RAF Binbrook History Wanted

http://www.binbrook.demon.co.uk/html/Fairey_Battle.html

I am currently researching all aspects of this former aerodrome from the opening throughout to its permanent closure in the early 90,s for a website and maybe future publication.
I am trying to collect recollections,photographs of the airfield and buildings as well as all the different aircraft that was stationed there.
I have managed to collect several wartime pctures so far but would love to hear from anyone who was stationed at any time there to help me with all kinds of details ,stories,pictures or anything Binbrook related which might help me through this long search.
Any help in any way is extremely gratefull.

Hi Binbrook 74
Yes its an old thread but maybe you are still looking for Binbrook stories.
I did ‘Summer Camp’ with the Royal Observer Corps at Binbrook in the years 1960 & 61 when the airfield was closed for runway extension presumably for the lightnings. I think these were general camps for all ROC Groups. Unfortunately the only picture I still have is a poor B&W pic of the spitfire Gate Guardian PS915.
Regards
bill

AJM

“Category 5” by Colin Cummings records the following:

“02 APR 54, WF891, Canberra B2, 12 Sqn, RAF Binbrook
The aircraft was being flown on a squadron commander’s check. Immediately after take off the port engine failed and the pilot did not take remedial action sufficiently quickly to prevent the port wing striking the ground. The aircraft struck the GCA vehicle after sliding along the ground and then continued to slide backwards into the GRDF hut. Although the pilot and one of the navigators survived (Pilot Officer RJ Careless and Flight Lieutenant PM Mitchell), the other navigator and the Sqn Cdr were killed.

Sqn Ldr John Steven Millington DFC 32 Pilot and Officer Commanding 12 Sqn (Sqn Ldr Millington had received his DFC as a result of anti-shipping operations when serving with 524 Sqn)
Flying Officer Gordon Keith Horn 28 Navigator

Hi Paul. I would have know your father, I was at 617 dispersal 1950 to 1955. 617 squadron disbanded in 1954 and I ended up in the electrical section until demob.
Ken.

My Dad did his national service as an engine fitter on 617 Canberras in the period 52-54 (not sure of exact dates, but 617 had not long ago given up Lincolns when he started). He had a photo of what I think (it was some time since I last saw it) was a rather battered engine from a Canberra on a piece of runway which he said was from a Canberra that crashed on take off, but I am not sure which one. From what you say, it could I guess be WF891

Paul

I have the following details of No 85 Sqdn Meteor aircraft at Binbrook circa Sep 1970 :

Meteor F.8 WH291/T,WH364/U,WH305/V,WK654/X,WK914/Y
Meteor T.7 WL378/W,WH223/Z

It was a B.2 WF891 of 12 sqdn had an engine fail on take off and hit the GCA vehicle 2.4.54 the crew were killed.

Hi Andrew.

The only crash I know and I think it was 54 (Memory gats hazy at 74) was the C.O. of 617 Squadron. He took off and every thing failed and he crashed at Bully Hill, near Tealby. He was Sqadron/Leader O.Brian-Nicholls and I was a bearer at his funeral at Binbrook church.

Ken Ex J/T. 617 Sqdn.

Hi Ken

Thank you for your quick response (I’m impressed – my memory is hazy at 59!!).

This was a different accident – it occurred on take-off and I think involved the aircraft hitting the GCA caravan.

Andrew

Hi Binbrook 74,

My Grandfather was stationed ther in the mid 60s and my father met mother in Caistor, I grew up in Immingham so it was a local base for me right up till the end of flying.

Dad has lots of pictures from the early 70s till they finished, including some scary moments with Lightnings.

Tim

Hi, Binbrook 01.

Who did your father marry in Caistor, I used to live there, I worked for Cherry Valley Farms and lived down Cromwell View.

Ken

Canberra crash. Binbrook.

Hi Andrew.

The only crash I know and I think it was 54 (Memory gats hazy at 74) was the C.O. of 617 Squadron. He took off and every thing failed and he crashed at Bully Hill, near Tealby. He was Sqadron/Leader O.Brian-Nicholls and I was a bearer at his funeral at Binbrook church.

Ken Ex J/T. 617 Sqdn.

12 Squadrron Canberra Crash 2 April 1954

Hi Binbrook 74.
I was there from 1951 to 1956 with 617 Squadron. They had Avro Lincolns then and in 1952 we got our first Canberra B2. When all the Squadrons were posted in we had 9, 12, 50, 101, 139 (Jamaica) and 617 Squadrons. When 617 Squadron disbanded to retrain on Vulcans, I was transfered to ASF flight.

Ken

Hi Ken

I was wondering whether you had any recollections of a Canberra crash on takeoff at Binbrook in April 1954. If you have any information I would be very interested as my father was killed in the crash.

Andrew

I have a few pictures at http://lincolnshireairfields.fotopic.net/c435362_1.html

Can I recommend the websites below?

http://aviationpages.fotopic.net/
http://airfieldarchaeology.fotopic.net/
http://www.oldairfields.fotopic.net/

Hi Binbrook 74,

My Grandfather was stationed ther in the mid 60s and my father met mother in Caistor, I grew up in Immingham so it was a local base for me right up till the end of flying.

Dad has lots of pictures from the early 70s till they finished, including some scary moments with Lightnings.

Tim

RAF Binbrook.

Hi Binbrook 74.
I was there from 1951 to 1956 with 617 Squadron. They had Avro Lincolns then and in 1952 we got our first Canberra B2. When all the Squadrons were posted in we had 9, 12, 50, 101, 139 (Jamaica) and 617 Squadrons. When 617 Squadron disbanded to retrain on Vulcans, I was transfered to ASF flight.

Ken

Well I was there from 1979 to 1985, first in LSS ( the training school) and then as a Chf Tech running one of the major servicing teams in ASF, so if I can help please feel free to contact me!

Hi
Many thanks for that.
I already have a copy of that book which has given me quite a lot of information.
It is in fact quite a very good read .

If you can track down a copy, try and get hold of ‘Offence to Defence’ The History of RAF Binbrook by Stewart Scott & John Jackson.

ISBN No 1 87038407 5

A 72 page softback book on the complete history of Binbrook right up untill its closure.

There are a few good web sites too that a quick goggle will bring up but this book is a gem.

Regards,

John.