Building of the airfield at Tarrant Rushton commenced in May 1942,the airfield being intened for the use of airborne forces of 38 Wing.On 17th
May 1943 the base was handed over while still unfinished.Glider operations finally started in October 1943 and continued until 1945.Aircraft from Tarrant took part in both D-Day and operation"Market
Garden "(Arnhem).During the closing stages of WW2 aircraft were used for SOE operations.
In September 1946 the airfield was placed on Care and Maintenance status until abandoned in December 1947.However 6 months later in June 1948
Flight Refuelling arrived to begin 30 years of occupancy.
Almost immediately,Flight Refuelling became involved in the Berlin Airlift and ,between July 1948 and August 1949,carried out nearly 4500
sorties using Lancastrians and Lancasters.During the following 30 years most activity was centred around conversion of aircraft for in-flight refueling.Among the types dealt with were Meteors and
F-84s.Trials were carried out with KB-29Ds of the USAF (see image below) using a three point probe & drogue system.I have recently(April 21st 2002) added a page listing known exports of Meteors via Tarrant Rushton,and also aircraft converted to U.15/16/21 configuration.To view CLICK HERE
In the 70s Flight Refueling moved out,flying operations moving to Hurn,and the airfield was used only by gliders and occasional light aircraft
until it was officially closed on 30th of September 1980.
