Raf Church Fenton
The construction of RAF Church Fenton began in early 1936 on 260 acres of privately and council owned farm land aquired through a compulsory purchase order. The station was opened on 1st April 1937 midway through construction with station commander Wing Commander W.E. Swann assuming command on the 19th April. Within two months No. 71 Squadron RAF had arrived with the Gloster Gladiator. The station saw the peak of its activity during world war 2 when it served within the defence network of fighter bases of the RAF providing protection for the Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and Humberside industrial regions. As technologies evolved, the first night fighter Operational Training Unit (No. 54 OTU) was formed at Church Fenton in 1940 and stayed until 1942. Some of the squadrons stationed there flew the famous De Havilland Mosquito. After the war the station retained its role as a fighter base, it was also among the first to get modern jet aircraft like the Hawker Hunter and Gloster Meteor. In later years flight training became the stations main role. It was also for a time home to the Royal Navy Elementary Flying Training School (RNEFTS) using the Scottish Aviation Bulldog. On 25 March 2013 it was announced that Church Fenton would close by the end of 2013. The units would be relocated to RAF Linton on Ouse by 31 December 2013. By 19 December 2013, all units had relocated and the airfield was closed. The site has now split in to 3 areas with one area becoming Leeds East Airport, another area is also home to 2434 (Church Fenton) Squadron Air Training Corps and then the abandoned area which is now seperate from Leeds East Airport.