the southern technical sites, under the operational control of HQAC at RAFC Cranwell. It is now home to; 637 Volunteer Gliding Squadron who provide elementary flying training for Combined Cadet Force and Air Training Corps cadets, the Home Office Experimental Still-Air Fire Test Facility, and the aviation maintenance company Devonair. RAF Little Rissington is also used by the UK Military as a Relief Landing Ground, Training Area and Paradropping Area. In previous years, the Royal Air Force base has been used to film movie scenes; from The Avengers (film), to part of the ice chase in Die Another Day.
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History
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The beginning - 1930's into War
During the build up to the Second World War, the Air Ministry began constructing major airfields across the United Kingdom under what was known as the Expansion Period. RAF Little Rissington was one of these airfields. Royal Air Force Station Little Rissington officially opened in 1938, comprising of the domestic site and a grass airfield. During 1942, the airfield had three asphalt runways laid. Extra land accommodated Sites A to E. Later in the war, the main runway 05/23 was extended northerly (later to become the main instrument runway), 09/27 and 14/32 were extended easterly and south easterly respectively. Up to 1945 the Station accommodated No.6 Service Flying Training School and No.8 Maintenance Unit, housed hundreds of aircraft across its dispersals.
Central Flying School - 1946 to 1976
1946 the Royal Air Force Central Flying School moved to Little Rissington. Little Rissington also became the home to the Official Aerobatics Team which included the Red Pelicans and later the Red Arrows. Also during this period saw the airfield expanded, including a new Fire Building and Air Traffic Control tower built.
Imjim Barracks - 1977 to 1979
RAF Little Rissington changed hands after CFS's departure to the British Army, and with the arrival of the Royal Irish Rangers Little Rissington became Imjim Barracks.
USAF(E) RAF Little Rissington - 1981 to 1993
With the arrival of the United States Air Force in Europe, Little Rissington became the largest military contingency hospital in Europe. The aerodrome was cleared for C-130 Hercules and C5 Galaxies. During the Gulf War, Little Rissington was held on its highest readiness state for several decades as it prepared for casualties. With the change of presidency the USAF pulled out of Little Rissington and it returned to the Royal Air Force.
The draw down - 1994 to 2005
Little Rissington fell foul of the Government's Options for Change package and the entire site was put up for sale, and the domestic and main technical sites of the Station were sold to a property developer. Much of the Station still exists almost untouched, but as a business park. The aerodrome saw many hangars demolished including Air Traffic Control, but was eventually not sold.
Revival - 2006 to present
Following a Defence Review to look at the disposal of RAF Little Rissington, the immediate future of the Aerodrome was secured. Several buildings received some minor upgrades and the closing weeks of 2006, an Aircraft Maintenance firm Devonair moved into RAF Little Rissington under an agreement with the Ministry of Defence. Today, RAF Little Rissington remains active for Elementary Flying Training, and Aircraft Maintenance (be it a Civilian Firm). With the increasing reduction in Military Aerodromes, RAF Little Rissington's aviation activities are steadily becoming more active for these purposes.
Rumours of an Underground Hospital
It is a local belief that a nuclear proof underground hospital lies underneath RAF Little Rissington. If this rumour is true it is said to have been built by the United States Air Force. This rumour has however never proved conclusive. However, it is widely accepted that Tunnels were dug during the Second World War for the Royal Observer Corps, whether this Tunnel network was developed during the 1980s is unknown. On the main technical site exists a Bunker attached to the Sick Ward/Medical Centre, commonly mistaken for the rumoured underground USAF(E) hospital. The ward/bunker is covered in earth for protection, to remove the need to move patients during Air Raids. Dating back to the Station's inception in the 1930s, it sits above the surface and is not nuclear proof. Photos can be found here (Flickr) [1].
Historic Monuments
RAF Little Rissington is one of several MoD estates with an ancient monument. On the eastern side of the aerodrome exists a Long barrow, dating back to between 4000BC and 2400BC. During the second world war, the Air Ministry built a large scale air-raid shelter into it to protect the service men and women working in the Maintenance Units. Under the MoD's obligation to preserve and protect the UK's ancient monuments on their estates, this particular monument has in recent years been subject to several inspections by Defence Estates.
Units
Maintenance Units
- No.8 Maintenance Unit (1938-?)
Flying Training Units
- No.6 Service Flying Training School (1938-1942), renamed No.6 Pilot-Advanced Flying Unit (1942-?)
- No.23 Blind Approach Training Flight (1941-1942), renamed No.1523 Blind Approach Training Flight (1942-1945)
- Royal Air Force Central Flying School (1946-1976)
- No.637 Gliding School (1976-2005), renamed No.637 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (2005-Present)
Aerobatics Display Units
- The Sparrows (1958)
- The Redskins (1959)
- The Red Pelicans (1960-1973)
- The Red Arrows (1964-1976)
Army Units
- Royal Irish Rangers (1977-1978)
Overseas Units
- United States Air Force - European Force (1981-1993)
- 20th Tactical Fighter Wing - (Lodging)
