The History of Aviation: Exploring Metheringham Airfield in the UK

Few parts of Britain are as closely tied to the history of military aviation as Lincolnshire. During the Second World War, its flat farmland was dotted with bomber stations, and Metheringham Airfield was one of them. Today, the site is quiet, but its story reaches into the broader history of flight, from the arrival of the heavy bomber to the sacrifices of the crews who flew them. This guide looks at how the airfield came about, who served there, and how its memory is kept alive.

Lincolnshire, the Home of Bomber Command

Lincolnshire earned the nickname Bomber County because so many RAF stations were built across its low, open land. The terrain suited large airfields, and the county’s position on the east coast shortened the flight to targets in occupied Europe and Germany. By 1945, dozens of bomber stations were operating in the county, and the sound of heavy engines was part of daily life for local villagers.

Much of this growth happened quickly. Between 1939 and 1945, the Air Ministry built hundreds of airfields across Britain, and Lincolnshire’s farmland provided room for runways, hangars and the huts that housed thousands of airmen and women. Villages such as Metheringham found themselves next door to a military community almost overnight.

The Making of RAF Metheringham

Metheringham opened in 1943 as part of the expansion of Bomber Command’s heavy bomber force. Like most airfields of its generation, it was laid out with three concrete runways in a triangular pattern, a perimeter track, and dispersal points where aircraft were parked apart from one another. Living quarters, workshops and bomb and fuel stores were scattered around the edges of the site so that a single air raid could not destroy everything at once.

The station’s main unit was No. 106 Squadron, which flew the Avro Lancaster, the best-known British heavy bomber of the war. The squadron had earlier been commanded by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, who later led the famous Dams Raid, and that link places Metheringham within one of the most celebrated chapters of RAF history.

Some quick facts place the airfield in context:

• Location: Open Lincolnshire countryside south-east of Lincoln, beside the village of Metheringham.
• Role: A heavy bomber station in RAF Bomber Command, flying night operations against targets in occupied Europe and Germany.
• Main unit: No. 106 Squadron, flying Avro Lancasters.
• Layout: Three concrete runways, a perimeter track and dispersal points, a pattern repeated on many wartime airfields.
• Today: Most of the site has returned to farmland, with a visitor centre and memorial recalling its wartime role.

The Avro Lancaster

The Avro Lancaster first flew in 1941 and entered service in 1942, and it soon became the backbone of Bomber Command’s night offensive. More than 7,000 were built. Powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, it could carry heavier bomb loads than most of its contemporaries, and its long bomb bay could be adapted for specialist weapons, including the bouncing bomb used in the Dams Raid and the huge Grand Slam.

Flying a Lancaster was demanding. Missions took place at night, often lasting seven or eight hours, in unheated aircraft at altitudes where temperatures fell far below freezing. Crews relied on navigation aids and careful teamwork, and every member had a clear task.

A standard Lancaster crew of seven shared the work:

• Pilot and flight engineer: The pilot commanded the aircraft, while the flight engineer monitored the engines, fuel and systems.
• Navigator and bomb aimer: The navigator plotted the route, and the bomb aimer guided the aircraft over the target and released the bombs.
• Wireless operator: Handled radio communication and received messages from base during the flight.
• Gunners: The mid-upper and rear gunners watched for enemy fighters and defended the aircraft with machine guns.

Life on the Station

Life on a bomber station followed a rhythm set by operations. Ground crews worked long hours in all weather to inspect, repair and refuel the aircraft, while armorers loaded bombs and ammunition. On the day of a mission, briefings told crews about the target, route and expected defenses, and a meal and final checks came before takeoff at dusk.

Waiting was as much a part of the experience as flying. Crews returning at dawn were debriefed, ate a meal and tried to sleep, knowing that another call might come that evening. Many airmen were in their early twenties or younger, and they came from Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. The station became a small, close community where friendships formed quickly and, too often, ended abruptly.

The Cost of War and How It Is Remembered

The air war was costly. More than 55,000 Bomber Command aircrew were killed during the Second World War, and tens of thousands more were injured or taken prisoner. The loss rate for crews was among the highest of any branch of the Allied forces, and every squadron, including those at Metheringham, mourned friends who did not return from missions.

Remembering them has become an important part of Lincolnshire’s heritage. The International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, which opened in 2018, combines an exhibition and archive with a tall memorial spire and walls bearing the names of those who died. At former airfields such as Metheringham, smaller memorials and volunteer-run exhibitions keep local stories alive.

After the War: From Airfield to Farmland

When the war ended, airfields that had been built in a hurry were no longer needed. Many were closed, their buildings dismantled, and their land returned to farming, and Metheringham followed this pattern. Today, the old runways and perimeter tracks are mostly overgrown or used as farm tracks, but patient visitors can still trace the outline of the site. The memory of the station survived thanks to local people and veterans’ families, who preserved photographs, logbooks and personal items.

Visiting Today

Anyone interested in this part of aviation history can combine several places in a single trip:

• Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre: A volunteer-run museum and memorial on the former airfield, with displays about the station and its crews. Check opening days before you travel.
• International Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln: A modern memorial, exhibition and archive recording the stories of Bomber Command personnel.
• Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby: A former bomber station where a restored Lancaster is the centerpiece of the displays.
• RAF Coningsby: Home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, whose Lancaster is one of the very few still able to fly.
• Woodhall Spa: A village with strong links to the Dambusters, including a memorial to 617 Squadron.

Why Metheringham Still Matters

Metheringham Airfield is a small place with a large story. It illustrates how an ordinary stretch of Lincolnshire farmland became an important part of a global conflict, connecting local communities to the wider history of military aviation during the Second World War. Through its association with No. 106 Squadron and the Avro Lancaster, the airfield offers insight into the aircraft, technology and teamwork that shaped Bomber Command’s operations. Its history also reveals the demanding conditions faced by aircrews, the dedication of ground personnel and the uncertainty experienced by families waiting for their loved ones to return.

Beyond its military significance, Metheringham represents the importance of preserving historical sites and personal stories. Although much of the original airfield has returned to agricultural use, memorials, photographs, records and volunteer-led exhibitions help keep its legacy alive. These reminders connect present-day visitors with the experiences of the people who served there, ensuring that their contributions and sacrifices are not forgotten. 

The airfield also forms part of Lincolnshire’s wider aviation heritage, linking it to other former bomber stations, museums and memorials throughout the county. Whether explored in person or through historical research, Metheringham provides a meaningful opportunity to understand how aviation transformed warfare and affected communities far beyond the battlefield.

RAF Metheringham at a Glance

Conclusion

The history of Metheringham Airfield reflects a significant chapter in British aviation and the wider story of the Second World War. From its development as a Bomber Command station to the demanding operations flown by Lancaster crews, the airfield demonstrates the technological progress, courage and human cost associated with wartime aviation. Although its military role has long since ended, its historical importance continues through the work of local communities, museums and memorial organizations. 

By preserving these places and sharing the stories of those who served, future generations can gain a deeper understanding of the people behind the aircraft and the events that shaped modern history. Metheringham’s legacy ultimately reminds us that aviation history is not only about machines and missions, but also about human lives, sacrifice and the enduring responsibility to remember the past.