Unit History: RAF Dishforth
RAF Dishforth (IATA: N/A, ICAO: EGXD) is a Royal Air Force/British Army station in North Yorkshire, England. It is currently an Army Air Corps helicopter base and a Relief Landing Ground for RAF Linton-on-Ouse. The RAFGSA (Royal Air Force Gliding and Sailplane Association) Cleveland Gliding Club operates from there. It is located next to the A1(M) at Junction 49 with the A168. RAF Dishforth is built over part of the Great North Road which is also the old A1.
Dishforth opened in 1936. At the beginning of the Second World War it became part of 4 Group, Bomber Command, and was used for recruit training. Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bombers were flown from there in 1940. Between 1943 and 1945 the station was used by No. 6 (RCAF) Group RAF Bomber Command and was a sub-station of RAF Topcliffe. Immediately after the war the station was used to convert aircrew to the Douglas Dakota transport aircraft.
Dishforth was transferred from the RAF to Army Air Corps use by No 9 Regiment AAC.
Dishforth was the first base to receive the Apache helicopter, and had 16, divided between 2 squadrons. There is also a support squadron of Lynx Mk.7 helicopters.Following a reshuffle of AAC units in 2006/2007 Apaches were concentrated on Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk,Dishforth now having Lynx/Gazelle.
Dishforth opened in 1936. At the beginning of the Second World War it became part of 4 Group, Bomber Command, and was used for recruit training. Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bombers were flown from there in 1940. Between 1943 and 1945 the station was used by No. 6 (RCAF) Group RAF Bomber Command and was a sub-station of RAF Topcliffe. Immediately after the war the station was used to convert aircrew to the Douglas Dakota transport aircraft.
Dishforth was transferred from the RAF to Army Air Corps use by No 9 Regiment AAC.
Dishforth was the first base to receive the Apache helicopter, and had 16, divided between 2 squadrons. There is also a support squadron of Lynx Mk.7 helicopters.Following a reshuffle of AAC units in 2006/2007 Apaches were concentrated on Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk,Dishforth now having Lynx/Gazelle.
Memories of RAF Dishforth
(Memories written by members of Forces Reunited)
RAF DISHFORTH in 1951
Written by walter laidlaw
My name is walter laidlaw - better knowned as JOCK when I did my trade training at Dishforth june to december 1951 in the air movements section.My six months at Dishforth were very happy indeed, working on Vallettas and Hastings I managed to get a few trips on board as apprentice airquartermaster to the middle east and canal zone.
I had just returned from the canal zone (Fayid) in November 1951 when iI told my mates what a dump the Zone was, exciting but a dump, then I was told I had been posted abroad as an AC1 air movements to guess where - Canal Zone !!After two months at El Hamra transit camp I was lucky enough to get posted to RAF Muharraq (Bahrein) great camp.
Any chance any national service RAF sprogs reading this remember me, I would love to be in touch with just anyone who new me at Credenhill, Dishforth, Canal Zone, Habbaniya (Iraq), or Bahrain especially, just to talk about the good old times, best two years of my life.
I am now a pensioner living near Glasgow with my wife of fifty years and hoping to meet or talk to my old pals Ron Jones, Keith Nott, the Cooper twins, Joe Laws, Jock McKerracher (kilmarnock) Eric Stubbs (Lewes) before it is too late. Have already had Kidney failure and a triple cardiac artery bypass, come on lads get in touch.Home phone number 0141 881 5202 email address wlaidlaw2003@yahoo.co.uk
RAF Dishforth, squarebashing bidgenorth june july 1959.hut318 d squadron.police trade training julyt in 1959
Written by reg buckle
square bashing at raf bridgenorth jun july 1959 .hut318 d squadronraf police training raf netherhaven july to sept 1959
posted to raf dishforthsept 1959tonov 1960
posted to raf notholt nov1960 until demobed june 1961.I worked in the main guardroom and also airfield southside guardroom.
