Description:This postcard reproduction of a painting shows several Vickers Wellington Mk III bomber aircraft with some being re-fuelled at No. 30, O.T.U. (No. 30, Operational Training Unit), RAF Hixon. They are thought to be preparing for a leaflet dropping ("Nickelling") sortie over France.
No. 30 O.T.U. was used as a training environment for Bomber aircrews flying Vickers Wellington bombers, also known as “Wellies”, and for several other types of aircraft that used the facilities at the airbase.
RAF Hixon opened in 1942 as a base for Bomber Command for the Second World War. The Station was near to the village of Hixon and originally had three runways, hangers, a control tower and other buildings and accommodation for around 2900. After the war the airbase was used for storage of surplus RAF vehicles and later the site became an industrial estate.
This image was published by Acorn Publications, Haywood Studio, Wolseley Bridge, Stafford.