Predannack Airfield

Last updated

RNAS Predannack
Predannack Airfield
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg
Part of RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)
Mullion, Cornwall
The control tower at Predannack Airfield - geograph.org.uk - 2060224.jpg
Predannack Airfield control tower
Cornwall UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
EGDO
Location in Cornwall
Coordinates 49°59′57″N005°13′50″W / 49.99917°N 5.23056°W / 49.99917; -5.23056 Coordinates: 49°59′57″N005°13′50″W / 49.99917°N 5.23056°W / 49.99917; -5.23056
TypeSatellite Airfield
Site information
Owner Ministry of Defence
Operator Royal Air Force (1940-1958)
Royal Navy (1958-present)
Site history
Built1940 (1940)–1
In use1941–present
Airfield information
Identifiers ICAO: EGDO
Elevation90 metres (295 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
18/361,405 metres (4,610 ft)  Asphalt
13/31884 metres (2,900 ft) Asphalt
09/271,309 metres (4,295 ft) Asphalt
05/231,821 metres (5,974 ft) Asphalt
Tower callsign: Predannack Tower
Radio Freq: 122.10 (MHz)

Predannack Airfield( ICAO : EGDO) is an aerodrome near Mullion on The Lizard peninsula of Cornwall in the United Kingdom. The runways are operated by the Royal Navy and today it is a satellite airfield and relief landing ground for nearby RNAS Culdrose.

Contents

RAF Predannack

Second World War

Development

The capitulation of France in June 1940 gave impetus to the building of numerous airfields across South West England which was now vulnerable to attack by the Luftwaffe . RAF Predannack was opened in May 1941 as a satellite for RAF Portreath. Accommodation was dispersed over a wide area, with officers accommodated in the Mullion Cove and Polurrian Hotels. The number of personnel reached peak strength of 3,600 by 1944.

Operations

The first squadron to arrive was 247 Squadron with Hawker Hurricanes, specialising in night defence of the South West's towns and ports. The night fighting element was later augmented by 1457 Flight flying Douglas Havoc aircraft with its unsuccessful Turbinlite searchlight tactics. However, the arrival of 600 Squadron with Bristol Beaufighters equipped with Airborne Interception radar produced better results. Ground-controlled interception (GCI) in the area was covered by RAF Treleaver radar station.

The Luftwaffe attacked Predannack several times. The first attack on the night of 12 October 1941 followed a Beaufighter on approach and shot up the airfield. Defence soon gave way to offensive operations; fighter sweeps and intruder operations were undertaken over France. The airfield's southerly location made it also suitable for anti-shipping strikes over the Bay of Biscay. Westland Whirlwind and Beaufighter squadrons mounted successful patrols, followed later by a number of de Havilland Mosquito squadrons.

Predannack's location made it suitable for emergency landings, particularly with the growth of the bomber offensive against mainland Europe. Many RAF Bomber Command and US Eighth Air Force aircraft found haven at the base. As a result, the RAF agreed to extend the runways in 1943 for larger aircraft, including Vickers Wellington and Consolidated Liberator aircraft for anti-submarine warfare. [1] This enabled Predannack to be a staging and departure point for aircraft en route to the North African Campaign. Late in 1942 some of the 67th TCG's Douglas C-47 Skytrains and the 81st Fighter Group's Bell P-39 Airacobras refuelled here before flying around the Iberian Peninsula.

In preparation for Operation Overlord, Nos 1 and 165 Squadrons formed a wing of Supermarine Spitfire IXs at Predannack to prevent Luftwaffe aircraft from attacking Allied shipping. As the invasion convoy around Falmouth assembled, the Spitfires gave constant fighter cover. 179 Squadron equipped with Wellingtons and the Czechoslovak-crewed 311 Squadron equipped with Liberators undertook anti-submarine patrols over the Bay of Biscay and approaches to the English Channel. [2] At its peak about 3,600 crew and support staff were at Predannack. [1]

As the war became less intense in Predannack's area of operations, the station saw fighter squadrons arrive for rest and re-equipment. On VE Day no flying units were present, but two Mosquito squadrons returned. Predannack opened its gates to the public when on 15 September 1945 4,000 visitors arrived for the Battle of Britain air display.

Second World War monument at Predannack main gate, April 2007 Plaque Predannack.png
Second World War monument at Predannack main gate, April 2007

A plaque at the entrance, commemorating those who served at RAF Predannack during the Second World War was unveiled on 11 June 2002. It reads: "Like a breath of wind gone in a fleeting second only the memories now remain". [3]

Post-war

151 Squadron with its Mosquito XXXs continued flying from Predannack until April 1946, [4] and the following month the airfield closed being reduced to care and maintenance.

After a period of experimental use by Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd under the supervision of Barnes Wallis from 1951 to September 1957, the base was taken over by the Royal Navy on 15 December 1958. [3] The airfield now operates as a satellite airfield for nearby RNAS Culdrose, to handle intensive helicopter operations and as a relief landing ground. There is also a small arms range on the site and the RN Fire Fighting School moved here in 1971. [3]

Current use

Wessex HAS.3 at Predannack Fire School Wessex XP137 711DD.JPG
Wessex HAS.3 at Predannack Fire School

Predannack Airfield is routinely used for training purposes by helicopters from the Royal Navy. RNAS Culdrose is the Aerodrome Operator and responsible for actively managing and running the satellite airfield. [5]

It is also the practise base of Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations, which has a number of dummy aircraft for fire extinguishing practise, and a number of retired airframes for aircraft crash rescue practise, including a Westland Wessex, an English Electric Canberra and two Hawker Siddeley Harriers.

626 Volunteer Gliding Squadron unit operated by the RAF Air Cadets are also a lodger unit based at Predannack Airfield [1] The airfield is also used by Goonhilly Model Flying Club (with MoD permission) and there has been hobby model flying on the field since the 1950s. The site is currently used by the international disaster relief agency Shelterbox as part of its Academy for Disaster Relief. [1]

Jollytown

Two semi-detached cottages, part of the St Just Estate, are in an isolated position on the west side of the airfield and can be reached only by the main airfield gate and the airfield perimeter road. The painter and etcher Bryan Ingham occupied the western cottage from 1958 until his death in 1997.

Scientific interest

On the west side of the spectacular Lizard Peninsula, parts of the base away from the operational areas are in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its combination of botany (including orchids, Cornish heath, magic mushroom), zoology (including butterflies, and snakes notably the venomous common adder) and geology (bastite and serpentinite). [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Tangmere</span> Former Royal Air Force station in West Sussex, England

Royal Air Force Tangmere or more simply RAF Tangmere is a former Royal Air Force station located in Tangmere, England, famous for its role in the Battle of Britain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Ballyhalbert</span> Former Royal Air Force station in Northern Ireland

Royal Air Force Ballyhalbert or more simply RAF Ballyhalbert is a former Royal Air Force station at Ballyhalbert on the Ards Peninsula, County Down, Northern Ireland

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Brawdy</span> Former Royal Air Force station in Pembrokeshire, Wales

RAF Brawdy is a former Royal Air Force satellite station located 6.3 miles (10.1 km) east of St Davids, Pembrokeshire and 9.8 miles (15.8 km) south west of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It was operational between 1944 and 1992, being used by both the Royal Air Force, 1944 - 1946 and 1971 - 1992 and the Royal Navy, 1946 - 1971, before the site was turned over to the British Army and renamed Cawdor Barracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)</span> Royal Naval Air Station in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom

Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose is a Royal Navy airbase near Helston on the Lizard Peninsula of Cornwall UK, and is one of the largest helicopter bases in Europe. Its main role is serving the Fleet Air Arm's front line AgustaWestland Merlin helicopter squadrons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 311 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF was a Czechoslovak-manned bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. It was the RAF's only Czechoslovak-manned medium and heavy bomber squadron. It suffered the heaviest losses of any Czechoslovak formation in the RAF. In the Second World War 511 Czechoslovaks serving in Allied air forces were killed. Of these 273 (53%) died while serving with 311 Squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron</span> Military unit

406 "City of Saskatoon" Maritime Operational Training Squadron is a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) unit of the Canadian Armed Forces. Based at 12 Wing Shearwater since 1972, it is responsible for crew training on the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone since summer of 2016. The squadron was formed during World War II as part of RAF Fighter Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF St Eval</span> Former RAF base in Cornwall, England

Royal Air Force St. Eval or RAF St. Eval was a Royal Air Force station for the RAF Coastal Command, southwest of Padstow in Cornwall, England, UK. St Eval's primary role was to provide anti-submarine and anti-shipping patrols off the south west coast. Aircraft from the airfield were also used for photographic reconnaissance missions, meteorological flights, convoy patrols, air-sea rescue missions and protection of the airfield from the Luftwaffe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 89 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 89 Squadron was a Royal Air Force squadron, mainly active in the fighter role during its existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AAC Middle Wallop</span> Military airfield in Hampshire, England

Army Aviation Centre (AAC) Middle Wallop is a British Army airfield located near the Hampshire village of Middle Wallop, used for Army Air Corps training. The base hosts 2 (Training) Regiment AAC and 7 (Training) Regiment AAC under the umbrella of the Army Aviation Centre. 2 (Training) Regiment performs ground training; 7 (Training) Regiment trains aircrew on AAC aircraft after they complete basic training at RAF Shawbury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 307 Polish Night Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

No. 307 (Polish) Squadron, also known as No. 307 Squadron was one of several Polish squadrons in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. It was formed as part of an agreement between the Polish Government in Exile and the United Kingdom in 1940. It was the only Polish night fighter squadron in RAF service. No. 307 Squadron was named after the Polish city of Lwów, and was nicknamed "Eagle Owls".

RNAS Dale (HMS <i>Goldcrest</i>) Former Royal Naval Air Station in Pembrokeshire, Wales

Royal Naval Air Station Dale is a former Royal Naval Air Station, located 10 miles (16 km) South West of Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It was operational between 1942 and 1948, being used by both the Royal Air Force, 1942 - 1943 and the Royal Navy, 1943 - 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Thorney Island</span>

Royal Air Force Thorney Island or more simply RAF Thorney Island is a former Royal Air Force station located on Thorney Island, West Sussex, England, 6.6 miles (10.6 km) west of Chichester and 7.1 miles (11.4 km) east of Portsmouth, Hampshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 604 Squadron RAF</span> Military unit

No. 604 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force noted for its pioneering role the development of radar-controlled night-fighter operations. The squadron was established in March 1930 at RAF Hendon as a day-bomber squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. In July 1934, the squadron transitioned to two-seat fighters. Shortly after the commencement of World War II in 1939, the squadron was reassigned to a night-fighter role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 256 Squadron RAF</span> Former flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 256 Squadron RAF was a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force which operated during the First and Second World Wars. Initially equipped with Dh6 and Kangaroo aircraft, it operated Defiant Mk IIs, Beaufighters, and Mosquitoes in the Second World War.

No. 248 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force, active immediately after World War I, and again during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 157 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 157 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron active as a night fighter unit in the Second World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 255 Squadron RAF</span> Former flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 255 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as an anti-submarine unit in First World War and a night-fighter unit in Second World War. The First World War squadron was formed from former Royal Naval Air Service coastal flights and was responsible for coastal anti-submarine patrols. It was disbanded after the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Wellingore</span> Former fighter aircraft station

Royal Air Force Wellingore or more simply RAF Wellingore is a former Royal Air Force fighter relief landing ground located 1.9 miles (3.1 km) south of Navenby, Lincolnshire and 10 miles (16 km) south of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">762 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

762 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It formed at RNAS Yeovilton in March 1942 as an Advanced Flying Training School. Almost immediately the squadron relocated to RNAS St Merryn, but before the end of the year, it was back at Yeovilton. 762 NAS disbanded nine months later.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 Morris, Jonathan. "Haunting images of the UK's redundant RAF bases". BBC News. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  2. Vančata 2013, pp. 65, 90.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Unit History: RAF Predannack". Forces War Records. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  4. Jefford 1988, p. 62.
  5. "Airspace and Ownership - Predannack Airfield" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority. 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Bibliography