Caistor Directory

Back		Forward

R.A.F. CAISTOR
RAF Caistor opened in September 1940 as a satellite of Kirton in Lindsey. The grass runways were used by 264 Squadron flying Defiant night-fighters. Because of the unsuitability of the location, surrounded by the hills of the Lincolnshire Wolds and large wooded area it was relegated to a day only training role under the control of the RAF Flying College at Cranwell. In 1942 it was used by the 15 (P) Advanced Flying Unit from Kirmington. The station was returned to agriculturual use in 1945 but was used again by the RAF when 269 Squadron reformed on 22 July 1959 at Caistor as a Thor strategic missile unit. Each missile was armed with a one-megaton nuclear warhead, controlled by the US Air Force under so-called dual-key arrangements. RAF Hemswell was the headquarters for the 5 Lincolnshire dispersal sites at RAF Hemswell, RAF Bardney, RAF Caistor, RAF Coleby Grange and RAF Ludford Magna. The squadron disbanded again on 24 May 1963. Today the site is once more used for agriculture.
Back		Forward