2344 (Longbenton) Squadron has a fascinating history!
2344 Squadron was formed in 1956 on the site of RAF Longbenton
RAF Longbenton was built in 1939 to be used as a large barrage balloon centre for the local area, providing training and storage of equipment for balloon operators.
The base was built on 86 acres of what was farm land belonging to Benton Farm (the location now occupied by our building). Nissen huts, storage garages (hangars) and living quarters were erected on the site.
The main road running east-west along the top of the image is Front Street, the north-south road in the centre is now Marquis Close.
The site was known as No. 15 Balloon Centre and was the ‘home base’ for 936, 937, and 938 Balloon Squadrons.
Some of these units were tasked with the flying of balloons on the Tyne, stopping Luftwaffe bombing runs destroying the war infrastructure such as the shipyards, or armament factories.
Later, post-war use of RAF Longbenton is unclear. Information shows a link between radar controlling and the station, though there is little information about this.
The site was recognised as an RAF station in 1956 and awarded it’s badge. Central is the Tri-Castle from the Newcastle coat of arms, backdropped by electric bolts.
We thought that was it for the aviation history of our area… but no!
In 1913, the Armstrong-Whitworth aircraft factory was established at Duke’s Moor; taking over a previous skating rink which was itself formerly the grandstand of Newcastle Racecourse.
The factory produced some early aircraft and flew them out of the Town Moor to newly formed Royal Flying Corps Squadrons around the North East.
The B.E. 2c was built and delivered to No. 36 Squadron RFC based at Cramlington aerodrome in 1916 and used by the squadron for home defence on the coast between Whitby and Newcastle.
A patch of flat land was found in Longbenton to use as a recovery or emergency landing site. It is thought that land between the now Quorum Business Park and the site of the former Fusilier pub.
Now, back to us…
2344 (Longbenton) Squadron ATC was formed in 1956 at the site of RAF Longbenton. The Squadron Used the hangars and nissen huts around the base for various activities, often benefitting from the guidance of RAF reserve volunteers who worked, or had worked, at the station.
Following news of the station’s closure in 1958, plans were put in place to build a specific building for the squadron towards the north end of the site. The ATC HQ was finished and opened in 1963 and had taken on a trial ATC hut style known as the ‘Salter’ hut.
It’s visible from the map above that even after the station’s ‘closure’ there were still bits of RAF infrastructure remaining on the site.
This hangar, for example, was only destroyed in 1994 as work on the university campus continued.
Throughout the 1990’s the land around the site was redeveloped.
A driving test centre, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and new houses were built on Marquis Close. Behind the ATC hut, Manorfields cul-de-sac was built and to the south-east of the site, Tyneview Park was built to house the Department for Work and Pensions
In the 2010’s, further development took place. The driving test centre was closed and demolished around 2014, and Benton Farm Mews was built to the north of the ATC hut, finally removing the last remaining bit of Benton Farm in Benton Farm Cottage that was removed and built over.
