RAF Silverstone

RAF Silverstone
Silverstone, Northamptonshire in England
RAF Silverstone in 1945.
RAF Silverstone is located in Northamptonshire
RAF Silverstone
RAF Silverstone
Shown within Northamptonshire
RAF Silverstone is located in the United Kingdom
RAF Silverstone
RAF Silverstone
RAF Silverstone (the United Kingdom)
Coordinates52°04′19″N 001°00′44″W / 52.07194°N 1.01222°W / 52.07194; -1.01222
TypeRoyal Air Force station
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byRAF Bomber Command
Site history
Built1942 (1942)
In use1943-1947 (1947)
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Elevation156 metres (512 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
02/20 1,672 metres (5,486 ft) Asphalt
06/24 1,170 metres (3,839 ft) Asphalt
14/32 1,087 metres (3,566 ft) Asphalt

Royal Air Force Silverstone or more simply RAF Silverstone is a former Royal Air Force (RAF) station, built during the Second World War, and used by the RAF from 1943 until 1947. It straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border 10 miles (16 km) south west of Northampton, and is named after the nearby village of Silverstone.

In 1948 the Royal Automobile Club hosted the first British Grand Prix at this location, and the site is now a racing circuit known simply as 'Silverstone'.