RAF Woolsington opened as a civil airport in July 1935 with a small scale military involvement from the start.

[1] An airfield close to Newcastle had first been proposed by the Air Ministry in 1929 and in 1933 suitable sites were being assessed for a runway with Town Moor also being considered.

[3] 43 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School was formed in June 1939 and was disbanded just three months later in September 1939.

72 Squadron RAF flying out of Woolsington actually shot down a Junkers Ju 88 at night.

[1] In 1941, Durham University Air Squadron (DUAS) was formed at Woolsington initially flying Tiger Moth aircraft.