RAF Rivenhall

Discussion 2 posts |  Only members can post. Join?

About RAF Rivenhall

RAF Rivenhall is an abandoned WWII airbase in Essex, England, and was home to both the Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force. Opened in 1942, RAF Rivenhall played a major part in the war, flying many successful missions over occupied Europe. Eventually coming to the end of its life after the war, the airbase was closed 1946, and after 10 years on standby is slowly disappearing.

RAF Rivenhall Now
The airbase was constructed in a typical ‘class A’ formation with three runways forming a triangular shape. From the air this formation is still visible, although don’t be fooled in thinking that the Google satellite images are up to date, the continuation of quarrying on the northern half is spreading south. What was left of the runways and support roads is fast being dug up.

The South West Side
The western side of the airbase has a radar tower, a hangar, the remains of the taxi-way and a good number of loop type aircraft standings. Unfortunately recently the area has been completely cleared of buildings, apart from a few being used directly adjacent to a farmhouse. There are two large T-2 type hangars at RAF Rivenhall, both easy to locate on google and both are still standing, but both with very different near futures. The hanger on the West side (Hangar No.1) is now listed, and has had a new coat of black paint, so it should be around for many more years to come.

The South East Side
The hanger on this side (Hangar No.2) is in its original state, although Marconi (who own most of the site) apparently made modifications to the roofline after the war, resulting in this hanger not being legible for listing and is apparently due to be knocked down. Unlike the western side of the airbase, this side has not been cleared and a large number of buildings still remain.

The ground support station (constructed mostly of nissen huts) now lie in a wooded area to the south along with a picket post. Other buildings survive nearby such as the airbase’s former communal site now housing local businesses.