Warmwell

Now in Dorset, this is RAF Warmwell near Dorchester. It opened on 1st May 1937 and was originally called RAF Woodsford but renamed Warmwell in July 1938. It was a fighter base with grass runways and its primary role was to defend the Naval base at nearby Portland.

Very little of the buildings survive but there are two Bellman hangars in the south east corner of the airfield. This Nissen type hut stands next to one of the Bellmans but its use is unknown and may have been built after the war.

Another view of the hut.

One of the two Bellman hangars with its doors firmly shut. Ross walks in front of a later building obviously built after the war as its location would have blocked any aircraft access to the hangar doors.

Looking out onto part of the former airfield. Most of it has been quarried for sand and gravel and this may have been worked out with top soil replaced for farming use.

The three buildings but only the hangar is definitely from the war. When it was opened to No.6 Armament Training Camp Tutor and Wallace target tugs flew from here over the Chesil Bank gunnery range.

A Bellman hangar and a Nissen type building. On the north side of the airfield part of the perimeter track is now used as a public road and the former watch office and control tower has been converted into a house.

The second Bellman Hangar. Between May 1940 and May 1945 RAF Warmwell was taken over by No.10 Group Fighter Command. There were several Luftwaffe raids during the Battle of Britain and through to spring 1941. 152 and 609 Squadrons were the principle squadrons flying Spitfires from the airfield during the Battle of Britain but many other squadrons visited the airfield over its operational life, flying a variety of planes including Hurricanes, Whirlwinds, Walruses and Typhoons. (The Spitfire suspended from the ceiling of the Science Museum in London was stationed at RAF Warmwell). At least 33 RAF Sqns operated from here (including 19 ,41, 118, 130, 152, 164, 174, 175, 181, 182, 184, 234, 245, 247, 257, 263, 266, 302, 312, 350, 401, 402, 403, 411, 438, 439, 440, 443, 609 and 610 Sqns). Aircraft included Hurricanes, Spitfires, Typhoons and Whirlwinds. No.275 and 276 Sqns air-sea rescue also operated from here with Walrus amphibian aircraft.

The perimeter track heads away in the centre of the photo and curves away to the left in front of the mobile homes. In March 1944 the 474th Fighter Group arrived at RAF Warmwell from America. RAF Warmwell became designated by the Americans as Station 454 USAAF Moreton and P38 Lightnings were deployed there as part of Dorset's sole fighter base until 5th August 1944.

Both buildings no longer appear to be in use, what if anything is inside them is unknown.

One of the two remaining Bellman hangars has had additional parts added to it.

Caught in the light of the evening sun.

Looking out onto part of the grass airfield framed by the two hangars.