Monument record SNT 048 - Shepherds Grove; Hepworth Airfield: Stanton airfield

Airfield built in 1943 for 8th Air Force (USAAF) but actually used by RAF No 3 Group of Bomber Command - essentially a Stirling bomber base during 2nd WW. Closed 1950. During the Cold War used as fighter base by USAAF from 1951-8. In 1957 nuclear store built (also see BNH 054) and later, when planes had gone, airfield was used for Thor missiles (in 1959).
'The storage area for the early American nuclear bombs is now very unusual and surprisingly complete'. Two igloo type buildings were for Mk 7s and later Mk 28 thermonuclear weapons. Details in (S1, S2, S3) etc.
Original control tower demolished June 2006. Part of site now used as industrial estate.
Also see RAF AP coverage of circa 1946 for layuout of base and accomadation blocks (to W) (S4).
A World War Two military airfield, later used as a Thor missile site, a number of wartime buildings and part of the runway survive. The wartime Royal Air Force Bomber Command airfield, thought to have been used from 1943 onward consisted of three concrete runways and two aircraft hangars (Type T2). Wartime construction methods involved the use of "temporary" materials for many buildings and structures. The airfield was re-occupied during the early 1950s by the United States Air Force, they mainly re-used the wartime buildings, but at least one new structure was erected a fire station. This is a single-storey building, centred at TL 9873 7294, and is constructed from pre-cast cement blocks similar to those used in the 1950s bomb store. Please see TL 97 SE 25 for details of this later area of re-use (S4).
Site of regional or national importance.