History of Nottingham Airport (Tollerton)
See also Tollerton Airfield Project
1930
· June 19th 1930 – Official opening by Sir Sefton Branckner, Minister of Aviation (later killed in the R101 crash)
· National Flying Services used the airfield
· Pilot’s times logged by a ground engineer in a tent!
· Landing area grass covered
1937
· Civil Air Guard formed a training school
1938
· RAFVR Training School flew Miles Magisters, Ansons, Hawker Harts
· Major extensions and improvements to the airfield and buildings
1939
· At the outbreak of war the flying school closed
· The airfield was taken over by the Air Ministry
· It was used initially as a ‘Scatter field’ for Hampdens from RAF Waddington
· It was also used as a training satellite to RAF Newton
1941
· 3 runways were laid and many buildings added
· The Polish training school used the airfield until 1946 using various aircraft
· During this time battle-damaged aircraft were repaired by Field Aircraft Services: Dakotas, Hampdens, Halifaxes, Manchesters, Liberators, and the most prevalent, the Lancasters. These were either flown in or brought in on ‘Queen Marys’
Post War
· The flying club reformed and small civil airlines used the airfield
· At this time the Ministry of Aviation intended the airfield to become the main airport for Nottingham but this didn’t happen because of size limitations
· Field Aircraft Services ironically turned from repairing to demolishing aircraft from the war
1949
· The small airlines closed and the airfield was used by private aircraft only
· The RAF returned in the airfield was used as a satellite training school to Syerston until 1956
1957
· Sherwood Flying Club was formed
1963
· Truman Aviation took over the site on a 75 year lease and still own the airfield today
1966
· 2425 Squadron was originally formed at Nottingham Airport
1985
· 2425 HQ building was opened when 2425 returned to Nottingham Airport from Keyworth
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