Airport type Military Elevation AMSL 593 ft / 181 m 1,095 3,593 | Location Colerne 01/19 1,095 Elevation 181 m | |
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Operator University Air Squadron Address Colerne, Chippenham SN14 8AT, UK | ||
Colerne airfield
Colerne Airfield (ICAO: EGUO), formerly known as RAF Colerne, is located at Colerne, Wiltshire, England.
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History
By October 1940 RAF Colerne was still partly in the course of construction being a fighter station for the defence of Bristol. At that date the contractors were still building and the ground was a quagmire in many areas. Unfinished barrack blocks were pretty cold and there was very little running water. Troops were taken in Bedford trucks once a week to the luxurious baths in Bath used in peacetime by wealthy invalids. These sunken baths, tiled and entered down steps by brass handrails were in contrast to conditions at the camp. The 87 squadron was there and a Polish fighter squadron.
Later Defiants came but they were not a success as nightfighters and were superseded by the more suitable Beaufighter.
It was at a later time taken over by the Army.
Colerne Airfield was the filming location for Top Gear's "Airport Vehicle Race", featured in Series 14 Episode 4.
Present day
The airfield is a ground station for the Skynet 5 military satellite system that provides battlefield support (e.g. real-time imagery from remote-piloted drones in various theatres of war). It is also in close proximity to the underground Corsham Computer Centre.
The airfield (as RAF Colerne) is a base for the Bristol University Air Squadron (3 AEF), that provides ab-initio pilot training for the RAF.
The site is also the location of Azimghur Barracks, home to 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support).
Future
In November 2016 the Ministry of Defence announced that RAF Colerne would close in 2018, and Azimghur Barracks in 2031.