Yesterday I was able to explore the hangars at Driffield (East Yorkshire), now they are privately owned and open to the public. Each Thursday a car boot sale is held hangars three and four. This gives an excellent opportunity to explore the site. I managed to speak to the new owners and they have reassured me that the hangars are safe for the time being at least.
The photograph of what appears to be a runway is in fact an perimeter track that leads to the runways (now gone). Some of the hangar doors still show signs of being patched up following an attack on the aerodrome during the war. Question: can a 7.62mm round fired from an attacking aeroplane penetrate 1/4in thick steel plate? Or are we talking about a much larger calibre round? What was carried by the German’s on their aircraft that could have done so much damage?
I understand that one hangar has a few bullet holes made by a 20mm gun. Apparently the damage is from the inside. My theory is that 20mm rounds were accidentally fired from a Venom NF of either No.33 or No.219 Squadron while being serviced in a hangar. Is this plausible?
It was good to view the adjoining camp, which is still fenced off and unused. Nothing has really changed since the site opened in 1936. All that is really missing are the water tower and control tower.
As I mentioned before the site is opened to the public every Thursday and costs 50p per car to enter. There are loads to see, buy, eat and drink. You might even bump into fellow enthusiasts or veterans also taking the opportunity to explore the site.
By: Quinny - 21st October 2006 at 08:50
I remember Driffield,when rallies were held on it,and also at nearby Leconfield.
In fact,I did my first ever rally at Leconfield,in a Rover 3500 SDi.Very scary!!!!
Ken.
By: landraver - 20th October 2006 at 22:39
not far from me ive trained there never bin in hangers will have a a look next thursday
By: MarkG - 20th October 2006 at 14:14
I understand that one hangar has a few bullet holes made by a 20mm gun. Apparently the damage is from the inside. My theory is that 20mm rounds were accidentally fired from a Venom NF of either No.33 or No.219 Squadron while being serviced in a hangar. Is this plausible?
Well Driffield was home to the Fighter Weapons School, so maybe some of the students were a little too keen to try out their Fighter Weapons! 😀
By: Phillip Rhodes - 20th October 2006 at 13:34
I hasten to add that access to the hangars is via the airfield – west of the main entrance to the camp, which is still owned by the MoD and cannot be used to access the hangar site.
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October 20, 2006 at 1:32 pm