Construction
As for most RAF stations, the planning for a station at Norton was done by Squadron Leader C. W. Glass, and the site selection was undertaken by Flight Lieutenant B. Roxburgh-Smith. The site was ideal as it had access by road and rail, had an ample supply of electricity, and was reasonably flat with adequate draining. However, as Norton was located more remotely than other stations located in Bulawayo and Gweru, special arrangements were made to obtain water from boreholes. Afterwards, the water would be chlorinated and stored in large tanks, providing a safe supply of water. Three hangars were built, and construction of the hangars was undertaken by Wrightson & Co., Ltd.. [1]
Operations
RAF Norton was completed and opened in late 1941, becoming the last station in Southern Rhodesia to open. It was equipped with essential facilities, which included hangars and workshops, ground training huts, administrative offices, living quarters, and sports facilities. It had a paved apron for its hangars, and the landing ground composed of a grass airstrip. On 3 September, 1941, the Central Flying School arrived at RAF Norton from Belvedere Airport. On 20 May, 1942, the Central Flying School was renamed to the No. 33 Flying Instructors' School. It provided training for experienced pilots becoming qualified instructors, where they would return to other RATG airfields to teach new trainees afterwards. The unit trained on almost-all aircraft within the scheme, which included the North American Harvard, Tiger Moth, Airspeed Oxford, and Fairchild Cornell. On 9 May, 1944, the No. 33 FIS was renamed to the Central Flying School. On 14 December, 1944, an order was given for the closure of RAF Norton as training station, and the Central Flying School was subsequently relocated to RAF Cranborne. The unit was disbanded on 9 October, 1945. [2] [1]
