World War II Airfields of Essex - Quick Reference Summary

 

Andrews Field (Great Saling)     

Opened: 1942   Closed 1945 Lat: 51 63 45N   Long: 00 27 30E NGR: TL 693250
Height AMSL:  290 feet Location:  5 miles W of Braintree Type:  Class A Bomber
Runways: 3 090 - 270      6,300 feet

020 - 340     4,200 feet

030 - 030     4,200 feet

  

Surface:  Tarmac over concrete
Buildings:  Temporary Hangars:  2 x Type T2 Hardstands: 50 loop
Current use/remains:  Agriculture.  Flying club operating grass strip.  Sparse remains except for hangars.  

 

Birch     

Opened: 1944   Closed 1945 Lat: 51 50 30N   Long: 00 47 00E NGR: TL 918915
Height AMSL:  140 feet Location: 5 miles SW of Colchester Type: Class A Bomber
Runways: 3 100 - 260    6,000 feet

160 - 200   4,200 feet

050 - 310   4,200 feet

 Surface: Tarmac on concrete
Buildings:  Temporary Hangars: 2 x T2 Hardstands: 50 loop
Current use/remains:  Agriculture.  A few remaining sections of ground concrete

 

Boreham   
Opened: 1944    Closed: 1945 Lat: 51 46 45N   Long: 00 31 30E NGR: TL 743120
Height AMSL: 170 Feet Location: 3.5 miles NE of Chelmsford Type:  Class A Bomber
Runways:  3 020 - 340  6,000 feet

150 - 210  4,200 feet

090 - 270  4,200 feet

 Surface: Tarmac on concrete
Buildings:  Temporary Hangars:  2 x T2 Hardstands: 50 loop
Current use/remains: Gravel extraction.  Essex Air Support Unit and Essex Air Ambulance helicopters base.  Runways being broken up (2001).  One T2 and one Romney hut (both modified), operations building and control tower remain.

 

Boxted   
Opened: 1943  Closed:  1947 Lat: 51 56 58N   Long: 00 56 00E NGR:  TM 015305
Height AMSL: 157 feet Location: 3 miles N of Colchester Type: Class A Bomber
Runways:  3 140 - 220   6,000 feet

080 - 280   4.200 feet

020 - 340   4,200 feet

 Surface:  Tarmac on concrete
Buildings:  Temporary Hangars:  2 x T2 Hardstands:  50 loop
Current use/remains:  Mostly agricultural (fruit orchards).  A few structures remain.

 

Bradwell Bay  
Opened: 1941   Closed:  1946 Lat: 51 40 04N   Long: 01 23 45E NGR: TM 005082
Height AMSL:  30 feet Location: 6 miles NE of Southminster Type:  Fighter
Runways:  3 140 - 220   5,760 feet

020 - 340   4,200 feet

172 - 352  3,000 feet

 Surface: Tarmac/asphalt on concrete
Buildings: Temporary Hangars: 12 x Blister, 1 x Bellman Hardstands: 30 pan
Current use/remains:  Mostly agricultural.  Nuclear power station. Control tower (now a dwelling), station HQ (derelict), two (?) Blister hangars plus a few structures on dispersed sites.

 

Chipping Ongar  
Opened: 1943  Closed: 1946 Lat: 51 43 48N  Long:  00 17 40E NGR: TL 582066
Height AMSL: 250 feet Location: 2 miles NE of Chipping Ongar Type: Class A Bomber
Runways:  3
 

 

Debden
 

 

Earls Colne
 

 

Fairlop
 

 

Gosfield
 

 

Great Dunmow
 

 

Great Sampford
 

 

Hornchurch
 

 

Little Walden (Hadstock)
 

 

Matching
 

 
 

 

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