Information for record number MWA8027:
Baginton Airfield

Summary Bagington Airfield was opened in 1936. It continued to be used as a municipal Airfield after the Second World War. It is situated to the west of Bubbenhall.
What Is It?  
Type: Airfield, Hangar, Aircraft Factory
Period: Modern (1914 AD - 2050 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Baginton
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 35 74
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 A municipal airfield developed before 1939 with the support of "Armstrong Whitey" who built their new works (MWA 8095) adjacent the airfield. The first paved runway was not built until 1960. Continues in use as a municipal airfield.
2 Report of a student project investigating the changing land use of all RAF airfields in the modern county of Warwickshire.
3 Vertical air photograph.
4 Oblique air photograph.
5Baginton airfield is now Coventry International Airport but in the early years of the Second World War it was a RAF Sector Station for the Midlands. It was not ideally suited to the purpose, being without proper accommodation for men or machines. The aerial photographs of this period (see
3,
4) show aircraft, possibly Hawker Hurricanes, dispersed across the northern end of the field with temporary canvas hangars, which illustrates the nature of the hurried occupation of the airfield. An attempt to disguise the field by painting trees and hedges on the ground is also visible. The life of the airfield as a Sector Station was limited; it was subsequently enlarged for use by the heavy bombers of 60 Group. Unusually, it was not provided with a concrete runway, which would have precluded fully laden takeoffs. Photographs taken in 1946 show a number of four engine bombers, Handley Page Halifax and Avro Lancaster, dispersed about the site. Given the date, March 1946, and their generally untidy and close spacing they appear to be either awaiting repair or are surplus to requirement and about to be scrapped. One other oddity is a tailless aircraft just outside the factory, apparently part of the Armstrong-Whitworth experimental development programme. There were two aircraft factories, both owned by Armstrong Whitworth. The original factory at Whitley is located to the north-west of the airfield. The later factory was located on the eastern edge of the airfield and was provided with external air-raid shelters and temporary accommodation huts for either workers or the military personnel that manned the defences that are evident on the aerial photographs.
6 Baginton was recquisitioned within days of the outbreak of war and the erection of four hangers to the west of the airfield was started. No 1 Camoflauge Unit formed at Baginton in September 1939; it was in use as a Sector Station from 1940. Detailed information.
7 After 1930 Armstrong Whitworth needed needed a larger aifield and construction of the Bagington airfield started in 1935 with the first flight on 25th May 1936. Includes plan photograph and details.
8 A former military airfield, which was opened in 1934, it was used in the Second World War and has also been used as the civil airport for Coventry since at least 1967. The site also houses the Midland Air Museum. During the Second World War it served as a satellite airfield for Honily. In 1944 it was used by 26 Bomber Group of the Royal Air Force, and at that time was equipped only with grass landing surfaces and two Bellman type hangars. The crew complement in December 1944 was 10 Royal Air Force and 11 Women’s Auxiliary Air Force personnel. There was temporary accommodation on the site.
9 First opened in 1936 as Baginton Aerodrome, Coventry Airport has been used for general aviation, flight training, and commercial freight and passenger flights, as well as being a World War II fighter airfield. 308 (Krakow) Squadron, which flew both Spitfires and Hurricanes were staioned at RAF Baginton.
 
Sources
Source No: 3
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title: Aerial photograph
Author/originator:
Date: 1959
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title: Aerial photograph
Author/originator:
Date: 1942
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No:
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Aviation in Warwickshire Between the Wars
Author/originator: Jenks, Alfred J.
Date: 2006
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Aviation in Warwickshire Between the Wars
Author/originator: Jenks, Alfred J.
Date: 2006
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Fifty years of changing land use
Author/originator: Freeman, H
Date: 1989
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Premises, Sites etc. within 30 miles of Harrington Museum used for Military Purposes.
Author/originator: John Brace
Date: Before 2017.
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Premises, Sites etc. within 30 miles of Harrington Museum used for Military Purposes.
Author/originator: John Brace
Date: Before 2017.
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Airfields in the Second World War
Author/originator: Smith G
Date: 2004
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: SMR Form
Author/originator: Brace, J
Date: 1998
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Archaeological Resource Assessment of the Aggregates Producing Areas of Warwickshire
Author/originator: Magnus Alexander with S Palmer and L Chadd
Date: 2007
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique Aerial Photograph Aerial photographs are taken during an aerial survey, which involves looking at the ground from above. It is usually easier to see cropmarks and earthworks when they are viewed from above. Aerial photographs help archaeologists to record what they see and to identify new sites. There are two kinds of aerial photographs; oblique and vertical. back
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
more -> 		back
period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
more -> 		back
monument ACCOMMODATION HUT * A hut used for the accommodation of members of the armed forces. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument COMMERCIAL * This is the top term for the class. See COMMERCIAL Class list for narrow terms. back
monument RUNWAY * A hard level roadway or other surface from which aircraft take off and land. back
monument MILITARY AIRFIELD * A landing and taking-off area for military aircraft. Often includes ancilliary structures and buildings for the maintenance and storage of aircraft, etc. back
monument SHELTER * A structure which protects an area of ground from the weather. back
monument WELL * A shaft or pit dug in the ground over a supply of spring-water. back
monument FIELD * An area of land, often enclosed, used for cultivation or the grazing of livestock. back
monument MUSEUM * A building, group of buildings or space within a building, where objects of value such as works of art, antiquities, scientific specimens, or other artefacts are housed and displayed. back
monument DEFENCE * This is the top term for the class. See DEFENCE Class List for narrow terms. back
monument ENGINE * A machine, powered by steam, gas, electricity or other energy source, which produces energy of movement. Use for stationary industrial engines rather than transport use. back
monument CIVIL AIRPORT * A landing and taking off area for civil aircraft, usually with surfaced runways and aircraft maintenance and passenger facilities. back
monument AIRCRAFT * An aircraft, either whole or in part. Aircraft often survive as commemorative monuments, gate guardians or crash sites. back
monument HEDGE * Usually a row of bushes or small trees planted closely together to form a boundary between pieces of land or at the sides of a road. back
monument AIRFIELD * An area or site used for the landing and take-off of aircraft, often including associated buildings, equipment and other installations. back
monument HANGAR * A large shed for the housing of aircraft, etc. back
monument FACTORY * A building or complex, housing powered machinery and employing a large workforce for manufacturing purposes. Use specific monument type where known. back
monument AIRCRAFT FACTORY * A factory where aircraft are assembled. back
monument AIRPORT * A site, including an airfield and customs house, where air passengers embark and disembark. back
monument WORKS * Usually a complex of buildings for the processing of raw materials. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record