Conington – Glatton – EGSF

I am learning to fly with Flying Club Conington, and as the name suggests, it is based at Conington Airfield (EGSF) also known as Peterborough Business airport and formerly known as RAF Glatton / USAF Station 130 during the war when it was home to the 457th Bombardment Group (Heavy) of 8th Bomber command.

Built in 1943 in the parish of Conington by the United States Army 809th Engineer Battalion, the airfield was named Glatton Airfield. It was named as such to stop any possible confusion with the airfield of Coningsby to the North in Lincolnshire. It was to become the home to the B-17’s of the 457th Bombardment group. In July of 1945 the airfield was passed back to the RAF and by April 1946 the airfield was put into ‘care and maintenance’ and closed not long afterwards.

Since then, a large proportion of the airfield, especially the hard standings, taxiways and a runway were used as hardcore for the creation of the A1 that passes close by. The majority of runway 28/10 and approx half of 16/34 survived, although the latter is rarely used now, and from the mid 70’s to the mid 90’s the airfield existed of a WW2 corrugated style hangar and a couple of portacabins. In 1995, the now club house, incorporating the tower was built. In 2000 the then club was purchased by Aerolease who then renamed it Flying Club Conington. Since then Aerolease have continued to improved the facilities and expand the training fleet.

Full information on Flying club Conington can be found HERE

Details on Glatton and the 457th Bombardment group, memoirs and many photographs can be found at www.457thbombgroup.org (although this does not look to have been updated for some time)
& www.457thbombgroupassoc.org