​​RAF East Kirkby​

​​During the early war years, the airfield was originally used as a decoy to try and draw the opposition away from nearby RAF Coningsby and RAF Manby. In 1943, following upgrades, it became operational and part of the airfields used by No. 5 Group. There were three intersecting runways and three large hangars, a fourth hangar was added later. The accommodation was located towards the north west corner while the bomb stores were positioned to the north east of the site. 

​On 17 April 1945, a major accident took place at the airfield with devasting results. The squadron were due to take part in a bombing raid on the railway yards of Chelm, Germany. While ground crews were preparing bombs and loading them onto the Lancaster planes for the raid, a 1000lbs bomb exploded. This resulted in further explosions. Three airmen were killed and another sixteen were wounded. Six Lancasters were damaged beyond repair, and fourteen Lancasters suffered significant damage.

​Following VE Day on the 8 May 1945, East Kirkby prepared No. 57 and No. 460 Squadrons to form ‘Tiger Force’ to support the allied invasion of the Japanese mainland. With the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the subsequent surrender of Japan, deployment was no longer necessary. After the war, the station was used by the US Air Force for some years. It closed in 1958. 

​East Kirkby is now home to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and ‘Just Jane’, a Lancaster. Memorials to those who served here are located at the entrance to the site from the main road.