RAF Finningley Station Plaque

Another very fine plaque that formed part of a small collection we have purchased, that we understand were displayed in a now defunct service club. Royal Air Force Finningley was a Royal Flying Corps and subsequently a Royal Air Force station, based at Brancroft Farm, South Yorkshire in 1916. It was the base of 33 Squadron flying BE.2C that were used to intercept Zeppelin bombers approaching Yorkshire cities from the East Coast. Post war the station was home to Heyford bombers whilst In WWII Finningley the played a vital part in finishing crews via its Operational Training Unit (OTU) for the bombing role. Aircraft operated included Hampdens, Ansons, Manchester's and Wellingtons. The station remined operational post war flying the Mosquito and the Meteor but in 1955 Finningley became home to the 'V' Bombers, the Avro Vulcans, Handley Page Victors and Vickers Valliants. Finningley also maintained its nuclear weapon storage facility for many years. In 1994 the Ministry of Defence announced the imminent closure of RAF Finningley as part of the Front Line First defence cuts. and the station finally closed in 1996. Finningley is also remembered as the home of XH558, the first Vulcan B.2 to enter service in 1960, returning its spiritual home half a century later. Today this historic airframe is grounded at Doncaster Sheffield Airport but its future seems uncertain.

The plaque features Finningley crest, that is surmounted by a Queens Crown. The crest is hand painted and features a Yorkshire Rose on top of a sprig of oak. The rose represents Yorkshire and the oak Nottinghamshire, as the base straddled the border between the two counties at its southern end. Below is the Latin motto 'Usque Ad Coelum Fines' that translates 'Extending As Far As The Sky'. The crest was authorised by King George VI in September 1948. It is mounted on an oak shield and to the reverse is a recessed brass wall hanger and embossed 'Made in Gt Britain'. The shield measures 10" x 7" (25 cm x 17.5 cm) We believe this plaque dates from the Cold War period. Other than minor age related wear it remains in fine original display condition and a fine reminder of Finningley's illustrious history.