Ouston Airfield (or Albemarle Barracks, or RAF Ouston) (Stamfordham)
Ouston Airfield (disused). (1)
Royal Air Force base opened 1941. Precursor of Albemarle Barracks. (2)
The airfield was constructed, after late 1938 planning, slowly because of some local opposition. The airfield was built to a fairly regular pattern, having a mixture of pre-war style buildings and the utility types of war time. RAF Ouston also served as a Fighter Sector HQ during 1941 replacing RAF Usworth (near Sunderland) in that role. The airfield was built as a fighter airfield, but also served as a satellite airfield for training units, base for nightfighter, air sea rescue units and army co-operation units. From June 1943 the airfield served as a operational training unit (OTU) in World War II and in the following years with jet aircraft. The airfield briefly served as the regional airport for five months during groundworks at Newcastle Airport during 1967. The site is now occupied by the Army and is now known as Albemarle Barracks. (3)
Further details. (4)
The 'regular pattern' plan of the airfield is of the standard M Scheme (approved 7 November 1938) of the 'expansion period' of the Royal Air Force. Many of the buildings on the technical site remain, though aerial views show that the roofs have been modified to pitched design (for example as the H-shaped barrack blocks and sergeants mess for example). Additional buildings to various designs were constructed during the early 1950s in the provision of married airmen's quarters and married officer's quarters. One of the hanger buildings remains as one of the four originals and is located at the south-east corner of the site. (5)
Ouston is recorded as Northumberland's second operational fighter airbase. A number of aircraft types used this airfield, including Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft. The wartime airfield became a base for the Auxiliary Air Force after World War II, and in 1974 passed over to the Army to become Albemarle Barracks. (6)
Ouston was a Second World War temporary airfield. It had a hard surface and its main function was as a Fighter Training facility. Some 90 percent of the original runway and taxiway remains; 10 percent of dispersals remain; 80 percent of the technical site remains; 15 percent of ammunition stores remain; the control tower survives; one of the nine hangars survive; the Operations Block survives as well as defences (pillboxes). The overall status of the site is rated at 7 (out of 10) - the maximum obtainable. (7)
Ouston Airfield, Northumberland, NZ 082 700 The airfield opened in 1941. It was equipped with three tarmac runways, a Type J aircaft hangar and 8 Blister aircraft hangar variants. There was permanent accommodation for personnel: in December 1944 these numbered 1200 male (RAF) and 582 female (WAAF). At that time it was the base for an Operational Training Unit of 12 Group. (8a)
Ouston Airfield, NZ 080 700. The airfield opened initially as a Sector Headquarters for 13 Group of Royal Air Force Fighter Command. Later in 1943 it changed roles and was used for training. After the war the training role continued . In 1967 the airfield was used as a civil airport whilst Newcastle Airport was being modified. After this brief period of civilian use the Army took over the site as Albemarle Barracks. The site is a military area with a high level of security. (8b)
Ouston Airfield NZ 081 700 (NAT). The northern half of the airfield is located on OS sheet NZ 07 SE, the southern half of the airfield and the airfield buildings/ barracks are situated on OS Sheet NZ 06 NE. The airfield is in the Civil Parish of Stamfordham. (8c-d)
The Defence of Britain Database briefly records the airfield as RAF Ouston Airfield, NZ 080 700, Harlow Hill parish (sic), Northumberland; also recorded as a "Battle Headquarters". This Defence of Britain parish entry is incorrect, see comments on source (8c-d) above. (8e)
A 20th Century airfield is visible as a structure on air photographs centred at NZ 0817 6999. RAF Ouston can be seen, as described above. Two principal phases can be identified. On the 1958 photography a number of changes have been made including the construction of a large hard standing and the lengthening of one runway, presumably to accommodate jet aircraft. (8f-g)
General associaiton with HER 31067 (WW2 High Frequency Direction Finding station), HER XXXXX (Military Camp UID 1458254) and HER 10966 (Airfield Bombing Decoy Q95a). (8)
Royal Air Force base opened 1941. Precursor of Albemarle Barracks. (2)
The airfield was constructed, after late 1938 planning, slowly because of some local opposition. The airfield was built to a fairly regular pattern, having a mixture of pre-war style buildings and the utility types of war time. RAF Ouston also served as a Fighter Sector HQ during 1941 replacing RAF Usworth (near Sunderland) in that role. The airfield was built as a fighter airfield, but also served as a satellite airfield for training units, base for nightfighter, air sea rescue units and army co-operation units. From June 1943 the airfield served as a operational training unit (OTU) in World War II and in the following years with jet aircraft. The airfield briefly served as the regional airport for five months during groundworks at Newcastle Airport during 1967. The site is now occupied by the Army and is now known as Albemarle Barracks. (3)
Further details. (4)
The 'regular pattern' plan of the airfield is of the standard M Scheme (approved 7 November 1938) of the 'expansion period' of the Royal Air Force. Many of the buildings on the technical site remain, though aerial views show that the roofs have been modified to pitched design (for example as the H-shaped barrack blocks and sergeants mess for example). Additional buildings to various designs were constructed during the early 1950s in the provision of married airmen's quarters and married officer's quarters. One of the hanger buildings remains as one of the four originals and is located at the south-east corner of the site. (5)
Ouston is recorded as Northumberland's second operational fighter airbase. A number of aircraft types used this airfield, including Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft. The wartime airfield became a base for the Auxiliary Air Force after World War II, and in 1974 passed over to the Army to become Albemarle Barracks. (6)
Ouston was a Second World War temporary airfield. It had a hard surface and its main function was as a Fighter Training facility. Some 90 percent of the original runway and taxiway remains; 10 percent of dispersals remain; 80 percent of the technical site remains; 15 percent of ammunition stores remain; the control tower survives; one of the nine hangars survive; the Operations Block survives as well as defences (pillboxes). The overall status of the site is rated at 7 (out of 10) - the maximum obtainable. (7)
Ouston Airfield, Northumberland, NZ 082 700 The airfield opened in 1941. It was equipped with three tarmac runways, a Type J aircaft hangar and 8 Blister aircraft hangar variants. There was permanent accommodation for personnel: in December 1944 these numbered 1200 male (RAF) and 582 female (WAAF). At that time it was the base for an Operational Training Unit of 12 Group. (8a)
Ouston Airfield, NZ 080 700. The airfield opened initially as a Sector Headquarters for 13 Group of Royal Air Force Fighter Command. Later in 1943 it changed roles and was used for training. After the war the training role continued . In 1967 the airfield was used as a civil airport whilst Newcastle Airport was being modified. After this brief period of civilian use the Army took over the site as Albemarle Barracks. The site is a military area with a high level of security. (8b)
Ouston Airfield NZ 081 700 (NAT). The northern half of the airfield is located on OS sheet NZ 07 SE, the southern half of the airfield and the airfield buildings/ barracks are situated on OS Sheet NZ 06 NE. The airfield is in the Civil Parish of Stamfordham. (8c-d)
The Defence of Britain Database briefly records the airfield as RAF Ouston Airfield, NZ 080 700, Harlow Hill parish (sic), Northumberland; also recorded as a "Battle Headquarters". This Defence of Britain parish entry is incorrect, see comments on source (8c-d) above. (8e)
A 20th Century airfield is visible as a structure on air photographs centred at NZ 0817 6999. RAF Ouston can be seen, as described above. Two principal phases can be identified. On the 1958 photography a number of changes have been made including the construction of a large hard standing and the lengthening of one runway, presumably to accommodate jet aircraft. (8f-g)
General associaiton with HER 31067 (WW2 High Frequency Direction Finding station), HER XXXXX (Military Camp UID 1458254) and HER 10966 (Airfield Bombing Decoy Q95a). (8)
N10039
20th Century (1901 to 2000)
Mid 20th Century (1933 to 1966)
Second World War (1939 to 1945)
Mid 20th Century (1933 to 1966)
Second World War (1939 to 1945)
MEASURED SURVEY, The Defence of Britain Project 2002
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION, English Heritage: Hadrian's Wall WHS Mapping Project, NMP 2008; English Heritage
THEMATIC SURVEY, NHPP: World War II Temporary Airfields ; English Heritage
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION, English Heritage: Hadrian's Wall WHS Mapping Project, NMP 2008; English Heritage
THEMATIC SURVEY, NHPP: World War II Temporary Airfields ; English Heritage
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