Editing RAF Coltishall

{{Short description|Former RAF station in Norfolk, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name        = RAF Coltishall
|ensign      = Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg
|ensign_size = 90px
|native_name = 
|location    = [[Coltishall]], [[Norfolk]]
|country     = England
|image       = RAF Coltishall Station and Squadron Crests on Hangar.jpg
|image_size  = 300
|alt         = 
|caption     = Image of the various badges painted on the central aircraft [[hangar]].  These depict the final full capacity status of RAF Coltishall.<br>From left to right: [[No. 6 Squadron RAF|No.6 Sqn]], RAF Coltishall station badge, [[No. 16 Squadron RAF|No.16 Sqn]] – [[No. 41 Squadron RAF|No.41 Sqn]], [[No. 1 Group RAF|No.1 Group Headquarters RAF]], [[No. 54 Squadron RAF|No.54 Sqn]].
|image2      = RAF Coltishall badge.gif
|image2_size = 160px
|alt2        = 
|caption2    = ''Aggressive in Defence''
|pushpin_map = Norfolk#UK
|pushpin_mapsize= 300
|pushpin_label= RAF Coltishall
|pushpin_map_caption= Location within Norfolk
|pushpin_label_position= left
|coordinates = {{Coord|52|45|17|N|001|21|26|E|region:GB-NFK_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
|gridref     = TG270225{{Sfn|Birtles|2012|p=30}}
|type        = [[List of former Royal Air Force stations|Royal Air Force station]]
|code        = CS{{Sfn|Falconer|2012|p=68}}
|site_area   = 
|height      = 
|ownership   = [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]
|operator    = [[Royal Air Force]]
|controlledby= [[RAF Fighter Command]] 1940-<br>* [[No. 12 Group RAF]]<BR>[[RAF Strike Command]]
|open_to_public= 
|condition   = closed
|built       = February {{Start date|1939}}–1940
|builder     = 
|used        = 29 May 1940 – 30 November {{End date|2006}}
|materials   = 
|fate        = Site sold for civilian uses including [[HM Prison Bure]], a [[Photovoltaic power station|solar farm]] and Scottow Enterprise Park
|battles     = [[European theatre of World War II]]<br>[[Cold War]]
|events      = 
|past_commanders= <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
|garrison    = 
|occupants   = 
|elevation   = {{Convert|17|m|0}}{{Sfn|Falconer|2012|p=68}}
|IATA        = CLF
|ICAO        = EGYC
|GPS         = 
|WMO         = 03495
|r1-number   = 04/22
|r1-length   = {{Convert|2286|m|0}}
|r1-surface  = grooved [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]]
|website     = 
|footnotes   = Data relevant to operational period
{{Infobox designation list
|embed = yes
|designation1 = England Conservation Area
|designation1_offname = RAF Coltishall
|designation1_date = September 2010
|designation2 = Scheduled Monument
|designation2_offname = World War II fighter pen, Cold War blast walls and associated remains
|designation2_date = 7 March 2008
|designation2_number = [https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1021425 1021425]
|designation3 = Grade II Listed Building
|designation3_offname = Officer's Mess, Former RAF Coltishall, Norfolk
|designation3_date = 16 October 2017
|designation3_number = [https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1424475 1424475]
}}
}}
'''Royal Air Force Coltishall''' more commonly known as '''RAF Coltishall''' {{airport codes|CLF|EGYC}} is a former [[Royal Air Force]] [[List of former Royal Air Force stations|station]] located {{Convert|10|mi|abbr=off}} north-north-east of [[Norwich]], in the [[England|English]] [[Counties of the United Kingdom|county]] of [[Norfolk]], [[East Anglia]], which operated from 1939 to 2006.<ref>Official Commemorative Magazine: ''Royal Air Force Coltishall, 65th Anniversary, 'Aggressive in Defence' 1940-2005''</ref>

It was a fighter airfield in the [[World War II|Second World War]] and afterwards, a station for night fighters, then ground attack aircraft until closure.

After longstanding speculation, the future of the station was sealed once the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] announced that the [[Eurofighter Typhoon]], a rolling replacement aircraft, displacing the ageing [[SEPECAT Jaguar]], would not be located there.  The last of the Jaguar squadrons left on 1 April 2006, and the station finally closed, one month early and £10 million under budget, on {{End date and age|2006|11|30|df=y}}.

The station [[motto]] was ''Aggressive in Defence''.<ref name="A dictionary of mottoes">{{Cite book|last=Pine|first=L.G.|date=1983|title=A dictionary of mottoes|location=[[London]], England|publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul|isbn=0-7100-9339-X|page=[https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmott00tion/page/7 7]|edition=1|url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmott00tion/page/7}}</ref>  The [[Heraldic badges of the Royal Air Force|station badge]] was a stone tower surmounted by a mailed fist grasping three bind-bolts (blunt arrows), which symbolised a position of strength in defence of the homeland, indicative of the aggressive spirit which Coltishall fighter aircraft were prepared to shoot down the enemy.

==History==
===Second World War===
Work on '''RAF Coltishall''' was started in {{Start date and age|1939|02|df=y}}.  The airfield, then known as [[Scottow]] Aerodrome, was initially built as a [[bomber]] station, on land near Scottow Hall.  Following the established tradition, the station would have been named after the nearest [[railway station]], which would have made it RAF Buxton, but to avoid possible confusion with the town of [[Buxton, Derbyshire|Buxton]] in [[Derbyshire]], it was named after the local [[village]] of [[Coltishall]] instead.  The airfield was completed and entered service in {{Start date and age|1940|05|df=y}} as a fighter base.  The first [[Military aircraft|aircraft]] movement at Coltishall was a [[Bristol Blenheim]] IV L7835 flown by [[Sergeant]] RG Bales and Sergeant Barnes.

During the [[World War II|Second World War]], Coltishall operated the [[Hawker Hurricane]].  A notable Coltishall fighter pilot was [[Douglas Bader]], appointed as leader of [[No. 242 Squadron RAF|No. 242 Squadron]], a mainly Canadian Hurricane squadron.  They had suffered significant losses in the recent [[Battle of France]], and he was credited with restoring their morale.<ref>{{Cite AV media|title=see "Douglas Bader 1910-1982" at 18:45|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGxO31bw_SM&t=8s|via=YouTube}}</ref>

Coltishall later became home to [[night fighter]]s.  At the same time, the [[Royal Navy]] [[Fleet Air Arm]] operated aircraft from RAF Coltishall over the [[North Sea]].  From 10 February to 7 April 1945, it was the airfield for [[No. 124 Squadron RAF|No. 124 Squadron]], at that time a fighter-bomber squadron flying [[Supermarine Spitfire]] IX.HF's, whilst the squadron was bombing [[V-2]] launch sites in the Netherlands.  At the end of the war, Coltishall was briefly given over to [[Poland|Polish]] squadrons until they returned home.

===Cold War===
[[File:English Electric Lightning F1, UK - Air Force AN1858888.jpg|thumb|left|[[English Electric Lightning]] F.1 XM144 of [[No. 74 Squadron RAF|No. 74 (Fighter) Squadron]], the Lightning entered service with the squadron at Coltishall in June 1960.|alt=]] 
In the 1950s, RAF Coltishall was a designated a 'V-bomber dispersal airfield', which [[V bomber]]s tasked with delivery of the British nuclear deterrent; the [[Avro Vulcan]], [[Handley Page Victor]], and [[Vickers Valiant]], could use in the event of their home station being damaged by enemy action.

[[Postwar]], the station was home to a variety of units and aircraft, including [[de Havilland Mosquito]]s, [[Gloster Javelin]]s and, from 1963, the Historic Aircraft Flight (now known as the [[Battle of Britain Memorial Flight]] or BBMF).  RAF Coltishall became home to the RAF's first [[English Electric Lightning]] F.1s when [[No. 74 Squadron RAF|No. 74 (Fighter) Squadron]] began to receive the jet in June 1960, after arriving the year before.  No. 74 (F) Squadron relocated to [[RAF Leuchars]] in [[Scotland]] on 2 March 1964.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn071-75.htm#74|title=No 74 Squadron|website=Air of Authority – a history of RAF organisation|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>  [[No. 226 Operational Conversion Unit RAF|No. 226 Operational Conversion Unit]] (OCU) arrived at the base on 12 April 1964, tasked with training new pilots how to fly the Lightning.  The last Lightnings left Coltishall in September 1974 when [[No. 226 Operational Conversion Unit RAF|No. 266 OCU]] departed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/OCUs1.htm#226|title=226 Operational Conversion Unit|website=Air of Authority – a history of RAF organisation|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>

The Lightnings were replaced by the [[Anglo-French relations|Anglo-French]] [[SEPECAT Jaguar]] GR.1, with the first Jaguar unit, [[No. 54 Squadron RAF|No. 54 (F) Squadron]], arriving at Coltishall on 8 August 1974.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn051-55.htm#54|title=No 54 Squadron |website=Air of Authority – a history of RAF organisation|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>  They were soon joined by [[No. 6 Squadron RAF|No. 6 Squadron]] who arrived at the base in November 1974, making the station exclusively home to the Jaguar in terms of fixed wing aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn006-10.htm#6|title=No 6 Squadron|website=Air of Authority – a history of RAF organisation|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Sepecat Jaguar GR1A, UK - Air Force AN1712863.jpg|thumb|Trio of [[No. 6 Squadron RAF|No. 6 Squadron]] [[SEPECAT Jaguar|SEPECAT Jaguar GR.1A]]s at Coltishall in [[Operation Granby|Op GRANBY]] livery, April 1991.|alt=]]
[[No. 41 Squadron RAF|No. 41 (Designate) Squadron]] formed at RAF Coltishall on 1 October 1976, and worked up as a Jaguar unit until officially standing up on 1 April 1977, when the No. 41 Squadron operating the [[McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service|McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2]] at [[RAF Coningsby]] disbanded the previous day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalcoldwarexhibition.org/research/squadrons/41|title=No.41 Squadron|publisher=[[Royal Air Force Museum]]|website=nationalcoldwarexhibition.org|access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref>

In 1991, elements of all three based Jaguar units; Nos. 6, 41 and 54 Squadrons, along with associated support personnel deployed to [[Muharraq Airfield]], [[Bahrain]], in preparation for [[Operation Granby]] due to [[Saddam Hussein]]'s [[invasion of Kuwait]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/history/BritishForcesinvolvedinOperationGranby.cfm|title=British Forces involved in Operation Granby|publisher=[[Royal Air Force]]|website=RAF.MoD.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052653/https://www.raf.mod.uk/history/BritishForcesinvolvedinOperationGranby.cfm|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>

Coltishall played host to several [[United States Air Force]] Coronet deployments during the Cold War:
*Coronet Heron – 12 to 23 June 1978 saw the deployment of 12 [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II]]s from the [[62nd Expeditionary Attack Squadron|62nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/html/deploy78.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040818184927/http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/html/deploy78.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 August 2004|title=Deployments – 1978|publisher=Sharpshooter – Military Aviation Journal|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>
*Coronet Joust – 23 June to 7 July 1983 saw the deployment of 12 RF-4C Phantom IIs from the [[106th Air Refueling Squadron|106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron]] ([[Alabama Air National Guard]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/html/deploy83.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040818184514/http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/html/deploy83.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 August 2004|title=Deployments – 1983|publisher=Sharpshooter – Military Aviation Journal|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>
*Coronet Mobile – 13 to 26 September 1986 saw the deployment of 11 RF-4C Phantom IIs from the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Alabama Air National Guard).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/html/deploy86.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040818184717/http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/html/deploy86.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 August 2004|title=Deployments – 1986|publisher=Sharpshooter – Military Aviation Journal|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>

===1991 to closure===
The Jaguars deployed again, this time to [[Incirlik Air Base]], [[Turkey]], to participate in [[Operation Northern Watch|Operation Warden]] which set up a [[no-fly zone]] over [[Iraq]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/wattisham/424-41sq/41sq.htm|title=41 Squadron: Seek and Destroy|website=Air-Scene UK|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405094151/http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/wattisham/424-41sq/41sq.htm|archive-date=5 April 2016|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>  Between 1993 and 1995, the Jaguars deployed to [[Gioia del Colle Air Base]], [[Italy]], as part of [[Operation Deny Flight]] to enforce a no-fly zone over the [[Balkans]].  In 1997, No. 54 Squadron deployed to Italy once more in support of [[Operation Deliberate Guard]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalcoldwarexhibition.org/research/squadrons/54|title=No.54 Squadron|publisher=[[Royal Air Force Museum]]|website=NationalColdWarExhibition.org|access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref>  No. 6 Squadron deployed once again to Incirlik in 1998 as part of [[Operation Resinate]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sixsqnassociation.org.uk/about/1991-2003/|title=6 Squadron - 1991–2003|website=6 Squadron RAF Association|date=13 January 2017|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Sepecat Jaguar GR3A, UK - Air Force AN0649923.jpg|thumb|left|SEPECAT Jaguar GR.3A XZ392 of [[No. 16 Squadron RAF|No. 16 (Reserve) Squadron]] landing at RAF Coltishall, August 2004.|alt=]]
On 21 July 2000, [[No. 16 Squadron RAF|No. 16 (Reserve) Squadron]], the Jaguar [[Operational conversion unit|OCU]], arrived at RAF Coltishall from [[RAF Lossiemouth]], Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn016-20.htm#16|title=No 16 Squadron|website=Air of Authority – a history of RAF organisation|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>  In December 2000, five Jaguars from No. 41 (F) Squadron deployed to [[Luleå Airport]], [[Sweden]], to train alongside [[Saab 37 Viggen]]s of the [[Norrbotten Wing]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcoltishall/news/2000/december/sweden/sweden.htm|title=Jaguars make history with deployment to Sweden|publisher=RAF Coltishall|website=RAF.MoD.uk|archive-url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20030929125318/http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcoltishall/news/2000/december/sweden/sweden.htm|archive-date=29 September 2003|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>

Coltishall was also home to the yellow [[search and rescue]] (SAR) helicopters of [[No. 202 Squadron RAF|No. 202 Squadron]] tasked with conducting [[air-sea rescue]] operations ([[Westland Sea King]]), and latterly [[No. 22 Squadron RAF|No. 22 Squadron]] ([[Westland Wessex]]), but under subsequent reorganisation, the SAR operations were moved to [[RAF Wattisham]], in [[Suffolk]] where they remained until 15 July 2015, following the privatisation (and thus disbandment) of the entire UK military search and rescue operations.

Coltishall eventually became the last surviving operational RAF fighter airfield involved in the [[Battle of Britain]] (other than [[RAF Northolt]]), and a visible remnant in the form of a Second World War [[Revetment (aircraft)|revetment]] still stands adjacent to the north-west [[taxiway]] and, together with one of the two sets of 1950s Cold War blast walls, is now a [[scheduled monument]].<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1021425|desc=World War II fighter pen, Cold War blast walls and associated remains at the airfield formerly known as RAF Coltishall|access-date=10 December 2012}}</ref>

With the anticipated arrival of the [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] in the RAF, the gradual retirement of the Jaguar force began.  Coltishall was not chosen as a future Typhoon airfield for a number of reasons, and so, with no future RAF role for Coltishall, the station was earmarked for closure.

[[File:Sepecat Jaguar GR1A, UK - Air Force AN1801536.jpg|thumb|SEPECAT Jaguar GR.1A XZ112 of [[No. 54 Squadron RAF|No. 54 (Fighter) Squadron]] at [[RAF Brize Norton]] in 1991.  This Jaguar was the last to leave RAF Coltishall on 3 April 2006.|alt=]]
The UK's [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]], in the '[[Delivering Security in a Changing World]]' review, announced that the station would close by December 2006.  The first two Jaguar squadrons to disband, No. 16 (R) Squadron and No. 54 (F) Squadron, did so on 11 March 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.targeta.co.uk/jaguar.htm|title=Jaguar retirement|website=Target Aviation Photography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213084507/http://www.targeta.co.uk/jaguar.htm|archive-date=13 February 2012|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref>  The final Jaguar squadrons departed on 1 April 2006, when No. 6 Squadron transferred to RAF Coningsby, however, this was subsequently disbanded on 31 May 2007 (to await delivery of the [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] at RAF Leuchars), and No. 41 (F) Squadron transferred to RAF Coningsby in OCU role.  The final front line RAF movement from the station was by Jaguar XZ112, piloted by Jim Luke, on 3 April 2006.

Of the final [[gate guardian]]s, the replica Hawker Hurricane (dedicated to Douglas Bader) was transferred to [[RAF High Wycombe]], and the Jaguar was formally named the ''Spirit of Coltishall'', and was subsequently transferred to the grounds of [[Norfolk County Council]] where she is dedicated to the memory of all those who served at Coltishall.  RAF Coltishall is commemorated at the [[RAF Air Defence Radar Museum]] at Neatishead (which Coltishall formerly parented).

Some limited flying from light aircraft, including those of the Coltishall Flying Club, did continue after the end of RAF flying operations, until October 2006.  While 1 April 2006 saw the disbandment [[parade]] for the station, it did not actually disband and finally close until 30 November 2006.  Associated facilities such as the Douglas Bader [[Primary School]] for military dependents were also closed.  On the final day of the station, the gates were opened to the public; anybody with photographic ID was welcomed onto the station to have a look around and view the final closing ceremony and parade, which saw a [[flypast]] by four RAF Jaguars, and a solitary [[Hawker Hurricane]] from the [[Imperial War Museum Duxford]].

On 30 November 2006, RAF Coltishall was officially handed over to [[Defence Estates]] (the then MoD agency responsible for all UK Military sites) who were to handle the disposal of the site; it was then formally known as MoD Coltishall until its [[#Redevelopment|ultimate disposal]].

The site was sold to [[Norfolk County Council]] for £4&nbsp;million.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

==Station commanders==
[[File:Robert Stanford Tuck.jpg|thumb|[[Robert Stanford Tuck|Robert 'Bob' Stanford Tuck]] c.1941, later to become Commanding Officer of RAF Coltishall]]
:Note: The ranks shown are the ranks held at the time of holding the appointment of ''[[commanding officer]], Royal Air Force Coltishall''.
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+RAF Coltishall station commanders
|-align=center valign=middle
!date from!!date to!!rank!!name
|-
|15 May 1940||9 January 1941||[[Wing commander|Wing Commander]]||W K Beisiegal
|-
|9 January 1941||11 September 1942||[[Group captain|Group Captain]]||[[Ronald Lees]]
|-
|11 September 1942||20 April 1943||Group Captain||[[George D Harvey]]
|-
|20 April 1943||10 December 1943||Group Captain||[[Arthur Vere Harvey, Baron Harvey of Prestbury|Arthur V Harvey]]
|-
|10 December 1943||25 May 1945||Group Captain||A H Donaldson
|-
|25 May 1945||9 August 1945||Group Captain||A H Dunn
|-
|9 August 1945||27 February 1946||Group Captain||T H Rolski
|-
|27 February 1946||13 February 1947||Group Captain||[[Aleksander Gabszewicz]]
|-
|13 February 1947||22 January 1948||Wing Commander||[[Robert Stanford Tuck]]
|-
|22 January 1948||6 March 1950||Wing Commander||[[Denis Spotswood]]
|-
|6 March 1950||1 February 1951||Wing Commander||E L Colbeck-Welch
|-
|1 February 1951||8 May 1953||Group Captain||A H Smythe
|-
|8 May 1953||12 December 1955||Group Captain||P P Hanks
|-
|12 December 1955||25 November 1958||Group Captain||John Clayton Sisson CBE DFC
|-
|25 November 1958||1 June 1959||Wing Commander||[[W Laing]]
|-
|1 June 1959||15 November 1961||Group Captain||[[Harold Bird-Wilson|Harold A C Bird-Wilson]]
|-
|15 November 1961||1 November 1963||Group Captain||L H Malins
|-
|1 December 1963||3 June 1966||Group Captain||R L Topp
|-
|4 June 1966||3 January 1969||Group Captain||M E Hobson
|-
|3 January 1969||20 November 1969||Group Captain||W J Stacey
|-
|20 November 1969||18 November 1971||Group Captain||J T Jennings
|-
|18 November 1971||28 December 1973||Group Captain||[[J A Gilbert]]
|-
|28 December 1973||6 August 1976||Group Captain||[[L Swart]]
|-
|6 August 1976||6 September 1978||Group Captain||[[J H Honey]]
|-
|6 September 1978||15 October 1980||Group Captain||[[T H Stonor]]
|-
|15 October 1980||3 December 1982||Group Captain||[[T J Nash]]
|-
|3 December 1982||8 February 1985||Group Captain||[[G R Profit]]
|-
|8 February 1985||4 June 1987||Group Captain||[[M R French]]
|-
|4 June 1987||2 August 1989||Group Captain||[[F J Hoare]]
|-
|3 August 1989||16 August 1991||Group Captain||[[M J Abbott]]
|-
|16 August 1991||5 July 1993||Group Captain||[[J P Dacre]]
|-
|5 July 1993||28 July 1995||Group Captain||[[N C Rusling]]
|-
|28 July 1999||5 September 1997||Group Captain||[[T C Hewlett]]
|-
|5 September 1997||5 September 1999||Group Captain||[[Stephen Dalton|Stephen G G Dalton]]
|-
|6 September 1999||5 October 2001||Group Captain||[[Chris Harper (RAF officer)|Chris N Harper]]
|-
|6 October 2001||28 November 2003||Group Captain||[[R D Cobelli]]
|-
|28 November 2003|| 2006||Group Captain||[[Graham A Wright]], OBE
|-
| 2006||13 October 2006||Wing Commander||[[Paul Robins (RAF Officer)|Paul Robins]]<ref name=Norwich.gov.uk>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.norwich.gov.uk/intranet_docs/A-Z/News_Archive/2006/061012_A_Final_Farewell_to_RAF_Coltishall_no_338.doc|title=A final farewell to RAF Coltishall|website=Norwich.gov.uk|publisher=[[Norwich City Council]]|date=2006|access-date=12 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716105833/http://www.norwich.gov.uk/intranet_docs/A-Z/News_Archive/2006/061012_A_Final_Farewell_to_RAF_Coltishall_no_338.doc|archive-date=16 July 2011}}</ref>
|-
|13 October 2006||30 November 2006||[[Squadron leader|Squadron Leader]]||[[Jason Hughes (RAF Officer)|Jason Hughes]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2006/412colt/colt.htm|title=Spirit of Coltishall|website=AirSceneUK.org.uk|date=2006|access-date=30 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121094533/http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2006/412colt/colt.htm|archive-date=21 November 2008}}</ref>
|}

==Coltishall squadrons==
[[File:Sepecat Jaguar GR1A, UK - Air Force AN1734457.jpg|thumb|A [[SEPECAT Jaguar|SEPECAT Jaguar GR1A]] of [[No. 41 Squadron RAF|No. 41 Squadron]] in its original green-grey camouflage livery at RAF Coltishall|alt=]]
[[File:Jaguar.sideon.arp.jpg|thumb|Jaguar GR3A of 41 Squadron in the subsequent low-visibility grey scheme, in 2005 at Kemble Airfield, Gloucestershire|alt=]]
[[File:Royal Air Force (RAF) SEPECAT Jaguar T4 XX838 'FZ' of 41 Squadron from RAF Coltishall at a hardened aircraft shelter (HAS) dispersal somewhere in RAF Germany (RAFG) in 2005.jpg|thumb|A 41 Sqn Jaguar T4A 2-seat trainer on detachment to [[RAF Germany]]|alt=]]
[[File:56 Sqn score.jpg|thumb|56 Sqn 'scoreboard'|alt=]]
*[[No. 1 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT">{{Cite web|url=http://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/coltishall/|title=Coltishall|publisher=[[Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust]]|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> Spitfire LFIXb, F21
*[[No. 6 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Jaguar GR1/1A/1B, T2/T2A, GR3/3A, T4/T4A (November 1974 – April 2006)
*[[No. 16 Squadron RAF]]<ref name="ABCT"/> (? – March 2005) (Squadron Standard now laid up in Notre-Dame Cathedral [[Saint-Omer]], [[France]])
*[[No. 22 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Beaufort I, II, Whirlwind HAR2, HAR10, Wessex HAR2
*[[No. 23 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Mosquito NF36, Vampire NF10, Venom NF2, NF3, Javelin FAW4, FAW7, FAW9R
*[[No. 25 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Mosquito VI, XVII, NFXXX
*[[No. 26 Squadron RAF]]<ref name="ABCT"/>
*[[No. 29 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Beaufighter IF, VIF
*[[No. 41 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Javelin FAW4, Jaguar GR1/1A/1B, T2/T2A, GR3/3A, T4/T4A (1976 – April 2006)
*[[No. 42 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Beaufort I, II
*[[No. 54 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Jaguar GR1/1A/1B, T2/T2A, GR3/3A, T4/T4A (August 1974 – March 2005) (Squadron Standard now laid up in [[Norwich Cathedral]])
*[[No. 64 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire I, Vb, LEVc
*[[No. 66 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire I
*[[No. 68 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Beaufighter IF, VI, Mosquito XVII, XIX, XXX
*[[No. 72 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire I
*[[No. 74 Squadron RAF]]<ref name="ABCT"/> 'Tigers'; Spitfire IIa, Hunter F6, Lightning F1, F3 (1940, 1960–1966)
*[[No. 80 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Tempest V
*[[No. 93 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Havoc I
*[[No. 109 Squadron RAF]]<ref name="ABCT"/>
*[[No. 118 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire Vb
*[[No. 124 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire XI
*[[No. 125 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Mosquito XIV, XXX
*[[No. 133 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> one of the American-piloted [[Eagle Squadron]]s formed 1941, Hurricane IIb
*[[No. 137 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Whirlwind I
*[[No. 141 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Mosquito NF36, Meteor NF11, Venom NF3, Javelin FAW4
*[[No. 151 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Hurricane I, IIb, IIc, Defiant I
*[[No. 152 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire IIa
*[[No. 154 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire Va, Vb
*[[No. 195 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Typhoon Ib
*[[No. 202 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Whirlwind HAR10, Sea King HAR3
*[[No. 222 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire Ia, IIa, IIb
*[[No. 226 Squadron RAF]] OCU;<ref name="ABCT"/> Lightning F1, F1A, F3, T4, T5, T55
*[[No. 228 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Whirlwind HAR10
*[[No. 228 Squadron RAF]] OCU;<ref name="ABCT"/> Mosquito (various), Meteor (various)
*[[No. 229 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire XI, XVI
*[[No. 234 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire Vb, Vc
*[[No. 242 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Hurricane I
*[[No. 255 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Beaufighter IIF
*[[No. 257 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Hurricane I, IIa, IIb, IIc
*[[No. 264 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Mosquito NF36
*[[No. 266 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Typhoon Ia, Ib
*[[No. 274 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Tempest V
*[[No. 275 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Sycamore HR13, HR14
*[[No. 278 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Lysander IIa, Walrus I, II, Anson I
*[[No. 288 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Hurricane I, Defiant TT II/III
*[[No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire IX, Mustang IV (1944, 1945)
*[[No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Mustang III
*[[No. 307 Polish Night Fighter Squadron]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Mosquito XXX
*[[No. 309 Polish Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron|No. 309 (Polish) Squadron]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Mustang III, IV
*[[No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire XI
*[[No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron|No. 315 (Polish) Squadron]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Mustang III
*[[No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron|No. 316 (Polish) Squadron]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Mustang III
*[[No. 318 (Polish) Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire IX
*[[No. 409 Squadron RCAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Beaufighter VI
*[[No. 453 Squadron RAAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire IX
*[[No. 488 Squadron RNZAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Beaufighter II
*[[No. 602 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire IX, XVI
*[[No. 603 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire XVI (1945)
*[[No. 604 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Beaufighter I
*[[No. 610 Squadron RAF]]; Spitfire Vb, Vc{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}
*[[No. 611 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire IX
*[[No. 616 Squadron RAF]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Spitfire I
*[[809 Naval Air Squadron]], [[Fleet Air Arm]];<ref name="ABCT"/> Sea Hornet F20, NF21
*[[819 Naval Air Squadron]], Fleet Air Arm;<ref name="ABCT"/>
*[[841 Naval Air Squadron]], Fleet Air Arm;<ref name="ABCT"/> Albacore I, Swordfish I, II
*[[849 Naval Air Squadron]], Fleet Air Arm;<ref name="ABCT"/> Gannett AEW3, COD4, T5

===Units===
The following units were here at some point:
{{Columns-list|colwidth=40em|
*[[Battle of Britain Memorial Flight]] (June 1969 - March 1976){{Sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=81}}
*[[Air Fighting Development Squadron]] (September 1959 - October 1962){{Sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=55}}
*US [[346th Fighter Squadron]];<ref name="ABCT"/>
*US [[17th Night Fighter Squadron]]<ref name="ABCT"/>
*No. 11 Fighter Command Servicing Unit<ref name="ABCT"/>
*No. 12 Group Target Towing Flight (August - October 1941){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=188}}
*No. 13 Fighter Command Servicing Unit<ref name="ABCT"/>
*No. 1489 (Target Towing) Flight (December 1941 - May 1942) became No. 1489 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight (May 1942 - April 1943) {{Sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=136}}
*[[No. 2719 Squadron RAF Regiment]]<ref name="ABCT"/>
*[[No. 2725 Squadron RAF Regiment]]<ref name="ABCT"/>
*[[No. 2735 Squadron RAF Regiment]]<ref name="ABCT"/>
*[[No. 2812 Squadron RAF Regiment]]<ref name="ABCT"/>
*[[No. 2885 Squadron RAF Regiment]]<ref name="ABCT"/>
*No. 3206 Servicing Commando<ref name="ABCT"/>
*No. 3210 Servicing Commando<ref name="ABCT"/>
*Eastern Sector HQ (January 1947 - July 1958){{Sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=104}}
*Fighter Command Navigation Radio Conversion Flight<ref name="ABCT"/>
*Jaguar Training Flight<ref name="ABCT"/>
*[[Central Fighter Establishment|Lightning Conversion Squadron RAF]] (January 1960 - August 1961){{Sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=201}}
*Lightning Special Engineering Project Team (April 1972 - April 1974){{Sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=201}}
}}

==Redevelopment==
The former married quarters were transferred to the MoD's preferred property agents, [[Annington Homes]], who started a lengthy process of upgrading the former military housing into civilian houses for sale on the open market.

During January 2007, the [[Home Office]] expressed an interest in the site, and in early February earmarked it for potential use as an immigration detention facility, but this was subsequently ruled out.

In July 2007, a petition was set up on the [[10 Downing Street]] website to campaign for Coltishall to be reopened as a civil airfield.

In December 2007, fresh reports in the media suggested the site would be used as a [[prison]], but this angered local residents who had not been informed of the disposal progress.

In January 2009, plans to build a [[Prison security categories in the United Kingdom#Male adult prisoners|Category C]] prison at the site was approved by [[North Norfolk District Council]] (NNDC).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/7845354.stm|title=Prison at old RAF base approved|website=[[BBC News]]|date=}}</ref>  The entire technical site then became under the control of the [[Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Justice]] (MoJ), and building works to convert all of the former male single-persons living accommodation H-blocks and the Junior Ranks Mess and [[NAAFI]] social club, along with the completion of the dual perimeter fences, and a new access road began in 2009.  This new establishment became known as [[HM Prison Bure]], named after the nearby [[River Bure]], can house over 500 male sex offenders.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Norfolk ex-airbase jail to house sex offenders|url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=NewsSplash&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED10%20Aug%202009%2020%3A46%3A20%3A427|work=Archant Regional Ltd|publisher=EDP24.co.uk|date=11 August 2009|access-date=2 October 2009}}</ref>

On 19 July 2010, North Norfolk District Council proposed that the entire site should be designated as a [[conservation area (United Kingdom)]] because of its historical and architectural interest.<ref>[http://www.northnorfolk.org/planning/7083.asp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718224148/http://www.northnorfolk.org/planning/7083.asp|date=18 July 2011}}</ref>

In 2013, the remainder of the former RAF Coltishall technical site became known as the Scottow Enterprise Park, taking up approximately 600 acres of the former RAF base.  Its repurposed military buildings are now home to tenants in industries from construction to film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/raf-coltishall-scottow-enterprise-park-500-employees-simon-coward-hethel-innovation-1-5662345|title=Former RAF Coltishall site passes 500-worker milestone|website=EDP24.co.uk|date=22 August 2018}}</ref>

In April 2015, Scottow Moor Solar Limited built a {{Convert|32|MW|hp-electric|abbr=off|lk=on}} [[solar farm]] on the site.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-32353870|title=RAF Coltishall £50m solar farm begins power generation|website=[[BBC News]]|date=17 April 2015}}</ref>  In April 2016, another {{Convert|18|MW|hp-electric|abbr=off}} of solar panels were added, bringing the solar farm's total capacity to {{Convert|50|MW|hp-electric|abbr=off}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/what_the_huge_solar_farm_at_raf_coltishall_looks_like_from_the_air_1_4510767|title=What the huge solar farm at RAF Coltishall looks like from the air|website=EDP24.co.uk|date=25 April 2016}}</ref>

In June 2019, a [[Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom|British aircraft manufacturer]] became established at the airfield.  [[Swift Aircraft]] have been allowed to produce up to 98 aircraft a year, and use its [[runway]] for up to eight flights per day by the local government.  This will employ roughly 100 local people.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

The main guardroom has been turned into a Heritage Centre documenting the history of the site.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rafcoltishallheritagecentre.co.uk/about/ | title=About – RAF Coltishall Heritage Centre }}</ref>

==Heritage==
===Station badge and motto===
RAF Coltishall's [[Heraldic badges of the Royal Air Force|badge]], awarded in January 1953, features a [[fortified tower]] with a clenched [[Gauntlet (glove)|gauntlet]] holding three blue [[arrow]]s (bind bolts).  The tower relates to the strength in defence of the station.  The gauntlet and arrows represent the fighter aircraft based at the station and their aggressive nature.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RAF Coltishall|url=https://www.rafht.co.uk/index.php/2016/06/17/coltishall/|website=RAFHT.co.uk|publisher=RAF Heraldry Trust|access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref>

The station's [[motto]] is 'Aggressive in Defence'.<ref name="A dictionary of mottoes"/>

===Gate guardians===
[[File:RAF Coltishall - geograph.org.uk - 291466.jpg|thumb|[[SEPECAT Jaguar|SEPECAT Jaguar S]] on display outside the main gate to the station|alt=]]
[[File:Norwich County Hall Archive Centre - geograph.org.uk - 4166187.jpg|thumb|''Spirit of Coltishall'', the former RAF Coltishall [[SEPECAT Jaguar|SEPECAT Jaguar S]] gate guardian now on display in the grounds of County Hall, [[Norfolk County Council]]|alt=]]
Prior to closure, Coltishall had two [[gate guardian]]s.  The first (on display outside the main gate and security fence) was a [[SEPECAT Jaguar|Jaguar S]] which was an airframe formed from various Jaguars, including the front fuselage of XW563.  It arrived from [[RAF Bruggen|RAF Brüggen]] in 2001 and was on display at the main gate until February 2007 when it was relocated to [[Norfolk]] County Hall.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Norwich – County Hall, Norfolk|url=http://www.eurodemobbed.org.uk/locations.php?location=3613|access-date=23 April 2022|website=Demobbed – Out of Service British Military Aircraft}}</ref>

A replica [[Fiberglass|fibreglass]] Hawker Hurricane was on display on the roundabout in front of Station Headquarters from 1989, until it was relocated to [[RAF High Wycombe]] in October 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Changing of the guard at RAF Coltishall|url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/changing-of-the-guard-at-raf-coltishall-7584736|website=[[Eastern Daily Press]]|publisher=Archant Community Media|date=18 October 2006|access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref>

===Built heritage===
In September 2010, the former RAF Coltishall site was designated as a [[Conservation area (United Kingdom)|conservation area]] by [[North Norfolk|North Norfolk District Council]] and [[Broadland|Broadland District Council]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Conservation area approved at ex-RAF base Coltishall|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-11365374|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=19 September 2010|access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref>

Parts of the [[airfield]] were designated as [[scheduled monument]]s in March 2008.  The designation covers a single Second World War era aircraft dispersal point (labeled as a 'fighter pen') and eight pairs of Cold War era dispersal [[revetment]] blast walls dating from the 1950s.  [[Historic England]] describes the blast walls as rare and outstandingly well preserved.<ref>{{Cite web|title=World War II fighter pen, Cold War blast walls and associated remains at the airfield formerly known as RAF Coltishall, Scottow – 1021425|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1021425|website=[[Historic England]]|date=7 March 2008|access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref>

The former [[Mess|Officers' Mess]] was designated as a [[Listed building|grade II listed building]] in October 2017.  The [[Georgian architecture|neo-Georgian]] style building was built between 1939 and 1940.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Officers' Mess at the former RAF Coltishall, Buxton with Lammas – 1424475|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1424475|website=[[Historic England]]|access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref>

On July 18, 2024, Jaguar XZ384 left storage RAF Cosford arriving on July 19 at the former RAF Coltishall, where it has been placed as an exhibit next to the Java Bean Cafe and Coffee Roasters on site. 
<ref>https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/jaguar/survivor.php?id=1096</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Battle of Britain airfields]]
*[[List of former Royal Air Force stations]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Cite book|last=Birtles|first=P.|date=2012|title=UK Airfields of the Cold War|publisher= Midland Publishing|isbn=978-1-85780-346-4}}
*{{Cite book|last=Falconer|first=J.|date=2012|title=RAF Airfields of World War 2|location=UK|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|isbn=978-1-85780-349-5}}
*{{Cite book|last=Jennings|first=Mick [[Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|MBE]]|date=2007|title=Royal Air Force Coltishall, Fighter Station. A Station History|location=[[Cowbit]], [[Spalding, Lincolnshire|Spalding]], Lincolnshire, UK|publisher=Old Forge Publishing|isbn=978-1-906183-01-1}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Sturtivant|first1=R.|last2=Hamlin|first2=J.|last3=Halley|first3=J.|date=1997|title=Royal Air Force flying training and support units|publisher=Air-Britain (Historians)|location= UK|isbn=0-85130-252-1}}
*{{Cite book|last=Sullivan|first=Wing Commander John MBE, MSc, RAF|date=2008|title=Big Cat Diary: The Last Year of the Jaguar with 6 Squadron RAF|publisher=Published by the author|isbn=978-0-9557247-0-1}}.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20061009072356/http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcoltishall/|name=RAF Coltishall - official website (archived October 2006)}}
*[https://historicengland.org.uk/research/results/reports/5605/RAFColtishallNorfolk_APhotographicCharacterisation RAF Coltishall – A Photographic Characterisation by English Heritage]
*[https://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/media/1457/raf_coltishall_ca.pdf RAF Coltishall – Conservation Area Appraisal]
*[https://www.spiritofcoltishall.com/ The Spirit of Coltishall Association]

{{Royal Air Force}}
{{Norfolk}}
{{Portal bar|England|United Kingdom|Aviation}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coltishall}}
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1940]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations of World War II in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Airports in England]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2006]]