Is RAF Wyton still open?
Matthew Wilson
Updated on February 26, 2026
Royal Air Force Wyton or more simply RAF Wyton (IATA: QUY, ICAO: EGUY) is a Royal Air Force station near St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. The airfield is decommissioned and is now home to the Joint Forces Intelligence Group….
| RAF Wyton | |
|---|---|
| Current commander | Wing Commander Keith Slack |
What is a Pathfinder aircraft?
The Pathfinder is a lightweight, solar-powered, remotely piloted flying wing aircraft that is demonstrating the technology of applying solar power for long-duration, high-altitude flight.
What planes did the Pathfinders use?
From its earliest operations in August 1942, the Pathfinders operated the Halifax, Lancaster, Stirling and Wellington (pictured above) and later the superb Mosquito as well.
What did Pathfinders do in ww2?
During World War II, the pathfinders were a group of volunteers selected within the Airborne units who were specially trained to operate navigation aids to guide the main airborne body to the drop zones.
What is the Pathfinder powered by?
Aircraft description Pathfinder was powered by eight electric motors — later reduced to six — which were first powered by batteries. It had a wing span of 98.4 feet (30.0 m). Two underwing pods contain the landing gear, batteries, triple-redundant instrumentation system, and dual-redundant flight control computers.
Where are the pathfinders based?
Colchester, England
The Pathfinder Platoon is a pathfinder unit of the British Army, and an integral part of 16 Air Assault Brigade….Pathfinder Platoon.
| Pathfinders | |
|---|---|
| Part of | 16 Air Assault Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Colchester, England |
| Nickname(s) | “The PF”, “The Finders”, “X Platoon”, “Ghost Platoon” |
| Motto(s) | First In |
What was a master bomber?
The role of the Master Bomber was to ensure the ‘heavies’ dropped their bombs in the right place. He would be over the target area for the whole a raid. The Master Bomber would check on the fall of the TI’s. The Master Bomber would also keep an eye out for crews who started to bomb to early.
When did RAF Brampton close?
The station closed at the end of 2013 with large scale demolition of the buildings taking place in 2016 and into 2017. The site is being cleared to make way for housing but some of the buildings and trees on the site are protected. There are plans for between 400 and 500 homes on the site.
Where is the Pathfinder collection at RAF Wyton?
We are delighted to be partnered with the Pathfinder Collection at RAF Wyton, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, who have on display some of our best material, in particular the Deverill Collection.
What is the Pathfinder collection?
The Collection is dedicated to No. 8 Pathfinder Group of Bomber Command, the RAF’s only officially recognized elite force. During the Second World War, RAF Station Wyton was the main Pathfinder airfield.
What’s happened in Wyton?
1956 – Joint School of Aerial Photographic Interpretation was founded. 2013 – Pathfinder building opened to house the Joint Force Intelligence Group. The area around Wyton has been associated with aviation since 1912, a period that embraces almost the entire history of aviation.
What is the history of Wyton airfield?
1916 – Airfield opened as a training airfield for the Royal Flying Corps. 1939 – Aircraft from RAF Wyton took part in some of the first bombing raids of the Second World War. 1942 – The Pathfinder Force was formed here under Group Captain Don Bennett. 1956 – Joint School of Aerial Photographic Interpretation was founded.
