Geograph - photograph every grid square

A WWII RAF Fighter Command facility, opened in August 1942, used as one of a series of north Northumberland training bases. 59 Operational Training Unit trained some 1500 pilots in 34 months. The airfield was designed as a Class A expansion field, with runways in a triangular arrangement, and buildings dispersed around the perimeter to minimise disruption from enemy attack. The Miles Master Advanced Trainer aircraft was in common use for training but Hurricanes, Spitfires and Typhoons were all flown here as were Canadian Air Force Thunderbirds, Mustangs and Lightenings. The site was one of only two used in 1944 to develop tactics for the use of air-to-ground rockets fired from Typhoon aircraft. A memorial to the men who served here is erected in the nearby Maelmin Heritage Centre car park NT9433 : RAF Milfield war memorial
The photo shows the remaining northerly apex of the triangular runway pattern. Much of the land to the south-east was removed for sand and gravel extraction by Tarmac, starting around 1960. Much of this land is now grassed over and used by the Borders (or Milfield) Gliding Club NT9433 : Gliding home