RAF Metheringham

​​The airfield formed part of No. 5 Group and was designated as a class ‘A’ bomber airfield. It had three concrete runways and three hangars. The communal accommodation at the airfield was located to the southwest area, and the bomb stores were positioned to the north.

​The airfield was also equipped with an early experimental version of the Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation (FIDO) system. Seven large fuel tanks pumped fuel into two fuel pipes on either side of the runway. When the open flame burners along the main runway were ignited, the heat would lift and disperse the fog. This in turn would illuminate the runways and make them clearly visible.

​From November 1943, No. 106 Squadron operated from the airfield with their Lancaster aircraft and stayed here until after the end of the Second World War. During this period, one aircraft, Lancaster JB663 ZN-A, code named ‘King of the Air’, completed a total of 111 bombing missions. No less than 267 awards for gallantry, including one Victoria Cross, were awarded to men of the squadron. Sergeant Norman Cyril Jackson received the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery, following a mission to Schweinfurt on the night of 26 to 27 April 1944, when he climbed onto the wing of an aircraft in mid-flight to extinguish a fire started by a German attack.

​Along with the perimeter tracks that formed the airfield, parts of the runway still remain today and are publicly accessible. Some of the buildings still exist, including the watch tower which can be seen as you go along the roads. Metheringham Airfield Visitors Centre is situated on the west side of the former airfield. A memorial to No. 106 Squadron can be found on the eastern side along the perimeter track.