Construction began in February 1939 of the airfield in the parish of Scottow. Named 'Coltishall' after the nearest village with a railway station the airbase was built in the then common 'Expansion Period' design of airfields.
Originally designed as a bomber station the close proximity to the coast saw Coltishall become what it was to stay as for its 66 year life, a fighter station. In fact this was to be the only Battle Of Britain station to do so.
Five 'C-Type' Hangars, one of which was destroyed in an enemy attack in 1943, with the technical site directly behind. Coltishall was built to the same standard design as per the other 75 Expansion Period sites across Britain between 1938-1942. The Control Tower stands in front of Hangar 3.
Nearby are the H shaped accommodation blocks, with later built barracks near the Sports Field, married personnel
would live in houses across from the main entrance whilst senior Officers including the Station Commander were opposite these. There were Mess buildings for Officers, Airmen and Sergeants as well as a Gymnasium, Swimming Pool ,Theatre, Chapel, Schools and Shop. A vast community was built into this north/east corner of Norfolk, the airfield being fully self reliant.
Throughout the years RAF Coltishall would be associated with many fighter aircraft. Hurricane, Spitfire, Beaufighter, Defiant and Mosquito.
In latter years it was to be the first airbase for the newly introduced English Electric Lightning with 74 squadron. The Air Sea Rescue Helicopter was based here until 2006 and it also housed the Battle Of Britian Memorial Flight for a time.
Then in 1974 what was to be the most synonymous aircraft to be associated with Coltishall, the Sepecat Jaguar arrived.
This aircraft in its many variants would be the last one which was based at Coltishall until it was closed in November 2006.
Originally designed as a bomber station the close proximity to the coast saw Coltishall become what it was to stay as for its 66 year life, a fighter station. In fact this was to be the only Battle Of Britain station to do so.
Five 'C-Type' Hangars, one of which was destroyed in an enemy attack in 1943, with the technical site directly behind. Coltishall was built to the same standard design as per the other 75 Expansion Period sites across Britain between 1938-1942. The Control Tower stands in front of Hangar 3.
Nearby are the H shaped accommodation blocks, with later built barracks near the Sports Field, married personnel
would live in houses across from the main entrance whilst senior Officers including the Station Commander were opposite these. There were Mess buildings for Officers, Airmen and Sergeants as well as a Gymnasium, Swimming Pool ,Theatre, Chapel, Schools and Shop. A vast community was built into this north/east corner of Norfolk, the airfield being fully self reliant.
Throughout the years RAF Coltishall would be associated with many fighter aircraft. Hurricane, Spitfire, Beaufighter, Defiant and Mosquito.
In latter years it was to be the first airbase for the newly introduced English Electric Lightning with 74 squadron. The Air Sea Rescue Helicopter was based here until 2006 and it also housed the Battle Of Britian Memorial Flight for a time.
Then in 1974 what was to be the most synonymous aircraft to be associated with Coltishall, the Sepecat Jaguar arrived.
This aircraft in its many variants would be the last one which was based at Coltishall until it was closed in November 2006.