Dates: 1937 - 2007
RAF Harrogate Linton-on-Ouse (usually just referred to as RAF Linton On Ouse) is a Royal Air Force station at Linton-on-Ouse near York in Yorkshire, England. It is currently a major flying training centre, one of the RAF’s busiest airfields. It has satellite stations at RAF Topcliffe, RAF Church Fenton and RAF Dishforth.
RAF Linton-on-Ouse opened on 13 May 1937 as a bomber airfield and was the home of No 4 Group until 1940. The base’s first commander was Wing Commander A D Pryor (1938 Air Force Lists).
When the Second World War began, bombers were launched from Linton to drop propaganda leaflets over Germany and the base was eventually used to launch bombing raids on Norway, The Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. Linton was one of 11 stations allocated to No. 6 Group, Royal Canadian Air Force during the war.
At the end of the war the station was involved with transporting passengers and freight back to the UK. After which it became a fighter command station until it was closed for maintenance in 1957.
On 9 September 1957, the base was reopened as the home of No 1 Flying Training School (FTS) and was responsible for training pilots for both the RAF and the Navy.
In 1985, engineering and supply services were contracted out to private firms. The contract for this is currently held by VT Aerospace.
Today, Linton-on-Ouse is used to provide fast jet pilot training before they move onto the BAE Hawk T.1 aircraft at No 4 FTS, RAF Valley in Wales. Weapon Systems Operators receive part of their training here also. In addition, the base is used by 642 VGS (Volunteer Gliding Squadron) to teach Air Cadets how to fly the Grob Vigilant aircraft. The station houses a memorial room which recounts the history of the base and the units which have been associated with it
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving RAF Linton on Ouse
" My late husband W.O. Ken Slater served in the RAF Regt for 38 years from 1950. He was SWO at Catterick when it was Regt Depot. And finished his service at RAF Linton on Ouse to be near York where we had a house. I (Hilda) travelled with him for 36 of those years. ken died in 1994. ..."
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"hey to every one just to say hi...and if any one who knows me get in touch...i was mostly at RAF linton on ouse.. ran the riding club there and most people will remember me thru having horses...was a chef...would like to get back in touch with any one from either swinderby, gioia del colle, linton on ouse or RAF catering in ALDERSHOT....so come on get in touch..... "
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"looking for dave with no luck yet;orignally from york was on the mountain desert rescue at raf sharjah then the mountain rescue team at raf leeming i beleive dave became a fireman at raf linton on ouse and was living back in york can anyone help please woodywoodyatt "
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"Bernard Singleton J1941661 Boy Entrant
40th Entry Hereford 1960-61
RAf Coningsby 1962-63
RAF Waddington Feb 1962 (Det)
RAF Bahrain 1963-64
RAf Linton on Ouse 1964-69
Majunga Nov 1966
Khormaksar (?) Dec 1966 & Jan, Feb 1967
RAF Laarbruch 1969-1972
RAF Patrington & Staxton Wold 1972-73
RAF Scampton 1973-74 on demob
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"i served my national service between 1950 and 1952 at raf linton on ouse and was seconded to raf stanmore park in that time.
i’d love to hear from anyone who remembers me."
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