RAF Hibaldstow opened on 12th May 1941 when 255 Squadron took up residence with their Boulton Paul Defiant night fighters.These aeroplanes had been drawn from nearby RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey and made one "kill" which was a German Heinkel 111 shot down near Louth on 5th June 1941. The airfield was built with greater things in mind but was left to remain satellite airfield for RAF Kirton in Lindsey. In June 1941 the Defiants were replaced by Bristol Beaufighters. This WW2 airplane was developed initially as a private venture using components from the Bristol Beaufort.
Legend has it that the name was a derivative of the "Beaufort fighter" hence the Beaufighter. Fitted with tow Bristol Hercules engines the Beaufighter had an operational speed of over 300 mph and was fat enought to engage enemy aircraft at night. For armament the fighter aircraft was equipped with 4 mm Hispano cannons and 6 machine guns but most important had the Mark IV AI radar. The Beaufighter was recognised as the world's first really successful radar-equipped night fighter.
29 Squadron flying from Lincolnshire's RAF Wellingore was one of the first squadrons to receive the Beaufighter. 236 Squadron based at RAF North Coates also flew them.
Mosquitoes had a long-range night-fighter role. Once the aircraft had taken to the air near the end of November 1940, it soon became quite clear that new aeroplane would make an excellent night fighter. The Mosquto had a varied career as a night fighter. As well as a defensive night fighter duties the aircraft was soon used on "intruder" missions attacking German airfields at night. 410 Squadron arrived at RAF Digby with its De Havilland Mosquito aircraft while nearby RAF Coleby Grange held a squadron of Mossies which flew night time patrols.
It was German night fighters that transformed aerial combat. The success of the Luftwaffe night fighters was such that the Allies had to reform their tactics to reduce their effectiveness. They had a success rate of 5% by July 1943. The Messerschmitt Bf 110G could easily get among a formation of RAF bombers at night. The Junkers Ju 88G6 was also a widely used as a night fighter while the use of the Dornier Do 217J was more heavily armed.
Retired Squadron Leaders Mike Pugh-Davies is the first guest speaker for the 2017 season of aviation lectures that are being held in the WW2 gymnasium at the Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre. He will be looking at the operations of night fighters in Lincolnshire during the Second World War, the night time defense of the Midlands and the North, to include operations against V1 German rockets plus the early development of the AEW aircraft. The illustrated talk is called NIGHT FIGHTERS OVER LINCOLNSHIRE.
It will be held on Wednesday, 22nd March 2017 beginning at 7.30pm
Mike joined the Royal Air Force in 1976 after gaining a degree in Aeronautical Engineering at Loughborough University. He trained as a navigator and flew in Canberra, Phantom and Tornado aircraft and later became a NATO evaluator; not to mention flying in a number of other front-line aircraft. He has served on operations in the Falkland Islands, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Qatar. He has filled a variety of staff appointments in both the RAF and NATO with his last job being an instructor in the Air Warfare Centre at RAF Cranwell. Mike retired from the RAF as a squadron leader after 36 years of service. He gained a masters degree in Air Power Studies from the University of Birmingham in 2012 and has lectured on a range of aviation history subjects throughout the United Kingdom.
Admission is £5.00 to visitors to include refreshments but is free to members of Friends of Metheringham Airfield and veterans of 106 Squadron.
For further details contact 07486 947095
John Shipton
Press Officer
Friends of Metheringham Airfield
Lincoln
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Night fighters over Lincolnshire...
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