RAF Glatton Transforms into Peterborough Business Airport

RAF Glatton, a former military airbase with a storied history from World War II, continues to serve the aviation community today as the Peterborough Business Airport. This transformation highlights the ongoing relevance of the site, which played a significant role in aerial combat and now caters to private aviation needs.

Historical Significance of RAF Glatton

Originally completed in late 1943, RAF Glatton was utilized by the 457th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces. The group, stationed at Wendover Army Airfield in Utah, was part of the 94th Combat Bombardment Wing. During its operational years, the base participated in critical missions, including the renowned Big Week, which focused on strategic bombing campaigns against German industrial targets such as ball-bearing plants and aircraft factories.

The 457th Bombardment Group’s contributions were pivotal, as they helped prepare the way for the Normandy invasion by bombing targets in Occupied France and attacking coastal defenses on D-Day. Over its operational period, the group conducted a total of 237 missions before completing its last combat operation in April 1945. Following the end of hostilities in Europe, the group was tasked with transporting prisoners of war from Austria to France.

Transition to Civil Aviation

After the war, RAF Glatton was handed over to the Royal Air Force’s No. 3 Group and fell under the command of RAF Bomber Command, which operated Avro Lancasters and Consolidated Liberators on missions to the Middle East. The airbase was officially closed in 1948 and subsequently sold. With the cessation of military operations, much of the airfield was returned to agricultural use, though sections of two runways have been preserved and are now integral to the operations of Peterborough Business Airport.

Today, this airport operates seven days a week, catering to private flights and providing essential services to the aviation community. An on-site café welcomes both members and non-members of the flying club, enhancing the airport’s appeal as a local hub for aviation enthusiasts.

In recognition of its historical significance, All Saints Church in Conington features a memorial in its churchyard dedicated to the men of the 457th Bombardment Group who lost their lives during missions from RAF Glatton. This tribute serves as a reminder of the base’s rich legacy and its enduring connection to the history of aerial combat.

The evolution of RAF Glatton into Peterborough Business Airport exemplifies how historical sites can adapt to modern needs while preserving their legacy, ensuring that the story of the past continues to be a part of the present.