Page 12 - Derek Braithet Holland

All pictures of this airfield

©RAF Clyffe Pypard

The site of RAF Clyffe Pypard airfield opened in 1941 and closed in 1947. Its main role in World
War Two was as a training airfield for No. 29 Elementary Training Flying School, mainly using
Tiger Moth aircraft. Although the airfield had only grass landing surfaces, there was a concrete
perimeter track or taxiway. In 1942 The airfield was expanded in size by 30%, despite this the
training programme was so busy that other airfields, such as Alton Barnes, had to be used for
courses. By 1944 the airfield had 15 blister aircraft hangars and 4 bellman aircraft hangars (one of
the latter survives, see above). After the war training continued until 1947 when the school and the
airfield were closed. From 1947 to 1962 part of the site continued to be used by the RAF as transit
camp accommodation. The site was subsequently used for agriculture, a farm being established in
the north east corner of the airfield. A number of airfield features survive, including the perimeter
track, though much of the flying field was reported as being under the plough in 2002.