Predannack Airfield
This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2012) |
RNAS Predannack Predannack Airfield AMSL | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||
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.
RAF Predannack
Second World War
Development
The
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
In preparation for
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.
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
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
See also
- List of topics related to Cornwall
- List of former Royal Air Force stations
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d Morris, Jonathan (28 June 2015). "Haunting images of the UK's redundant RAF bases". BBC News. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
- ^ Vančata 2013, pp. 65, 90.
- ^ a b c d "Unit History: RAF Predannack". Forces War Records. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
- ^ Jefford 1988, p. 62.
- ^ "Airspace and Ownership - Predannack Airfield" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority. 2018.
Bibliography
- Ashworth, RCB (1990). Action Stations 5, Military Airfields of the South West. Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-85260-374-7.
- Jefford, CG (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
- Marchant, David J (1996). Rise from the East: The story of No. 247 (China British) Squadron Royal Air Force. Tunbridge Wells: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-244-0.
- Vančata, Pavel (2013). 311 Squadron. Sandomierz: Stratus, for Mushroom Model Publications. ISBN 978-83-61421-43-6.
External links
- "Predannack". helis.com.
- dyvroeth (27 December 2008). "Predannack Airfield – pictures taken at Predannack Airfield". flickr.