The former RAF Coltishall
Now called Badersfield
Image Courtesy of Colin Collis
RAF Coltishall was opened in 1940 and was originally built as a bomber base. Coltishall was home to a variety of aircraft including Blenheims, Hurricanes and Spitfires and after the Second World War became the home of Polish squadrons until they returned home.
Images Coltishall Heritage Centre
In later years other aircraft were based at Coltishall including Mosquitos, Meteors, Javelins and Lightnings.
Images Coltishall Heritage Centre
In 1963 The Historic Aircraft Flight now known as The Battle of Britain Flight moved to Coltishall
Images Coltishall Heritage Centre
Coltishall was also the home of search and rescue (SAR) helicopters of 22 and 202 Squadrons
Image Coltishall Heritage Centre
The last Lightnings left Coltishall in 1974 and later in the year Coltishall became a Jaguar base,
Images courtesy of Colin Collis
When Coltishall had its full complement of Jaguars there were four Squadrons, No. 6, No. 16 R, No. 41 and No. 54.
Images courtesy of Colin Collis
When it was announced that Coltishall was to close this was going to bring an end to this historic station, which was the RAF’s last Battle of Britain base.
The first Jaguar squadrons to disband were 16 R and 41 Squadrons, who disbanded on 11th May 2005.
Images Coltishall Heritage Centre
With the final squadrons, No. 6 and 41 departing on 1st April 2006. RAF Coltishall finally closed its gates on 30th November 2006 with a celebration which included a flypast by four Jaguars from No. 6 Squadron at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire
Image courtesy of Stuart Thurtle
And a flypast and display by a Hurricane from The Historic Aircraft Collection (HAC) based at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, which was flown by Squadron Leader Al Pinner OC BBMF.
Image courtesy of Stuart Thurtle
This was not the end of Coltishall, as a group of like minded people were determined to keep the memories of Coltishall alive, and after many years of trying achieved their aim when the Coltishall Heritage centre was opened
Images courtesy of Stuart Thurtle
And another major achievement came in the shape of the center’s very own Jaguar, which arrived on the 19th July 2024.
Jaguar XZ384 will be on display for years to come and be maintained by the resident Jaguar experts.
Image courtesy of Stuart Thurtle
Images courtesy of Russell Kerr
