Sleap Airfield (pronounced "Slape") (IATA: n/a, ICAO: EGCV) is located 10 NM (19 km; 12 mi) north of Shrewsbury,^[1] Shropshire, England.

Quick Facts Summary, Airport type ...

Sleap Airfield
A view of the airfield from the north
IATA: none ICAO: EGCV
Summary
Airport type	Private
Operator	Shropshire Aero Club Ltd
Location	Shrewsbury
Elevation AMSL	275 ft / 84 m
Coordinates	52°50′05″N 002°46′13″W
Website	http://www.shropshireaeroclub.co.uk
Map
EGCV Location in Shropshire
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 05/23 799 2,621 Asphalt 18/36 775 2,543 Asphalt
Sources: UK AIP at NATS[1]

Close

Sleap Aerodrome has a CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P641) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (Shropshire Aero Club Limited).^[2]

Sleap (pronounced "Slape") is an ex-Royal Air Force airfield, which was opened in April 1943, and used by RAF advanced flying training units. Initially it was the base for No. 81 Operational Training Unit RAF (81 OTU) within No. 93 Group RAF (93 Gp) of RAF Bomber Command equipped with Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber aircraft.

From 1 January 1944 Sleap was assigned to No.38 Group RAF (38 Gp). 81 OTU's Armstrong-Whitworth Whitleys towed Airspeed Horsa heavy troop-carrying gliders on training missions; the Horsas making practice formation landings at RAF Sleap to simulate attacks in enemy territory. Vickers Wellingtons replaced the Whitleys from November 1944 and by January 1945 the strength was 51 Wellington T.Xs, used to train Transport Command air-crew. The RAF finally released Sleap in 1964, but the location is still used as a relief airfield by nearby RAF Shawbury for Juno and Jupiter aircraft from the DHFS as part of the UKMFTS.

The following units were also here at some point:^[3]

• No. 1380 (Transport Support) Conversion Unit RAF
• No. 1665 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF
• Central Navigation and Control School RAF
• Empire Air Navigation School RAF

The Shropshire Aero Club members' bar (also a cafe open to the public) at Sleap is named Eric Lock Lounge after Bayston Hill born Flight Lieutenant Eric Lock the World War II Battle of Britain pilot who was the highest scoring British-born pilot with sixteen and a half victories during the epic battle.^[4] There is also the Wartime Aircraft Recovery Group museum open at weekends.