On the 18 th august 1940 rnas ford hms peregrine came under attack from a formation of german stuka dive bombers. Welcome to uk airfields, this website is to show my photography of airfields, aircraft and aviation related memorials around the uk and overseas. Dunsfold airfield offers an interesting history both in terms of world war ii activities and postwar development of military aircraft that impacted greatly on the global development of military aircraft in particular. Since passing his gft for a private pilots license on the 30th june 1989 in the cessna 152 gwacb at wycombe air park the gates of opportunity opened and he has, for example, flown an aircraft in every country in western europe registered in each country.
Uk airfield guide a guide to the history of british flying. The airfield grew in importance when an original company building aircraft at the h. A full account of the part played by hampshires airfields during the second world war. The history of each airfield is described with the squadrons and aircraft based at them and the main operations flown. History of the airfield the kart club shares the airfield with the present shenington gliding club. It was originally built for the americans as a jumping off point for france during ww1, a facility that they never utilised because the war ended. Hampshire airfields in the second world war countryside books. Raf coningsby was the first airfield to receive the tornado and was the first to receive its replacement, the eurofighter typhoon. Including books on bomber command, ww2 airfields, raf pathfinders and victoria cross. More unusual visitors were decoy douglas bostons which were dispersed here during 1943 and 1944 to try and deceive the enemy. This book tells the story of the aerodrome of raf kenley from 1917 until the. A full photographic record of the airfield part of this site from conception in 1916 to final closure and sale in 2015. Fordoun airfields of britain conservation trust uk. This book does not seek to cover every airfield in britain, nor to tell the stories of the many squadrons involved.
For anyone who finds the history of the raf interesting this book by jonathan faconer tells the stories of the fieldscumairfields the squadrons used to launch. The disused former watch officeair traffic control tower is clearly visible on the airfield. The history of each airfield is described with the. Uk airfields timeline airfields of britain conservation. Many former ww2 airfield sites are within easy reach along with important aviation heritage sites.
The history is a little older circa 1915 when it was built as an air board acceptance park for the delivery by road of military aircraft. It appears that nothing was set down to enable this happening in a binding contractual. This montrosebased unit employed the airfield over two periods between november 1942 and september 1944. Military aerodrome later civilprivate airfield slg for raf peterhead. We will be adding more information over the coming months additional information and corrections most welcome. Gunn is a lecturer in history at further education college. Rather, this is a history of britains airfields set against the countrys varied landscape, examining both their makeup and the political background that saw them called into being. The story of the jolly rogers and the james horner crew 1942 1945. A pictorial history is available for purchase in the raf museum and at the national trust shop. Brief history of the airfield, construction and use including. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Ludford magna airfield focus pamphlet includes 30 photos and 2 maps and goes into depth about the history of the development of the airfield, 101 sqns operations from the airfield and its subsequent thor role.
Lee author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. It is intended to bring together the various sources of information at events, squadrons, aircraft and. The boxted airfield historical group was founded with the aims of educating, as well as promoting and preserving the history of boxted airfield, including its association with the various usaaf and raf groups that were based here during and after world war ii. Dahs dunsfold airfield history society home facebook. Since childhood he has been fascinated by all aspects of aviation history. The boxted airfield historical group was founded with the aims of educating, as well as promoting and preserving the history of boxted airfield, including its association with the various usaaf and raf. Comprehensive coverage to the development from a small grass airfield to one of our major uk raf bases. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. The war years hornchurch aerodrome historical trust.
The whole area taken over for the aerodrome before the war was what i would describe as my poaching ground. There is a pictish symbol stone, the fordoun stone also known as st. It is claimed that boulton paul extended the main 1230 runway but no proof of this appears to exist. Buy norfolk airfields in the second world war first edition by smith, graham isbn. Flying started from the site in 1941 as raf edgehill. A memorial stone is situated near the entrance to the kart circuit. The book tells the fascinating history of raf defford from when part of the croome estate was first requisitioned in 1941 through the early days of bomber command training and on to when the airfield became the secret home of the telecommunications flying unit. Raf coningsby, having started life as a wartime bomber airfield, has now evolved into the rafs foremost fighter base, responsible for the evolution of the services air defence tactics and doctrine. The airfield grew in importance when an original company. This series of books provides a fresh userfriendly look at the military airfields of. It exists to research and make public the history of what has been.
Seighford is sometimes described as the forgotten airfield and for good reason. This site is dedicated to the history of manston airfield, in kent from its first official usage back in 1916. Palladius stone, in the parish church on the outskirts of auchenblae at no726784 6. Work was started on the 9th of october 1940 and the airfield officially opened on the 4th of may 1941. Szyperski, during world war ii, upper heyford was a training base for. This document lists all units with dates and equipment and is a full. It was subject to regular, perhaps daily calibration. The kart club shares the airfield with the present shenington gliding club. The airfield version of the mirror landing sight involved a large yellow wheeled chariot which was usually jacked up on a permanent concrete base well clear of the left hand side of the. A pictorial history of steeple morden airfield 194045. The 361st fighter group in wwii p51 mustangs over germany. Several books on the wartime history of the raf refer to the detailed part played by raf hunsdon.
As part of the aviation heritage trail series, the airfields and interest in this book are concentrated in a particular. It appears that 2 fis flying instructors school based at raf montrose had a flight of airspeed oxfords based here. A relatively typical satellite built in the middle years of world war two, the main flying use of fordoun during this period was to support airspeed oxfords of no 2 flying instructors school. We hope to build a record of just some of those people that are a significant part of the history of the aerodrome. A series of books on aviation history during the second world war. This book tells the story of the aerodrome of raf kenley from 1917 until the end of 1940. A pictorial history of steeple morden airfield 194045 wells, ken on.
The aim of the dunsfold airfield history society dahs is to preserve those features of dunsfold airfield that have significant historic or architectural interest, in order to retain for posterity. Lots of historical information in the appendices but the most important feature of this book is the interviews with the people who were present during this incredible. The battle of britain was in full swing and although this airfield was a training. It is intended to bring together the various sources of information at events, squadrons, aircraft and personnel that have been involved in the site. Dunsfold airfield past and future history society preserves. After the raf closed the airfield in 1947 it was later taken over by boultan paul for advanced aircraft development. Initially wellington bombers used the airfield for flying practice, but occasionally supplying aircraft and crew for operational bombing raids. This is described below in the transcript of alan bonsers excellent talk. It continued as a military airfield for a while before becoming a base for commercial flying and farm land. Contributors include a number of published aviationrelated authors as well as enthusiastic argl. Egno is located in warton village on the fylde in lancashire, england. Many former ww2 airfield sites are within easy reach along with. Here is a bit of history of upper heyford that i got from the mighty 8th museum. Books and journals otter, p, yorkshire airfields in the second world war, 1998, 5865 otter, p, yorkshire airfields in the second world war, 1998, 5865 other am drg 238045, 1945 legal this monument is scheduled under the ancient monuments and archaeological areas act 1979 as amended as it appears to the secretary of state to be of.
The airfield was used extensively during the second world war, being opened in july 1942 and was immediately occupied by no. Szyperski, during world war ii, upper heyford was a training base for the raf and no american units were stationed there permanently. Aviation history, county history, airfields and bomber command from ww2. The following organisations are either based at, use andor have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield as at 010720. Watch office with ops room for bomber satellite stations 734541, 7941. Raf wyton airfield a full photographic record of the airfield part of this site from conception in 1916 to final closure and sale in 2015. Apr 01, 2017 dunsfold was second home to a lot of people in the last 70 years. Hampshire airfields in the second world war countryside. It had four grass landing strips of varying lengths, they ranged between 1100 yards to 1450 yards. Dunsfold airfield offers an interesting history both in terms of world war ii activities and postwar development of military aircraft that impacted greatly on the global development of military aircraft in. Raf caistor was a grasssurfaced airfield and served its time during the war as a relief landing ground rlg for a number of stations in the area. This is described below in the transcript of alan bonsers excellent talk given in 2008 on the history of the desford airfield.
Churchills most secret airfield oconnor, bernard on. Initially wellington bombers used the airfield for flying. Witness the daring exploits and dangerous challenges that form the story of flight in this beautifully illustrated book, filled with rare photographs and historical documents. For mail order please get in touch using our contact dahg form. Price new from used from hardcover, january 1, 1989 please retry. This being part of the estate of nearby hunsdon house. Montford bridge airfields of britain conservation trust uk. This book details many of these paranormal encounters, gives a history of the airfield and the units based there and a plan of the airfield during the wartime. Ludford magna airfield focus pamphlet includes 30 photos and 2 maps and goes into depth about the history of the development of the airfield, 101 sqns. An airfield history hardcover january 1, 1989 by col. World war ii airfield defences at raf church fenton. After the raf closed the airfield in 1947 it was later taken over by boultan paul for advanced aircraft development purposes. Mar 24, 2017 the aim of the dunsfold airfield history society dahs is to preserve those features of dunsfold airfield that have significant historic or architectural interest, in order to retain for posterity the unique contribution of the airfield to our national aerospace heritage. Jun 23, 2009 steeped in history for more than 85 years, north weald airfield is an ideal place to start your aviation heritage tour.
Dunsfold airfield history society limited dahs is a notforprofit society. The caterpillar neovia site was a really important airfield from 1935 to 1953 and most particularly during world war 2. Dunsfold was second home to a lot of people in the last 70 years. Steeped in history for more than 85 years, north weald airfield is an ideal place to start your aviation heritage tour. The airfield version of the mirror landing sight involved a large yellow wheeled chariot which was usually jacked up on a permanent concrete base well clear of the left hand side of the runway. King henry viii had the original building, that was built by edward vii enlarged. The airfield is still partly used by microlights and motor gliders with three runways in. Books multiple airfields history of manston airfield. Since its construction in 1942, dunsfold aerodrome has always been cloaked in.
Raf seighford is a former royal air force station located 3. Hunsdon airfield was built on a natural plateau about 240 feet above sea level. The definitive history of the raf airfield fro 1917 to 1940. Churchills most secret airfield first edition by bernard oconnor isbn.
The history of each airfield, squadrons, aircraft and main operations. His job was to man the radio of a gun pit on the edge of the airfield. Written in 1982, robert coles book on the history of beaulieu airfield was the first authoritative book to document the history of the 1910 new forest school of. Our museum is open to the public on various dates during the year. The site was opened as a satelliterelief landing ground for raf hixon, 7. Photos, maps, personal memories and local books of north weald airfield francis frith the uks leading publisher of local photographs since 1860.
Fearn airfield memories of the aerodrome from dougald mcangus. Chronology of test pilots dunsfold airfield history society. Against that background, the dunsfold airfield history society dahs has recently been formed. Since 1990, he has been a professional indexer of books and journals in history mainly. The history of hornchurch aerodrome through the war years 19391945. Uk airfield guide a guide to the history of british. Fred and vera hitching longtime residents of hunsdon have written an excellent history which focuses on the impact of the airfield on the village the royal air force at hunsdon 19411945, published by the hunsdon local history and preservation society, 1990. History of aerodrome dunsfold airfield history society.
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