Originally a civil airfield opened in the 1930s, the site was taken over by the royal air force. Since childhood he has been fascinated by all aspects of aviation history. Dec 19, 2015 in the perfect aerodrome, a history of raf chivenor 19321995, david watkins records many aspects of the airfield s long and interesting history from its early days as a grass aerodrome in the 1930, to its perilous antisubmarine operations during the second world war, through its mundane postwar role of antiaircraft duties and ferrying. Notam b209815 says wef 7 jan 2016, chivenor atz removed and icao designator withdrawn. Originally a civil airfield opened in the 1930s, the site was taken over by the. It appears that the original heanton court chivenor farm north devon aerodrome site was absorbed within the area of chivenor military aerodrome established in 1940. At war and peace is the story of kents garden airfield, so called because of its location on an escarpment overlooking hythe and romney marsh. Maps today show a village west of barnstaple called heaton punchard pretty much adjacent to raf chivenor. A three runway airfield and all facilities were built for the use of coastal command and opened in november 1940.
Along with combat reports, operations record books can help to tell a servicemans story. A history of raf chivenor 19321995, david watkins records many aspects of the airfield s long and interesting history from its early days as a grass aerodrome in the 1930s, to its perilous antisubmarine operations during the second world war, through its mundane postwar role of. The military base next to the river taw has been a part of north devon life for over 70 years and many locals have fond memories of the base. Aviation history and nostalgia why did raf chivenor close im just wondering if anyone could shed some light onto why raf chivenor closed in the. 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.
David watkins is a former member of the raf and a keen aviation historian. However, by february 1948 a rig had been erected at chivenor for. The 1st of september 2019 is the wartime memories projects 20th birthday. A mate of mine saw a ghost in the control tower at sleap, shropshire. One of the most popular collections in our care is the raf chivenor collection. Dec, 2010 journalist and author chris wadsworth collaborates with matt johnson, manager and historian at the southwest florida museum of history, to take readers on a trip back in time, as the proud history of buckingham army air field comes alive through vivid photographs and the stories of the soldiers and civilians who once called buckingham home.
Rm chivenor saved as defence secretary says it will remain a. This is what made people think uk was preparing for war last night. Betty has lived part of each year with one of her three aunts, rotating among them every few months. Barnstaple was left stunned for two nights after huge military planes flew. 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. Originally a civil airfield opened in the 1930s, the site was taken over by the royal air force raf in may 1940 for use as a coastal command station, and was known as raf chivenor. Also stationed at the aerodrome was a desoutter which mr. In this book, david watkins illustrates many aspects of the airfield s long and interesting history, from the early days as a grass aerodrome in the 1930s, through perilous antisubmarine operations during the second world war, the mundane postwar role of antiaircraft duties and ferrying, to the. Show off your favorite photos and videos to the world, securely and privately show content to your friends and family, or blog the photos and videos you take with a cameraphone. Raf chivenor britain in old photographs by watkins david. A history of raf chivenor 19321995, david watkins records many aspects of the airfield s long and interesting history from its early days as a grass aerodrome in the 1930s, to its perilous antisubmarine operations during the second world war, through its. Egdc was a royal air force station located on the northern shore of the river taw estuary, on the north coast of devon, england. History of the airfield raf abingdon, situated in the heart of oxfordshire just 5 miles away from oxford and 1 mile west of abingdon town, opened under the command of wing commander roberts on 1 september 1932. Jan 01, 1999 airfield, by jeanette ingold takes place in muddy springs, texas during times of the depression.
Raf chivenor, situated in north devon, closed as an operational station in october 1995. Consult our royal air force operations guide for detailed advice. Devon and cornwall airfields in the second world war british airfields in the second world war graham smith on. History of the airfield abingdon air and country show. Chivenor is a royal marine base used by 22 sqn a flt raf as a search and rescue station, the airfield is also in use by 624 gliding squadron to fly air cadets at weekends. Raf chivenor britain in old photographs by david watkins and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Sep 18, 2011 flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. After world war ii, the station was largely used for training, particularly weapons training. Civil later military aerodrome previously also known as barnstaple north devon aerodrome, chivenor farm and heanton. Raf chivenor was near barnstaple in north devon, originally a civil airfield it was taken over by the raf in may 1940 for use as a coastal command station. A publicity item provided by my good friend maurice wickstead appears to confirm these records. Chivenor including barnstaple airfields of britain. This place is situated in devon county, south west, england, united kingdom, its geographical coordinates are 51 5 0 north, 4 9 0 west and its original name with diacritics is chivenor.
Journal 11 sir frank cooper on air force policy in. Raf chivenor in the second world war 19391945 the wartime. It is home to 3 regiment army air corps and 4 regiment army air corps. Each airfield is described with a short history, firstperson accounts, and information on airfield buildings, illustrated with photographs and maps, making this book a complete and unique singlevolume illustrated reference book covering all of the rafs frontline airfields in the uk during world war 2. An airfield born out of necessity during the first world war, many recordbreaking flights were conducted at lympne following 1918. If you would like to send us a present, a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. Originally a civil airfield opened in the 1930s, the royal air force took over the site in may of 1940 for use as a coastal command station, calling it raf chivenor. This site is dedicated to the history of manston airfield, in kent from its first official usage back in 1916.
Airfield publications a specialist publisher in aviation. Try looking in one of those airfield ghost books by bruce halpenny or similar name. You need to know which squadron a serviceman or woman served with to locate these records. In february 1940 the air ministry constructed an aerodrome on the site of chivenor farm near a civilian airfield. A history of raf chivenor 19321995, david watkins records many aspects of the airfields long and interesting historyfrom its early days as a grass aerodrome in the 1930s, to its perilous antisubmarine operations during the second world war, through its. Feb 22, 20 raf chivenor, was, until recently a fairly large military airfield, home to the twu, flying hunters and hawks, as well as other military types operating from there, including sar wessex and sea king helicopters. The airfield would continue in raf use until 1995 when it was transferred to the royal marines and closed to flying with the exception of sar units and the 624 volunteer gliding squadron which is still the situation today 2008. Raf chivenor was near barnstaple in north devon, originally a civil airfield it was taken over by the raf in. Apr 14, 2020 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. During ww2, it was a coastal command airfield, under 19 group, and was opened in 1940. Eguw is the biggest centralised operational army airfield in the uk, located next to the small village of wattisham in suffolk, england. Wattisham airfield wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. During the 1960s, one of the rafs tactical weapons units twu.
Our collection covers the history of chivenor as an aerodrome and airport continue reading the raf chivenor collection. The following organisations are either based at, use andor have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield as at 01092011. Raf chivenor in north devon closed as an operational station in october 1995. The information is intended for pc simulator navigation or reference. Air ministry constructed an aerodrome on the site of chivenor farm near a civilian airfield. This fascinating book was compiled with the support of official archives, respected historians and former raf personnel, including four ex. Devon and cornwall airfields in the second world war british. Both these pictures were kindly supplied by maurice j wickstead. Royal marines barracks chivenor is a british military base used primarily by 3 commando.
1175 743 1097 1432 1240 942 1266 730 1284 771 797 1377 1045 1285 1036 28 808 941 1018 314 358 1607 916 1036 433 621 844 10 605 949 482 1442 1455 165 884