RAF Skellingthorpe

The airfield opened in 1941 under the control of RAF Bomber Command and consisted of the standard pattern of three runways, with one Type B1 and two Type T2 hangars. Nissen huts were used for accommodation. It was known as "Skelly" by the RAF personnel serving there. No. 50 Squadron RAF, equipped with Handley Page Hampdens, was the first squadron based at Skellingthorpe, with the first detachment of personnel arriving shortly before the runways were complete. They were followed by No. 455 Squadron RAAF (also flying Hampdens), however this squadron moved to RAF Wigsley shortly afterwards. The 50 Squadron Hampdens were replaced with Avro Manchesters in April 1942, then, in June 1942,…

The Birchwood Estate was built on the airfield in the 1970s, and the A46 Lincoln Bypass was built on it in 1986. The local public house, The Black Swan, was named after the R/T call sign of the airfield.