[2] Work began in the spring of 1938 taking in approximately 250 acres (1.0 km2) of pasture for the airfield itself and a further 150 for the camp and support facilities.

As was common with these expansion scheme airfields, the construction of buildings took place over several months and the pace was only quickened by the outbreak of war.

[6] The squadron was equipped with Hampdens and, once having found its feet, it was moved to Syerston to begin operations in July.

These two squadrons, having been operational since April, continued their contribution to Bomber Command's offensive from the new station throughout the following winter.

[10][11] During the first two years of war, a bomb store had been constructed on the far side of the A614 as had a taxi spur with three pan hardstandings.

[12] However, extension of the airfield was somewhat restricted by the Hatfield Moor Drain on the eastern boundary but more land was acquired to the north necessitating the closure of two roads, one to the hamlet of Lindholme.

[13] A new bomb store was fashioned on land to the north of the station, which resulted in obstruction of seven pan dispersal points.

A few additional camp sites were added to the south of the main area giving the station maximum accommodation for 2,192 men and 365 women.

During the war, a total of 76 bombers were lost on operations flying from this airfield: 40 Hampdens, 35 Wellingtons and a single Lancaster.

[3] BCBS reduced in size quite dramatically in 1959 and 1960 and in the latter year there seemed to be only 4 Lincolns left, but this type was being replaced by Hastings.

[3] In the late 1960s and early 1970s, 721 Mobile Radar Bomb Score Signals Unit (721 MRBSSU) was lodged on a dispersal on the eastern side of the airfield.

Following the simulated release the aircraft would then transmit a coded message that provided the MRBSSU with the information necessary (wind velocity etc.)

to 'score' the attack, the results (in terms of bearing and distance from the designated target) being passed to the aircraft in another coded message.

The site was part of the Fighter Command air defence network and was called a Tactical Control Centre (TCC).

It became operational around 1961 and undertook these tasks for the duration of the SAM 1 missile life span before going over to area radar control functions.

Northern Radar was one of a number of JATCRUs around the UK whose civil task were to provide area radar cover for the then three area Air Traffic Control Centres (ATCCs), Scottish (located at Redbrae House, Prestwick), Preston (Barton Hall), and London (at West Drayton).

Beneath the MRSA all aircraft operating outside Controlled Airspace (CAS) were provided with a Radar Advisory Service.

[3] The last RAF connection, an automatic routing installation which opened on 25 May 1983 and was run by 840 Signals Unit, was closed in March 1996.