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A question or two on Airfields in the UK in 1930
- Denis
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11 Jan 2011 22:03 #1
by Denis
A question or two on Airfields in the UK in 1930 was created by Denis
Can you knowledgable chaps tell me how many actual fighter airfields and how many Bomber airfields there were in the UK in 1930? and again the figures for 1938.
You can name them if you wish, but primarily I am interested in figures.
Also, when was the exact period known as the 'Expansion period'?
I look forward to your answers:)
You can name them if you wish, but primarily I am interested in figures.
Also, when was the exact period known as the 'Expansion period'?
I look forward to your answers:)
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- mawganmad
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12 Jan 2011 09:01 #2
by mawganmad
James Thomas
Replied by mawganmad on topic A question or two on Airfields in the UK in 1930
That looks like a question fueled by the RAF 'bomber gap' of the 1920s-30s.
The expansion scheme in general (arms, aircraft, equipment, & stations) ran between July 1934 to 1939, and was implemented from 1935, eight schemes between A-M were issued.
This was triggered by new directives from the PM Stanley Baldwin and the ministries after the collapse of the League of Nations Disarmament Conference at Geneva in may 1934.
I believe airfield numbers went from around 50 to 140 during the period.
I can't help with airfields at the mo, but to give some indication of the small UK commitment during the 1920s, there were 27 RAF squadrons, 22 of which were overseas based!
The expansion scheme in general (arms, aircraft, equipment, & stations) ran between July 1934 to 1939, and was implemented from 1935, eight schemes between A-M were issued.
This was triggered by new directives from the PM Stanley Baldwin and the ministries after the collapse of the League of Nations Disarmament Conference at Geneva in may 1934.
I believe airfield numbers went from around 50 to 140 during the period.
I can't help with airfields at the mo, but to give some indication of the small UK commitment during the 1920s, there were 27 RAF squadrons, 22 of which were overseas based!
James Thomas
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- Paul Francis
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12 Jan 2011 09:34 #3
by Paul Francis
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
Replied by Paul Francis on topic A question or two on Airfields in the UK in 1930
Reorientation Committee decided that Germany was the 'new' enemy and that France was after all a friendly nation. This ment that airfields would be reorientated away from a possible attack from France and instead to defend the UK from an atack from Germany. Hitler came to power in 1933 and this led to new airfields being planned and buildings designed during 1934, ready for Scheme A, the first expansion scheme which were constructed in 1935. Marham and Feltwell being the first two new reorientated bomber airfields.
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
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- canberra
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12 Jan 2011 16:54 #4
by canberra
Replied by canberra on topic A question or two on Airfields in the UK in 1930
Off the top of my head the following RAF airfields were in existence in 1930. Cranwell, Eastchurch, Manston, Henlow, Duxford, Digby, Cranwell, Waddington, Catterick, Leuchars,Northolt,Upper Heyford, Turnhouse, Boscombe Down, Worthy Down. Thats in the UK.
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- Denis
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12 Jan 2011 21:07 #5
by Denis
Replied by Denis on topic A question or two on Airfields in the UK in 1930
For some unnacountable reason, I had heard that the UK mainland had about ten main airfields in 1930. Five Bomber airfields on the eastern side of the country, and five of so fighter stations around London. This number obviously did not include the sattelite (were there sattelite stations then???) or training establishments and flying schools
That seemed to me to be ridiculously low, and in reference to MM's post, his numbers do seem more realistic.
I need some rough figures before Friday if you can Chaps!
....Oh and thanks to all who replied/reply!
That seemed to me to be ridiculously low, and in reference to MM's post, his numbers do seem more realistic.
I need some rough figures before Friday if you can Chaps!
....Oh and thanks to all who replied/reply!
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12 Jan 2011 22:33 #6
by Paul Francis
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
Replied by Paul Francis on topic A question or two on Airfields in the UK in 1930
I had hoped someone else would have posted up this pre-orientation list: (Military airfields and military depots only listed)
Air Defence of Great Britain
Wessex Bombing Area
Andover, Abingdon, Bicester, Bircham Newton, Boscombe Down, Eastchurch, Manston, Mildenhall, Upper Heyford, Worthy Down
Fighting Area
Biggin Hill, Duxford, Hawkinge, Kenley, Northolt, North Weald, Tangmere, Upavon
Inland Area
Catfoss, Catterick, Cranwell, Digby, Farnborough, Halton (airfield?) Henlow, Manston, Martlesham Heath, Netheravon, North Coates, Old Sarum, Usworth, Sealand, Spittlegate, Sutton Bridge, Westwood (1932), Wittering (non-airfields, RAF stores etc: Altrincham, Kidbrooke, Milton, Ruislip, West Drayton)
Other
Castle Bromwich, Felixstowe, Hucknall? Turnhouse, Waddington? (not sure, a bit early for Wadd)
Coastal Area
Calshot, Donibristle, Gosport, Lee on Solent, Leuchars, Mount Batten
Air Defence of Great Britain
Wessex Bombing Area
Andover, Abingdon, Bicester, Bircham Newton, Boscombe Down, Eastchurch, Manston, Mildenhall, Upper Heyford, Worthy Down
Fighting Area
Biggin Hill, Duxford, Hawkinge, Kenley, Northolt, North Weald, Tangmere, Upavon
Inland Area
Catfoss, Catterick, Cranwell, Digby, Farnborough, Halton (airfield?) Henlow, Manston, Martlesham Heath, Netheravon, North Coates, Old Sarum, Usworth, Sealand, Spittlegate, Sutton Bridge, Westwood (1932), Wittering (non-airfields, RAF stores etc: Altrincham, Kidbrooke, Milton, Ruislip, West Drayton)
Other
Castle Bromwich, Felixstowe, Hucknall? Turnhouse, Waddington? (not sure, a bit early for Wadd)
Coastal Area
Calshot, Donibristle, Gosport, Lee on Solent, Leuchars, Mount Batten
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
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- carnaby
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12 Jan 2011 22:46 #7
by carnaby
Andover, Bicester, Bircham, Grantham, Hucknall, Scampton (Bomber)
Biggin, Catterick, Drem, Duxford, Filton, Hornchurch, Kenley, Macmerry, Martlesham, Montrose, N Weald, Tangmere, Turnhouse, Usworth, West Malling, Wittering (Fighter)
Aldergrove, Brough, Cambridge, Castle Bromwich, Denham, E Fortune, Ford, Gosport, Haldon, Halton, Lee, Upavon, Netheravon, Donibristle, Bellasize, Hawkinge, Hendon, Hooton Park, Okehampton, Old Sarum, Sealand, Shawbury, Sherburn, Sutton Bridge, Sywell, Ternhill, Thornaby, Thorney Island, Turnberry, Weston Zoyland, Weston-on-the-Green, Yatesbury (various).
There were also a number of civil / manufacturer airfields with some RAF presence, e.g. Southend, Weston-s-Mare.
Graham
Plan A is always more effective when the problem you are working on understands that Plan B will involve the use of dynamite
Replied by carnaby on topic A question or two on Airfields in the UK in 1930
In addition to Canberra's list, Willis & Hollis have, by 1930:For some unnacountable reason, I had heard that the UK mainland had about ten main airfields in 1930.
Andover, Bicester, Bircham, Grantham, Hucknall, Scampton (Bomber)
Biggin, Catterick, Drem, Duxford, Filton, Hornchurch, Kenley, Macmerry, Martlesham, Montrose, N Weald, Tangmere, Turnhouse, Usworth, West Malling, Wittering (Fighter)
Aldergrove, Brough, Cambridge, Castle Bromwich, Denham, E Fortune, Ford, Gosport, Haldon, Halton, Lee, Upavon, Netheravon, Donibristle, Bellasize, Hawkinge, Hendon, Hooton Park, Okehampton, Old Sarum, Sealand, Shawbury, Sherburn, Sutton Bridge, Sywell, Ternhill, Thornaby, Thorney Island, Turnberry, Weston Zoyland, Weston-on-the-Green, Yatesbury (various).
There were also a number of civil / manufacturer airfields with some RAF presence, e.g. Southend, Weston-s-Mare.
Graham
Plan A is always more effective when the problem you are working on understands that Plan B will involve the use of dynamite
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12 Jan 2011 22:55 #8
by Paul Francis
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
Replied by Paul Francis on topic A question or two on Airfields in the UK in 1930
Willis & Hollis is incorrect as far as military sites go.
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
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- Peter Kirk
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13 Jan 2011 12:47 #9
by Peter Kirk
I think they stated when the airfield was opened an not when occupied by the RAF so a lot would have been classed a Civil aerodromes.
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
Replied by Peter Kirk on topic A question or two on Airfields in the UK in 1930
Willis & Hollis is incorrect as far as military sites go.
I think they stated when the airfield was opened an not when occupied by the RAF so a lot would have been classed a Civil aerodromes.
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
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13 Jan 2011 14:51 #10
by Paul Francis
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
Replied by Paul Francis on topic A question or two on Airfields in the UK in 1930
Military Errors Wittering (fighter), Scampton (bomber). Yatesbury, Macmerry (civil), Bellasize and Okehampton may have been summer camps, Hooton Park was civil, Thorny Island ? Turnberry ? Cambridge civil, Brough civil. Shawbury ? Sherburn civil, Sywell civil
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
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