Airfield call signs
- ME453
- Wing Commander
- Posts: 719
- Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:37 pm
- Location: Dorset but nearly Somerset and Wilts
- Contact:
Airfield call signs
As you will all know, each RAF airfield had its own call sign used by aircraft when getting in touch with the control tower: Waddington for instance was "Slangword". I've never seen a complete list before, but Richard (PAFG to ex LAFers) sent me this list recently after his visit to Kew. I'm very much indebted to Richard, and I'm sure he won't mind me sharing this with you all:
Abingdon: Peeloff
Alconbury: Sailfirst
Attlebridge: Murex
Balderton: Cheapride
Bardney: Smalltype
Barford St John: Critic
Bassingbourn: Frontpiece
Benson: Digdeep
Bicester: Dunbridge
Binbrook: Leary
Bircoates: Matchbox
Bitteswell: Lickwell
Blyton: Sleepwalk
Bodney: Beachhouse
Bottesford: Ringout
Bourn: Crestwave
Bramcote: Drakeford
Breighton: Nosmo
Bruntingthorpe: Kirbchain
Burn: Roundshot
Carnaby: Human
Castle Donington: Homecamp
Chedburgh: Roughedge
Cheddington: Hillside
Chipping Warden: Payoff
Church Broughton: Musichall
Coningsby: Mulebag
Cottesmore: Parkwest
Cranfield: Nutcrack
Croft: Bigtree
Croughton: Blackpearl
Dalton: Holdtight
Desborough: Homeyard
Dishforth: Mismay
Doncaster: Anted
Downham Market: Offstrike
Driffield: Braemar
Dunholme Lodge: Bluestripe
East Kirkby: Silksheen
East Moor: Singer
East Wretham: Woodbrook
Edgehill: Lifelike
Elgin: Rooksnest
Elsham Wolds: Shopboy
Elvington: Farmwork
Enstone: Bestthing
Faldingworth: Rimer
Feltwell: Dewpool
Finmere: Fairmaid
Finningley: Newbridge
Fiskerton: Passout
Forres: Crossbones
Foulsham: Cartwright
Fulbeck: Oilgrease
Full Sutton: Carter
Gamston: Jelkot
Gaydon: Boarshead
Gransden Lodge: Ardmore
Graveley: Brishbrush
Great Massingham: Heyho
Grimsby: Nametab
Hampstead Norris: Lifeline
Harrington : Pipecraft
Harwell: Poundweight
Hemswell: Deluxe
Hinton-in-the-Hedges: Oppose
Hixon: Cliffroad
Holme-on-Spalding Moor: Sigmoid
Honeybourne: Hatchland
Honiley: Draycart
Honington: Outshine
Horsham St Faith: Hulking
Husbands Bosworth: Sepsis
Ingham: Runik
Kelstern: Peekfrean
Kimbolton: Eartone
Kinloss: Plateglass
Kirmington: Risky
Kirkby Marsh: Earwig
Martha: Payload
Hamba: Mildmay
Langar: Phonering
Leconfield: Queerlane
Leeming: Mustwe
Lichfield: Affray
Lindholme: Rilla
Linton-on-Ouse: Dogbark
Lissett: Stepin
Little Horwood: Shanto
Little Snoring: Exking
Little Staughton: Breadboard
Long Marston: Handbag
Lossiemouth: Scarface
Ludford Magna: Revolve
Marham: Smallhead
Market Harborough: Bigtrout
Marston Moor: Leven
Melbourne: Milkpail
Mepal: Mawkish
Metheringham: Coffeestall
Methwold: Highheel
Middleton St George: Strapper
Mildenhall: Redcoat
Molesworth: Sabbo
Moreton-in-Marsh: Marklane
Mount Farm: Skaterink
Newmarket: Pibrock
Newton: Parkflow
North Creake: Worker
North Killingholme: Lambec
North Luffenham: Roadhouse
Nuneaton: Mission
Oakington: Pioneer
Oakley: Finegem
Ossington: Mopal
Oulton: Azure
Pershore: Sideslip
Pocklington: Firstaid
Polebrook: Newflick
Riccall: Stonebridge
Ridgewell: Clydesdale
Rufforth: Garwood
Saltby: Scribal
Sandtoft: Queensarm
Scampton: Lefthand
Sculthorpe: Amberglow
Seighford: Monkplace
Silverstone: Rosehue
Skellingthorpe: Blackswan
Skipton-on-Swale: Briarwood
Snaith: Agnola
Spilsby: Foamrange
Stanton Harcourt: Fishtail
Steeple Morden: Tworoom
Stradishall: Halma
Stratford: Keepwell
Strubby: Fruitpick
Sturgate: Seham
Swannington: Docile
Swanton Morley: Firstlord
Swinderby: Shortjack
Syerston: Stuga
Tatenhill: Silex
Tempsford : Brasstray
Thirsk: [not listed]
Tholthorpe: Fishzone
Tilstock: Freshwater
Topcliffe: Goodfriend
Tuddenham: Singhigh
Turweston: Hotstuff
Upper Heyford: Shellike
Upwood: Hardnut
Waddington: Slangword
Warboys: Fulltime
Waterbeach: Nectar
Wattisham: Heater
Watton: Backit
Wellesbourne Mountford: Nidus
Westcott: Pepsin
Weston-on-the-Green: Mercer
West Raynham: Vertex
Wickenby: Grateful
Wigsley: Donus
Wing: Bridesmile
Winthorpe: Clickheel
Witchford: Blackmass
Wombleton: Chickenleg
Woodbridge: Everret
Woodhall Spa: Guncrew
Woolfox Lodge: Headfirst
Worksop: Davidson
Wratting Common: Heelclick
Wymeswold: Bigstep
Wyton: Beachline
It makes you wonder how they came up with some of these names, and would you have wanted to be a pilot based at Leconfield calling the attractive WAAF in the Control Tower??
Regards
Max
Abingdon: Peeloff
Alconbury: Sailfirst
Attlebridge: Murex
Balderton: Cheapride
Bardney: Smalltype
Barford St John: Critic
Bassingbourn: Frontpiece
Benson: Digdeep
Bicester: Dunbridge
Binbrook: Leary
Bircoates: Matchbox
Bitteswell: Lickwell
Blyton: Sleepwalk
Bodney: Beachhouse
Bottesford: Ringout
Bourn: Crestwave
Bramcote: Drakeford
Breighton: Nosmo
Bruntingthorpe: Kirbchain
Burn: Roundshot
Carnaby: Human
Castle Donington: Homecamp
Chedburgh: Roughedge
Cheddington: Hillside
Chipping Warden: Payoff
Church Broughton: Musichall
Coningsby: Mulebag
Cottesmore: Parkwest
Cranfield: Nutcrack
Croft: Bigtree
Croughton: Blackpearl
Dalton: Holdtight
Desborough: Homeyard
Dishforth: Mismay
Doncaster: Anted
Downham Market: Offstrike
Driffield: Braemar
Dunholme Lodge: Bluestripe
East Kirkby: Silksheen
East Moor: Singer
East Wretham: Woodbrook
Edgehill: Lifelike
Elgin: Rooksnest
Elsham Wolds: Shopboy
Elvington: Farmwork
Enstone: Bestthing
Faldingworth: Rimer
Feltwell: Dewpool
Finmere: Fairmaid
Finningley: Newbridge
Fiskerton: Passout
Forres: Crossbones
Foulsham: Cartwright
Fulbeck: Oilgrease
Full Sutton: Carter
Gamston: Jelkot
Gaydon: Boarshead
Gransden Lodge: Ardmore
Graveley: Brishbrush
Great Massingham: Heyho
Grimsby: Nametab
Hampstead Norris: Lifeline
Harrington : Pipecraft
Harwell: Poundweight
Hemswell: Deluxe
Hinton-in-the-Hedges: Oppose
Hixon: Cliffroad
Holme-on-Spalding Moor: Sigmoid
Honeybourne: Hatchland
Honiley: Draycart
Honington: Outshine
Horsham St Faith: Hulking
Husbands Bosworth: Sepsis
Ingham: Runik
Kelstern: Peekfrean
Kimbolton: Eartone
Kinloss: Plateglass
Kirmington: Risky
Kirkby Marsh: Earwig
Martha: Payload
Hamba: Mildmay
Langar: Phonering
Leconfield: Queerlane
Leeming: Mustwe
Lichfield: Affray
Lindholme: Rilla
Linton-on-Ouse: Dogbark
Lissett: Stepin
Little Horwood: Shanto
Little Snoring: Exking
Little Staughton: Breadboard
Long Marston: Handbag
Lossiemouth: Scarface
Ludford Magna: Revolve
Marham: Smallhead
Market Harborough: Bigtrout
Marston Moor: Leven
Melbourne: Milkpail
Mepal: Mawkish
Metheringham: Coffeestall
Methwold: Highheel
Middleton St George: Strapper
Mildenhall: Redcoat
Molesworth: Sabbo
Moreton-in-Marsh: Marklane
Mount Farm: Skaterink
Newmarket: Pibrock
Newton: Parkflow
North Creake: Worker
North Killingholme: Lambec
North Luffenham: Roadhouse
Nuneaton: Mission
Oakington: Pioneer
Oakley: Finegem
Ossington: Mopal
Oulton: Azure
Pershore: Sideslip
Pocklington: Firstaid
Polebrook: Newflick
Riccall: Stonebridge
Ridgewell: Clydesdale
Rufforth: Garwood
Saltby: Scribal
Sandtoft: Queensarm
Scampton: Lefthand
Sculthorpe: Amberglow
Seighford: Monkplace
Silverstone: Rosehue
Skellingthorpe: Blackswan
Skipton-on-Swale: Briarwood
Snaith: Agnola
Spilsby: Foamrange
Stanton Harcourt: Fishtail
Steeple Morden: Tworoom
Stradishall: Halma
Stratford: Keepwell
Strubby: Fruitpick
Sturgate: Seham
Swannington: Docile
Swanton Morley: Firstlord
Swinderby: Shortjack
Syerston: Stuga
Tatenhill: Silex
Tempsford : Brasstray
Thirsk: [not listed]
Tholthorpe: Fishzone
Tilstock: Freshwater
Topcliffe: Goodfriend
Tuddenham: Singhigh
Turweston: Hotstuff
Upper Heyford: Shellike
Upwood: Hardnut
Waddington: Slangword
Warboys: Fulltime
Waterbeach: Nectar
Wattisham: Heater
Watton: Backit
Wellesbourne Mountford: Nidus
Westcott: Pepsin
Weston-on-the-Green: Mercer
West Raynham: Vertex
Wickenby: Grateful
Wigsley: Donus
Wing: Bridesmile
Winthorpe: Clickheel
Witchford: Blackmass
Wombleton: Chickenleg
Woodbridge: Everret
Woodhall Spa: Guncrew
Woolfox Lodge: Headfirst
Worksop: Davidson
Wratting Common: Heelclick
Wymeswold: Bigstep
Wyton: Beachline
It makes you wonder how they came up with some of these names, and would you have wanted to be a pilot based at Leconfield calling the attractive WAAF in the Control Tower??
Regards
Max
www.ordinarycrew.co.uk
Dedicated to the crew of Lancaster ME453 467 squadron
Dedicated to the crew of Lancaster ME453 467 squadron
- smudgersmith218
- 3 Group Researcher
- Posts: 952
- Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:58 pm
- Location: LONDON
Re: Airfield call signs
Hi Max,
Great post, and thanks for sharing. May I ask were these airfield call signs used throughout the war, for example was Downham Market always known as "Offstrike". ?
Steve
Great post, and thanks for sharing. May I ask were these airfield call signs used throughout the war, for example was Downham Market always known as "Offstrike". ?
Steve
No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron 1918-1945
The Nomads
The Nomads
- ME453
- Wing Commander
- Posts: 719
- Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:37 pm
- Location: Dorset but nearly Somerset and Wilts
- Contact:
Re: Airfield call signs
I can only reply with "I assume so" Steve, perhaps Alex may be able to confirm. I would have thought changing names could lead to confusion, and I think at times there was enough of that already!
Max
Max
www.ordinarycrew.co.uk
Dedicated to the crew of Lancaster ME453 467 squadron
Dedicated to the crew of Lancaster ME453 467 squadron
- smudgersmith218
- 3 Group Researcher
- Posts: 952
- Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:58 pm
- Location: LONDON
Re: Airfield call signs
Max,
Your right there !!!
Thanks again for the post.
Steve
Your right there !!!
Thanks again for the post.
Steve
No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron 1918-1945
The Nomads
The Nomads
-
- Flying Officer
- Posts: 210
- Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2010 7:45 am
- Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Contact:
Re: Airfield call signs
To complete the list all we need now are the Squadron call signs.
R5868
R5868
http://www.anzacsons.com
150 and 467/463 Squadrons
150 and 467/463 Squadrons
Re: Airfield call signs
As far as I know there was no change, at least I've never come across any. The mind really boggles sometimes at how they came to get some of the names for these and operations though!I can only reply with "I assume so" Steve, perhaps Alex may be able to confirm. I would have thought changing names could lead to confusion, and I think at times there was enough of that already!
Re: Airfield call signs
Max, likewise the bass baritone pilot who hurt himself in trying to jump over a fence at Tuddenham.
Dennis.
Dennis.
Re: Airfield call signs
Woebetide anyone calling a WAAF at Wombleton...
Re: Airfield call signs
Crikey, just signed up and find that my fame has spread before me Thanks for the intro Max, great to see the list getting an airing. Would you mind editing my surname out though? Ta!
- ME453
- Wing Commander
- Posts: 719
- Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:37 pm
- Location: Dorset but nearly Somerset and Wilts
- Contact:
Re: Airfield call signs
Done Richard, apologies if it caused any difficulties of any kind!
Max
Max
www.ordinarycrew.co.uk
Dedicated to the crew of Lancaster ME453 467 squadron
Dedicated to the crew of Lancaster ME453 467 squadron