Template:GBthumb RAF Kirton in Lindsey is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located 15 miles N of Lincoln in Lincolnshire.
The airfield was used during World War I (12/1916 to 06/1919), then reopened in May 1940 as a Fighter Station covering the NE of England during World War II. Today the facility is known as Rapier Barracks. It hosts No.1 Air Control Centre (1ACC), the RAF’s only deployable ground-based early warning and air control radar unit, parented by RAF Scampton.
12/16 to 06/19, B Flight, 33 Sqn Royal Flying Corps, a Home Defence Sqn with Bristol Fighters and Avro 504s. Site then returned to agriculture. 05/40 to 04/43, Opened as a Fighter Station covering the NE of England, many Defiant and Spitfire Sqns rested here for a short time during the Battle of Britain.
RAF Kirton In Lindsey was home of Number 71 Squadron of the RAF's Fighter Command. 71 Squadron was composed of mostly Americans and was one of the "Eagle Squadrons" of American volunteers who fought in World War II prior to the American entry into the war. 71 Squadron was assigned the squadron code XR.
The squadron arrived at the station in November 1940. By January the squadron was declared combat ready and began flying convoy escort over the North Sea. On 9 April No. 71 was moved to RAF Martlesham Heath.
Used by the United States Army Air Force Eighth Air Force. Station ID: 349, code "KL"
Beginning in June 1942, the 94th Fighter Squadron of the 1st Fighter Group at RAF Goxhill used the station for training with Lockheed P-38 Lightings. The squadron remained until October.
In October 1942, the 91st Fighter Squadron of the 81st Fighter Group used the station for training. The squadron arrived in Europe from Muroc AAF California flying Bell P-39 Airacobras. The squadron remained until December then departed for French Morocco as part of Twelfth Air Force.