Earl Colne Airfield, Essex (Station 358), by Paul Clouting, Martin B-26 Marauder.

Earl Colne Airfield, Essex (Station 358)
Boreham Airfield, Essex (Station 161) - Select here
Rivenhall Airfield, Essex (Station 168) - Select here
by Paul Clouting ©

Home to the 323^rd Bomb group from June to July 1944
To the Southwest of the airfield, the headquarters of Ninth Bomber Command
operated from the Elizabethan mansion of Marks Hall.

On finals to Earls Colne’s grass strip runway in 2001. The grass runway runs parallel to the former secondary runway 07-25, parts of which can still be seen to the right of this shot. To the left is the head of the Western taxi-way and off to the left in the distance would be the village of Earls Colne.

Just this small strip of former runway 07-25 still remains. To the left is the current grass runway.

This photograph from 1996 was taken from the head of the Southern taxiway, looking down the main 6,000 feet runway, 01-19. Like most of the Essex airfields the concrete runways and taxiways were either removed completely, or in the case of Earls Colne, partially removed to leave access roads for farm vehicles. The buildings in front form part of an expansive recreational facility developed on the former airfield site. These include a sports centre, health and fitness clubs, a hotel, two 18-hole golf courses, and a golf driving range.

The airfield control tower as it stood in 1996 in use as a private dwelling. Sadly this building was recently demolished. This western side of the airfield now forms part of a thriving and expanding business park.

Remains of the firing-in butts as photographed in 1996.

Located on the Eastern side of the airfield.

Only one of Earls Colne’s T-2 aircraft hangers remain. Located on the Eastern side of the airfield, adjacent to the Earls Colne – Coggeshall road. Now used as storage for “CA Blackwell’s” heavy construction machinery.

These concrete access roads located on the East side of the airfield are all that remains of the former bomb storage area.

This oval storage shed is located on the airfield side of the Colne – Coggeshall road across from the bomb store. May have been used as a storage facility for bomb towing equipment.