Cluntoe airfield history book

It was used as a combat crew replacement centre for the training of crews, and was also home to the 311th ferrying squadron. History of aerodrome dunsfold airfield history society. Pages 117 a short history of each airfield in potted form. The airfield is now the site of the annual kent county show, but two memorials stand as poignant reminders of the epic events that transpired in this otherwise sleepy corner of britain. This site is dedicated to the history of manston airfield, in kent from its first official usage back in 1916. He was stationed at cluntoe airfield in ardboe, co tyrone, and, up until then, relations between the soldiers and local were pleasant and. The airfield was closed in 1920 and the land sold back to a local farmer. Official aerial photograph of long kesh airfield, 28 july 1942. It is an a4 format book and some of the photos are not very well produced at all. Manchester airport sutton s photographic history of.

This history of cluntoe airfield consists of just over 200 pages. In 1926, the war department repurchased the land and reopened the airfield, which was used generally as a training base, being home to a number of squadrons until 1957. In 1933, beatty hangs out at the airport where her pilot father flies mail. It really is a most fascinating period in the 19th century, and has continued ever since. The squadron had mixed feelings about this move as raf newton was a. Airfield publications publish books on uk airfields, recent publications include raf kirton in lindsey, burtonwood, woodvale and 611 west lancashire squadron, royal auxiliary air force, raf brampton and raf waterbeach. Blyton airfield various sections of the station continued to be soldoff over the following years, until 1963 when the entire airfield had been sold. The gliders involved in the most classic cugc adventures, such as the olympia that was ditched in the sea twice. Before the aerodrome dunsfold airfield history society. Amenities like swimming, hiking, mountain biking, camping, lodging, horseback riding.

Perhaps the single biggest personal discovery i made in researching this book concerns the history of ballooning in the uk. According to the book front cover, the book purports to be an illustrated history of the usaf twin base complex in east anglia. These books tell the personal stories of men from northern ireland and what they endured. Over the coming years as the airfield fell in to disrepair, the buildings began to disappear and even the hangars were demolished. The largest and best equipped airfields were cluntoe, toome. Initially wellington bombers used the airfield for flying practice, but occasionally supplying aircraft and crew for operational bombing raids. Moors exhaustively researched book is the first to tell the full story of the part detling played in the defence of the realm and the history of flight. 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. The airfield, also known by its sponsored name as the hollingsworth group international airfield, is a football stadium in broughton, flintshire in wales.

Flying started from the site in 1941 as raf edgehill. Ardboe was finally on a map even if it was hitlers. Since childhood he has been fascinated by all aspects of aviation history. In 2014, the grass surface was replaced with a 3g synthetic pitch. He was stationed at cluntoe airfield in ardboe, co tyrone, and, up until then, relations between the soldiers and local were pleasant and harmonious. 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. Cramps book on british midland mentions the 748 demonstrator paying a visit.

Raf cluntoe is a former royal air force airfield located 1 mile 1. The original structure has the usual blast walls and ventilation system but also appears to have many window as part of the original design. The runways have been used to build industrial units but you can still make out odd bits of airfield structure here and there. Learn the history of stapleford airfield, home of stapleford flight centre, london, england. Traditionally the november meeting is a members evening when members of the society, rather than a guest speaker, make a. By 1943, over 3,500 american troops were stationed there and the local economy was booming because of it. November 2007 meeting report keyworth local history society. The mcaully flying group have operated from little snoring for over 50 years, and has excellent facilities at the airfield, comprising a private hangar and a large. Some of the nations most famous fighter pilots have also served there, its history is rich with heritage and character. United states army air force bomber crew at cluntoe airfield. Meet the authors at iwm duxford at 1100 on saturday 4 april 2020 for a book signing event. Cluntoe airfields of britain conservation trust uk. Dear all i have been looking at the ops block at cluntoe co.

Castle archdale into the history books within months of its opening. Theres a history of the various airfields in northern ireland in a book called action stations by david j smith 1983. Originally planned as an raf bomber otu, construction started 1240 but not completed until 0742. Airfield publications a specialist publisher in aviation. The breadth of research published is immense, with major series having covered flying boat bases, fleet air arm stations, cold war fighter stations, world war two operational training unit organisations. Cluntoe was built for the raf in 194042, before being handed obver to the eighth air force. Discovering our aviation history, and double listings. The definitive history of the raf airfield fro 1917 to 1940. The history of manston airfield site is dedicated to the history of manston airfield, in kent from its first official usage back in 1916 it is intended to bring together the various sources of information at events, squadrons, aircraft and personnel that have been involved in the site. The impact of this has been long lasting, changing the area forever. 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. The first oc raf elsham wolds was gc h a constantine who arrived at the airfield on the 29th june 1941 and assumed command. A 2016 aerial view looking south at the site of fontana airfield showed no trace remaining of the airport yet another piece of aviation history covered by americas seemingly insatiable appetite for suburban housing. Cluntoe was known by the united states 8th air force as aaf 238 combat crew replacement centre b.

A memorial stone is situated near the entrance to the kart circuit. Brockworth airfield the black buildings at the far end gloucester end were the gloster flight department. The gi was stationed at cluntoe airfield in ardboe, co tyrone, and, up until then, relations between the soldiers and local people were good. Well maintain traditional airport information like latlong, elevation, ownership and usage, and frequencies. Manchester airport suttons photographic history of. We built this site to share information about airfields not generally available to the public. Dunsfold site timeline 1942 dunsfold aerdrome established for use by royal canadian air force. Ardboe ardboe business park raf cluntoe usaaf station 238 county. Airfield by jeanette ingold meet your next favorite book. Well also take advantage of galen hanselmans calculations for relative hazard index rhi for each airfield and present an rhi for each runway and approach.

Church fenton church lawford church stanton cleave cluntoe clyffe pypard cocos. County tyrone part 1 the second world war in northern ireland. The airfield officially opened in august 1938 and within days had its first residents, no. Some very interesting detail and a number of photographs of the airfield as it looked in the past as well as. I read that it was quite wet, and positioning argonauts left large ruts. From the book british military airfields by david j. For this reason an airfield building programme was commenced in northern ireland. Usaaf station 238 cluntoe airfield was a combat crew replacement centre which trained b17 and b 24 pilots to fly in the cloudy skies over europe. Having lived close to dunsfold airfield as a boy and young man, 1953 to 1965, this wonderful record of its beginning imparts a wealth of knowledge and history hitherto unknown to only those working within the airfield.

An article about the creation of a wwii airfield in ardboe co tyrone. County tyrone part 1 second world war in northern ireland. The royal air force airfields at limavady, eglinton, cluntoe and castle. The war department however retained the hangars which were leased to local businesses. Welcome to uk airfields, this website is to show my photography of airfields, aircraft and aviation related memorials around the uk and overseas. A pictorial history of the royal ulster constabulary which includes some. Operations room 1558640 at cluntoe airfield research group. The marshall airfield at teversham is also included in this entry.

Military raf aerodrome later royal naval air station 1948 books of hms gannet. It is intended to bring together the various sources of information at events, squadrons, aircraft and personnel that have been involved in the site. Originally opened as a satellite airfield as raf ingham, it became a substation on 3 jul. The furthest group of buildings were the experimental fight shed, while the others were the flight sheds where new aircraft were prepared for delivery to the raf and aircraft for cat4 repairs were dealt with. Manchester airport sutton s photographic history of aviation scholefield, r. Report derelict rafusaaf cluntoe airfield, ardboe ni 25108. It was originally supposed to be an operational training unit for bombers and site construction began in 1940 making it one of the earlier airfields of the time. Starting in 1935, cugc members flew a variety of interesting gliders and even designed and built their own granta glider. One of the saddest cases any jury could be called upon to. Trip to toome, ballymena in august ireland reaching out. Find out when dig ww2 with dan snow is on tv, including series 1episode 3. In 1940 officials had begun to chalk out boundaries. Raf elsham wolds opened as a heavy bomber station as part of 1 group bomber command in mid june 1941 and 103 squadron moved to their new base soon after with its vickers wellington bombers.

Today, privately owned, set a few miles from the beautiful north norfolk coast and surrounded by uncontrolled airspace, little snoring airfield is an aviators paradise made manifest. Our history stapleford flight centre london england. Approx 24 pages, photos, history, plans, softback with stapled binding. The role of the aas was to train armament officers, air gunners and air bombers so extensive use was made of the nearby bombing ranges on the coast. The site of fontana airport is located southeast of. Tyrone and it has left me more than a little confused. If youre interested in recreational aviation and backcountry flying, youve come to the right place. Also, that the common star from the west was to leave the lic ndb, hope for a cloud break, and follow the a38. The kart club shares the airfield with the present shenington gliding club.