RAF uSWORTH

RAF Usworth / Sunderland Airport

RAF Usworth, later known as Sunderland Airport, was a significant airfield located in Usworth, just outside Washington in the City of Sunderland. The airfield was originally established during the First World War and played a key role in Britain’s early air defense efforts. During World War II, it was reactivated and expanded, becoming an important Royal Air Force station for training and operational missions, especially as a base for fighter aircraft involved in defending the North East coast from enemy attacks.

After the war, the site transitioned into a civilian airfield and was officially renamed Sunderland Airport. It served the region throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, handling private flights, pilot training, and small commercial operations. While it never reached the scale of major UK airports, it was a point of pride for the local area and contributed to regional aviation development.

By the early 1980s, however, the airport saw a decline in use, and in 1984 it was officially closed. The site was later chosen for redevelopment, and it became the location of the Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK plant, which opened in 1986 and remains one of the largest car production facilities in Europe.

Although the airport no longer exists, the memory of RAF Usworth lives on in local history. The area still holds significance for aviation enthusiasts and residents who remember its active years. A few remnants and commemorative markers in the region serve as a reminder of the site's military and civil aviation heritage.