Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Seighford Airfield
Hob Uid: 1410497
Location : Staffordshire Stafford Ranton, Seighford, Ellenhall
Grid Ref : SJ8660025100
Summary : A former World War Two military airfield and later civillian airfield. Construction began in 1942 and the airfield was opened in 1943. It was equipped with three concrete runways and perimeter track. The technical site and hangars were to the north end of the airfield, the Type B1 and T2 aircraft hangars were on the far side of the B5405 road. The original Type T2 was still extant in 1994. The airfield was provided with an unusual design of control tower which was intended to act as a strongpoint with loopholed walls, this was also extant in 1994, as were earthwork remains of the airfield's bomb stores. The airfield was also defended by a battle headquarters (please see SJ 82 NE 19 for further details). Temporary accomodation sites for around 1400 personnel were dispersed around the vicinity of the airfield. During the war the airfield was used by training units of the Royal Air Force, including 30 Operational Training Unit and 21 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit. There was also occaisional use by diverted American personnel and aircraft. At the end of the war repatriated prisoners of war were landed at Seighford. Military flying ceased in 1946. From 1956-1966 Bolton and Paul used part of the airfield for testing jet aircraft. This civilian company replaced the B1 Type hangar which had become derelict with another of the same design. By 2001 the airfield was used for agricultural and industrial purposes.
More information : Seighford Airfield: Staffordshire, SJ 865 255. Opened 1943, closed 1966. In December 1944 it was used by a Heavy Glider Conversion Unit. Use of the site in 1985 was for agriculture. (1) Construction of Seighford began in 1942 and althogh hampered by industrial action the airfield was opened in 1943. It was equipped with three concrete runways (one especially long) and perimeter track. The technical site and hangars were to the north end of the airfield, the Type B1 and T2 aircraft hangars were on the far side of the B5405 road. The original Type T2 was still extant in 1994. The airfield was provided with an unusual design of control tower which was intended to act as a strongpoint with loopholed walls, this was also extant in 1994, as were earthwork remains of the airfield's bomb stores. Temporary accomodation sites for around 1400 personnel were dispersed around the vicinity of the airfield. During the war the airfield was used by training units of the Royal Air Force, including 30 Operational Training Unit and 21 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit. There was also occaisional use by diverted American personnel and aircraft. At the end of the war repatriated prisoners of war were landed at Seighford. Military flying ceased in 1946. From 1956-1966 Bolton and Paul used part of the airfield for testing jet aircraft. This civilian company replaced the B1 Type hangar which had become derelict with another of the same design. (2) Seighford Airfield centered SJ 865 255 (NAT). The aifield extends from OS 1:10000 scale mapsheet SJ 82 NE southward onto sheet SJ 82 SE. (3-4) By 2001 the airfield was used for agricultural and industrial purposes. (5) The Defence of Britain database briefly records that RAF Seighford Airfield was situated at SJ 865 255, and that part of its wartime defences survive. (6)

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Vol(s) : 65, 1994

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Source details : 1:1000, 1968
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : 1:10000, 1970
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : Robert Truman. 2001. "Control Towers: Seighford"; http://www.controltowers.co.uk/S/Seighford.htm; accessed 10-MAY-2005.
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : The two databases developed by the Project can be searched on-line through the Archaeology Data Service at http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/specColl/dob/index.cfm
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Closed 1946
Monument End Date : 1946
Monument Start Date : 1946
Monument Type : Airfield, Military Airfield
Evidence : Structure

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Civilian use 1956-1966
Monument End Date : 1966
Monument Start Date : 1956
Monument Type : Airfield, Test House, Aircraft Hangar (Type B1)
Evidence : Structure, Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : Constructed 1942
Monument End Date : 1942
Monument Start Date : 1942
Monument Type : Airfield, Military Airfield
Evidence : Structure

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : World War II operational from 1943
Monument End Date : 1943
Monument Start Date : 1943
Monument Type : Airfield, Military Airfield, Aircraft Hangar (Type B1), Aircraft Hangar (Type T2), Control Tower, Loopholed Wall, Bomb Store
Evidence : Structure, Demolished Building, Extant Building, Earthwork

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Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Defence of Britain Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : S0004423
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External Cross Reference Source : DoB Anti Invasion Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : S0004423
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External Cross Reference Source : DoB Non Anti Invasion Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : 1994
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External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SJ 82 NE 18
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Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-04-01
End Date : 2002-03-01

Associated Activities :
Activity type : THEMATIC SURVEY
Start Date : 2012-01-01
End Date : 2012-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Seighford Airfield