In its early years, the British V Bomber force relied on the concept of aircraft dispersal to escape the effects of an enemy attack on their main bases. There were 26 such bases in the late 1950s, in addition to the ten main bases - RAF Coningsby, RAF Cottesmore, RAF Finningley, RAF Gaydon, RAF Honington, RAF Marham, RAF Scampton, RAF Waddington, RAF Wittering (HQ RAF Bomber Command) and RAF Wyton - a total of 36 bases available for the V Bomber force.

Dispersal bases:

Scotland

• Prestwick
• RAF Machrihanish
• RAF Kinloss
• RNAS Lossiemouth (later transferred to RAF)
• RAF Leuchars

Northern Ireland

• RAF Ballykelly

England

• RAE Bedford
• A&AEE Boscombe Down
• RAF Bruntingthorpe
• RAF Burtonwood
• RAF Cranwell
• RAF Coltishall
• RAF Elvington
• Filton
• RAF Leconfield
• RAF Leeming
• RAF Lyneham
• RAF Manston
• RAF Middleton St. George
• RRE Pershore (Royal Radar Establishment)
• RAF St Mawgan
• Tarrant Rushton
• RAF Wattisham
• RNAS Yeovilton

Wales

• RNAS Brawdy (later transferred to RAF)
• RAF Llanbedr
• RAF Valley

References

• Wynn, Humphrey - RAF Strategic Nuclear Deterrent Forces, their Origins, Roles and Deployment 1946-69 - HMSO London - 1994 - ISBN 0-11-772833-0 - p.449

See also

• List of UK Thor missile bases
• List of RAF stations