Monument record TDD 019 - Tuddenham Airfield

Second World War airfield site, for details see (S1). Tuddenham was located 7 miles north west of Bury St Edmunds. Built late 1942, it was Class A standard, allocated to 3 Group, Bomber Command and the first unit, No 90 Squadron arrived in October 1943. Three intersecting runways, a total of 38 hardstandings of the loop type along the perimeter track and standard two T2 hangars. Later a B1 repair hangar was added. The airfield had FIDO fog clearance burners installed, which were first used in August 1944. Twelve dispersed sites among woods and farmland S of the Tuddenham-Cavenham road included domestic accommodation for 1,845 males and 250 females. Stirlings and Lancasters stationed on base. Closed for flying in November 1946 (S3).
In July 1959 Tuddenham became a nuclear missile site with 3 Thor medium range missiles as part of the UK-USA nuclear deterrent agreement. They were withdrawn in 1963 and the site closed in July that year (S3).
In July 1963 the site closed and was used mainly for agriculture and as a mineral extraction (gravel) site. Almost nothing now remains of the airfield.
For 1946 APs see (S2).
For associated barracks (surviving) see CAM 044 and anti-glider ditches, see CAM 019 and 034.
Sewage works at TL 742 707 also possibly associated.
For nearby dummy airfield at Cavenham see CAM Misc.
A former World War Two military airfield, later reused as a Thor Missile Site. It opened in 1943. The airfield was an operational bomber station for Royal Air Force 3 Group, 90 and 138 Squadrons. The airfield was equipped with three concrete runways and Type T2 and B1 aircraft hangars. A number of wartime buildings survive along with part of the runway. Warime construction methods typically involved the use of "temporary" materials for many buildings and structures. In 1946 Tuddenham closed to flying. From 1953 to 1958 it was a United States Air Force supply depot. The Royal Air Force then once more took over part of the airfield for use as a Thor Missile Site: for details of this later use please see TL 77 SE 113. The airfield was disposed of in 1963 and subsequently used for gravel extraction and agricultural purposes (S4).
Formerly recorded as Tuddenham Misc.