Crumlin Aldergrove
Antrim Co Antrim
7k S of Antrim. 23k WNW of Belfast
Antrim
2202 (1952)
EGAA
028-90422888
BFS
info below from Kevin Glynn’s excellent flight guide 2006 p36 Site selected as one of the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force main training centres in Ireland during 1918.
Aldergrove was renamed Belfast International Airport in 1983.
A very busy International Airport serving many points around Europe and throughout the world
In 1999 1m passengers passed through and in 2004 there were 2.4m.
Langford Lodge airfield is on approach to 07 and has caused confusion for some first time visitors- to the point that on 18.07.2006 a Futura International Airways Boeing 737-300 operated on behalf of Easyjet made an approach to land on 07 there- before ATC at Aldergrove pointed out their error.
ATIS 128.20 Approach 120.90
Flight plan MANDATORY arrival and departure as directed.
Café Bar and Snack Bar in Terminal building Mogas No - Avgas Yes
Crumlin -Aldergrove (RAF Aldergrove)- Aldergrove 1918-1978 now Belfast International Airport
Operational as Fighter Command??/Closed 12.1919 but used annually for exercises/Operational 15.05.1925/Airport 26.09.1963
see just below for correct operational use
Crumlin-Aldergrove became operational 00.01.1918 16 Aircraft Acceptance Park used for the final assembly area for Handley Page V/1500 Bombers constructed
by Harland and Wolffs Belfast factory. Only eight of the 25 aircraft actually arrived at Crumlin-Aldergrove for assembly and flight delivery.
Closed at the end of WW1 00.12.1919-00.11.1920 4 Sqn (A Flight) Bristol Fighters based 00.11.1920 - 04.05.1921.
Closed again 00.05.1921-00.05.1922 2 Sqn (C Flight) Bristol Fighters based 00.06.1922 - 07.02.1923.
formed here 15.02.1925 502 Reserve Sqn
Vickers Vimys F9146 and J7247.
delivered 00.00.1928 502 Sqn Hyderabads J7739- J7742 and J8803
re-equipped 00.12.1931 502 Sqn
Vickers Virginia J7434- J7560- K2323- K2658
31.05.1933 Midland & Scottish Air Ferries for services from Glasgow (Renfrew)-Campbeltown-Aldergrove Airspeed Ferry’s G-ACBT- G-ACFB
and from 00.04.1934 Midland & Scottish Air Ferries for services from Croydon-Speke-Ronaldsway-Aldergrove used DH.84 Dragons ACCZ- G-ACDN
during 00.07.1934 these services were
taken over by Railway Air Services who used DH.86 and DH.89 aircraft
From spring 00.00.1934 civil aircraft were encouraged to use the newly developed airfield at Newtownards- and Aldergrove reverted back to a military field.
became Day Bomber unit 00.00.1935 502 Sqn Wallaces
Heavy Bomber 00.01.1936 9 Sqn
Vickers Virginia’s. arrived 00.03.1936
re-equipped 00.00.1936 9 Sqn
Heyford 3's
00.03.1936 2 Armament Training Camp Wallaces involved used drogue towing in air-to-air firing training. a constant stream of RAF Squadrons
were based for short-term training sessions.
00.09.1936 9 Sqn moved to Scampton
00.10.1936 Air Ministry Meteorological Flight Bristol Bulldogs K1686- K1687- K2144- K2213 became 402 Meteorological Flight
replaced with 00.00.1937 502 Sqn
Hawker Hinds .
23.07.1937 Air Ministry Meteorological Flight Gloster Guantlets K5279-K5280- K5282- K5283
00.09.1939 405 Meteorological
Flight initially using Blenheim IV's but later Hudsons and later still Hampdens.These Met.
Flights were
tasked with carrying out continuous weather monitoring flights over the Atlantic.
Renumbered as
1405 Flight in 1941
00.00.0000-00.00.1941 402 Meteorological Flight
00.00.1941 1405 Flight
1405 became 518 (Meteorological) Sqn 00.08.1943
00.00.1941-01.10.1946? 1402 Flight ex 402 Meteorological Flight 518 Sqn RAF-?on 00.12.1944 1402 Flight moved to Ballyhalbert?
from where the last Gladiator flight took place on 07.01.1945-operated the Halifax III-Hurricane IIC-
Spitfire VII and Halifax VI between 18.09.1945 and 01.10.1946. During 00.09.1945 1402 Flight
received Spitire IX's and Hurricane II's. By the end of 1945 1402 Flight had been absorbed into 518
Met. Squadron ?The squadron was disbanded here 01.10.1946?
00.08.1943-01.10.1946 518 (Meteorological) Sqn 0n 01.10.1946 518 became 202 Sqn
03.11.1945-21.06.1946 280 Sqn RAF detachment operated the Vickers Warwick I - disbanded 21.06.1946.
reformed here 10.05.1946 502 Sqn RAF
operated various aircraft types including de Havilland - Mosquito B.25 & NF.30 – Supermarine
Spitfire F.22 - Flights strength was increased with the delivery of nine new Gloster Gladiators
N5590- N5591- N5592- N5593- N5637- N5576- N5900 + 1- By D-Day Spitfire VI's had been added
to the Sqn strength.
01.10.1946-28.10.1964 202 Sqn RAF 01.10.1946 518 became 202 Sqn. This Squadron used Halifax GR5's and Halifax Met.6's until
00.10.1950 when the first HP. Hastings Met.1 was delivered. Hastings known to have been used
include TG504- TG505- TG511 and TG567. These met. flights later became known as Bismuth
Flights- and continued until 31.07.1964- when the last weather flight was carried out by a 202 Sqn
Hastings. RAF No.202 Sqn was based here in the 1940's with Halifaxes which were used on
meteorological flights over the Atlantic with Halifax GR.6- A.9 and Met 1 version's – disbanded
here 28.10.1964
reformed 01.03.1948-18.10.1948 214 Sqn RAF
operating Halifax GR.6
23 Maintenance Unit was formed at Aldergrove to equip and modify aircraft before operational deployment- and at one stage there were more than 500 aircraft on charge.
Used Maghaberry- Langford Lodge and St. Angelo as satellites.
26.09.1963
Used as Belfasts main airport from26.09.1963- while still a military airfield.
Mid 1950's Boeing Washingtons were stored at Aldergrove A=Arrival WF435 A25.03.1954 scrapped 00.06.1956
WF434 A21.06.1954 scrapped 00.06.1956 WF436 A28.07.1954 scrapped 00.07.1956
WW355 A22.06.1954 to Ministry of Supply 16.09.1958
WF441 A08.07.1954 to Ministry of Supply 19.09.1958 WW346 A03.02.1958 to Ministry of Supply 16.09.1958 WZ966 A06.02.1958 scrapped 16.09.1958
WZ967 A06.02.1958 scrapped 16.09.1958 WZ968 A06.02.1958 scrapped 16.09.1958
all serials listed above are shown in the
military aircraft movements
list below.Early 1970's: two runways each about 6000ft.. The main r/w extended to 9000ft by end 1972. Was a major servicing depot for such
types as Shackleton- Canberra- Javelin- Argosy and Phantom. [No.23 M.U.] Base of No.
23 Maintenance Unit Closed down late 1976 ?
Spring 1976: £27m to be spent on improvements- including a new finger building for nose-in parking. Work to take place over 5 years.
List of residents: Ulster Air Mail 00.02. 1975 List of residents: Ulster Air Mail 00.02. 1976 List of residents: Ulster Air Mail 00.02. 1977 List of residents: Ulster Air Mail 00.02. 1978 List of residents: Ulster Air Mail 00.02. 1979
List of residents: Ulster Air Mail 00.02.1992 p.24
1994 based: Wessex- Puma- Chinook of No’s 72 abd 230 Sqn. Army Air Corps aircraft
List of residents: Ulster Air Mail 00.05.1999 p108
List of residents: Air-Britain United kingdom & Ireland Civil Aircraft Register 2002 Aldergrove’s location made it an important station of RAF Coastal Command in the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War. From this base- long-range
reconnaissance aircraft were able to patrol the Eastern Atlantic for U-boats. Some of these patrols ranged as far out as the distant islet of Rockall.
Aldergrove was designated as a dispersal airfield for the RAF's V bomber force in the 1950s and was included in a reduced list of 26 airfields in 1962.
Military Unit Movements
data in green via Air Britain “BASES” data in black via many other sources
based 01.11.1918 04.12.1919 No.16 Aircraft Acceptance Park 16 AAP HP V/1500 final assembly here of Handley Page bombers constructed at
00.11.1918 00.12.1919
Harland and Wolff Belfast. Only eight of the 25 aircraft actually arrived at Crumlin-Aldergrove for assembly and flight delivery
aerodrome closed 04.12.1919
00.12.1919 00.11.1920 Care & Maintenance Farnborough based 07.10.1920 04.05.1921 4 Sqn A flight
Bristol F.2b Fighters to Baldonnell
based 00.11.1920 04.05.1921
4 Sqn detachment RAF
Bristol F.2b Fightersbased 30.04.1920 26.09.1922 4 Sqn A flight RAF Bristol F.2b Fighters to Turkey 09.1922 until 09.1923
conflicting date for 4 Sqn deployment
based 04.05.1921 18.01.1922 4 Sqn detachment RAF Bristol F.2b Fighters
00.05.1921 00.05.1922 Care & Maintenance conflicting dates for 2 Sqn deployment
based 00.05.1922 27.12.1922 2 Sqn A- B & C flights RAF
Bristol F.2b Fighters to Farnborough 27.12 1922 between based 02.06.1922 27.09.1922 2 Sqn A- B & C flights RAF initially at full strength Bristol F.2b Fighter
based 02.06.1922 07.02.1923 2 Sqn C Flight detachment RAF Bristol F.2b Fighter continued until 17.09.1923?
Digby based 31.05.1922 27.09.1922 2 Sqn (full complement) Bristol F.2b Fighters to Farnborough
Farnborough based 27.09.1922 07.03.1923 2 Sqn C Flt Bristol F.2b Fighters to Farnborough
based 27.12.1922 07.02.1923 2 Sqn C flight RAF Bristol F.2b Fighters
formed here based 15.05.1925 27.01.1941 502 Sqn RAF
Vickers Vimy 15.05.1925 to Limavady 27.01.1941 Avro 504N (training) 15.05.1925-00.00.1937
Handley Page Hyderabad 00.07.1928 Vickers Virginia X 00.12.1931 Westland Wallace II 00.10.1935 Avro Tudor (training) 00.00.1937
Hawker Hind- 00.04.1937
Avro Anson I 00.01.1937
Blackburn Botha I training 00.00.1940 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V & VII 00.10.1940
Handly Page Helifax II 00.00.1940 502 Sqn RAF formed here on 15.05.1925 - 27.01.1941
formed here based 28.03.1927 00.00.0000 Communication Flight Aldergrove aircraft ? disbanded ?
15.10.1935 11.10.1936 214 Sqn detachment RAF Vickers Virginia X
Boscombe Down based 15.10.1935 01.10.1936 9 Sqn RAF Vickers Virginia X 15.01.1936
Handley Page Heyford III 00.04.1936
Andover based 15.01.1936 01.10.1936 9 Sqn RAF
Virginia to Scampton
Heyford
formed here based 02.03.1936 06.10.1936 Armament Training Camp
Wallace redesignated 2 Air Training Corps
Andover based 00.09.1936 00.10.1936 214 Sqn RAF detachment
Virginia to Scampton
Worthy Down based 03.09.1936 12.12.1936 102 Sqn RAF
Heyford II to Finningley
formed here based 28.09.1936 00.00.0000 Station flight
Fury code 7X
Tutor Tiger Moth Oxford Wallace Henley Lysander Anson Magister Proctor Mosquito Vampire disbanded?
formed here based 28.09.1936 27.10.1939 Air Ministry Meteorological Flight
Bulldog redesignated C Flight.
Gauntlet Gladiator
formed ex ATC based 06.10.1936 01.04.1938 Air Training Corps
Hart redesignated 2 Armament Training
Station
Hind Fairey IIIF Gordon Wallace
Worthy Down based 12.04.1937 01.05.1937 35 Sqn RAF
Gordon to Worthy Down
Scampton based 00.05.1937 00.05.1937 9 Sqn detachment
Heyford to Scampton
Leconfield based 00.08.1937 16.09.1937 166 Sqn RAF
Heyford to Leconfield
Lympne based 00.10.1937 00.11.1937 34 Sqn RAF
Hind to Lympne
Wyton based 28.10.1937 19.11.1937 139 Sqn RAF
Blenheim to Wyton
ex 2 Air Training based 01.04.1938 17.04.1939 2 Armament Training Station
Hind redesignated 3 Air Observers School
Corps
Wallace
Debden based 18.10.1938 04.11.1938 85 Sqn detachment RAF
Hind to Debden
18.10.1938 04.11.1938 85 Sqn RAF Hawker Hurricane I
Church Fenton based 00.00.1938 00.00.1938 64 Sqn detachment RAF
Demon to Church Fenton
Wyton based based 00.12.1938 00.12.1938 139 Sqn detachment RAF
Blenheim to Wyton
Leconfield based 09.01.1939 08.02.1939 166 Sqn RAF
Heyford to Leconfield
Old Sarum based 02.03.1939 01.04.1939 59 Sqn RAF
Hector to Old Sarum
ex 2 Armament based 17.04.1939 01.12.1939 3 Air Observers School
Heyford redesignated 3 Bombing & Gunnery School Training Station
Wallace Battle Gladiator Gauntlet Magister
ex Air Ministrybased 27.05.1939 15.01.1941 C Flight
Bulldog redesignated 1402 Meteorological
Flight
Meteorological Flight Gauntlet Gladiator
Sealand based 00.10.1939 00.11.1939 5 Service Flying Training School
detachment ? to Sealand
Worthy Down based 16.11.1939 03.07.1940 774 Sqn Naval Air Squadron/Fleet Air
Arm Skua code O4 to Evanton
Roc Shark Swordfish
ex 3 Air based 01.12.1939 11.07.1940 3 Bombing & Gunnery School
Gauntlet disbanded 11.07.1940
Observers School Heyford
Wallace Battle Demon Henley Botha Magister
formed here based 01.12.1939 04.12.1939 4 Coastal Patrol Flight
Tiger Moth to Hooton Park
Hornet Moth
formed here based 01.12.1939 00.04.1978 23 Maintenance Unit-Aircraft Storage Unit- multiple aircraft code 3B in 41 Group-no record of code use-disbanded
Repair & Salvage Unit-Motor Storage
Unit 00.04.1978
list of Satillite Landing Grounds associated with 23 MU Aldergrove 1 01.06.1941 to 00.10.1947
01.06 1941
14.03.1945 SLG16 Ballywalter
23MU assigned to Satellite Landing Ground
Ballywalter also given as “Millisle” not used by 23
MU-to 101 Storage Sub Site Maghaberry instead
Millisle was also the name allocated to a new airfield
under construction 3.7k inland W of the coast at Millisle during early 1945 - it was never
completed
The remains of the partially constructed N/S
runway-plus other runway sections and what was to be the
technical area are all visible on Google Earth.
01.05.1941 00.09.1941 SLG17 Maydown
post 00.09.1941 developed into full scale airfield 06.06.1941 15.09.1941 SLG18 St Angelo
but never used by 23 MU-to fighter sector station
in 82 Group 15.09.1941 01.05.1941 14.02.1945 SLG19 Murlough
for 23 MU to SLG 101 Murlog
01.07.1941 00.05.1942 SLG20 Langford Lodge
post 00.05.1942 developed into full scale airfield 11.01.1945 00.10.1947 SLG101 Murlough
for 23 MU in place of16 & 19 SLG’s -dispersal centre
for Short Sterlings closed 00.10.1947. Also known as
101 Storage Sub Site. conflicting with Maghaberry info
above.
00.00.1951 23 Maintenance Unit RAF Aldergrove was the main servicing and reconditioning station for the English Electric Canberra from their introduction in 1951.
01.12.1963 redesignated Aircraft Supply &
Servicing Depot? but still refered to as 23 Maintenance Unit RAFuntil disbanded 00.04.1971 00.00.1968 1968 showed 116 aircraft passing through on their way to front line service. the station had a staff of 2-500 RAF personnel and 1-500 civilian operaters
00.00.1976 In 1976 it was also responsible for the maintenance of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in RAF service.
.
24.06.1940 04.06.1941 235 Sqn detachment RAF Bristol Blenheim IVF
reformed herebased 01.07.1940 15.07.1940 231 Sqn RAF Lysander code VM reformed from 416 Flight 01.07.1940 to
Newtownards15.07.1940 01.07.1940 15.07.1940 231 Sqn RAF Westland Lysander II
Kenley based 08.07.1940 00.07.1940 64 Sqn Spitfire code SH to Kenley Sumburgh based 18.07.1940 30.07.1940 254 Sqn detachment RAF
Anson code QM to Sumburgh
Hooton Park based 19.07.1940 18.11.1940 48 Sqn detachment RAF
Anson code OY to Hooton Park
Turnhouse based 20.07.1940 14.07.1941 245 Sqn RAF Hurricane code DX to Ballyhalbert
20.07.1940 14.07.1941 245 Sqn RAF Hurricane I
Gatwick visitor 30.07.1940 01.08.1940 98 Sqn RAF
Battle code VO to Wick Leuchars based 03.08.1940 14.09.1940 233 Sqn RAF
Hudson I code ZS to Leuchars
03.08.1940 14.09.1940 233 Sqn RAF Hudson I
Leeming based 00.08.1940 00.09.1940 102 Sqn detatched RAF
Whitley code DY to Leeming
01.09.1940 10.10.1940 102 Sqn RAF Whitley V between
00.09.1940 15.04.1941 224 Sqn detachment RAF
Hudson I- II and III T9273- 9277- 9278- 9314- 9315- 9326- 9328- 9338-
9344 9345- 9351- model II del 10.1940 9376- Leuchars based 13.09.1940 06.12.1940 224 Sqn RAF(half sqn)
Hudson code QX to Leuchars
reformed here 18.11.1940 03.04.1941 272 Sqn RAF Blenheim IVF
Aldergrove received its first Transatlantic armament deliverys in 00.11.1940 when seven Hudsons arrived from the Lockheed factory in California
00.11.1940D
Lockheed Hudson delivery
00.11.1940D
Lockheed Hudson delivery
00.11.1940D
Lockheed Hudson delivery
00.11.1940D
Lockheed Hudson delivery
00.11.1940D
Lockheed Hudson delivery
00.11.1940D
Lockheed Hudson delivery
00.11.1940D
Lockheed Hudson delivery
Leuchars based 08.12.1940 08.08.1941 233 Sqn RAF
Hudson code ZS to St. Eval
re-formed here based 19.12.1940 03.04.1941 272 Sqn RAF
Blenheim code XK to Chivenor
Limavady based 00.12.1940 00.12.1940 502 Sqn detatched RAF
Whitley code YG to Limavady all three on Limavady
list but
Limavady based 00.12.1940 04.12.1940 502 Sqn A Flight RAF
Whitley code YG to Limavady not on lthe
Aldergrove list on
Sydenham based 00.01.1941 31.07.1996 Belfast University Air Squadron
Tiger Moth the Air Britain BASES CD so
redesignated Queen’s University Air
Squadron Bulldog have been added
here in order
18.05.1941-disbanded 31.07.1996 to keep the record straight
Limavady based 00.01.1941 27.01.1941 502 Sqn RAF
Whitley code YG to Limavady
Sydenham based 00.01.1941 31.07.1996 Belfast University Air Squadron
Tiger Moth redesignated Queen’s University Air Squadron
Bulldog 18.05.1941-disbanded 31.07.1996
based 18.05.1941 31.07.1996 Belfast University Air Squadron
Tiger Moth redesignated Queen’s University Air Squadron
Bulldog 18.05.1941-disbanded 31.07.1996
Dyce based 08.01.1941 00.00.1941 254 Sqn detachment RAF Blenheim code QY to Sumburgh - main Sqn to Sumburgh 07.01.1941
ex C Flight based 15.01.1941 01.03.1941 402 Meteorological Flight RAF Gladiator redesignated 1402 Meteorological Flight RAF
01.03.1941
formed here based 00.03.1941 07.02.1942 1405 Meteorological Flight RAF Blenheim
Hudson Hampden
Bircham Newton based 01.03.1941 18.04.1941 206 Sqn detachment RAF
Hudson code VX to Bircham Newton
Leuchars based 01.03.1941 20.03.1941 224 Sqn detachment RAF
Hudson code QX to Limavady
St Eval based 01.03.1941 12.03.1941 236 Sqn detachment RAF
Blenheim code MB to St Eval
ex 402 based 01.03.1941 01.12.1944 1402 Meteorological Flight RAF Gladiator 01.03.1941-00.07.1944
Meteorological Flight RAF
Spitfire V 00.10.1941 Spitfire VI 00.02.1943
Blenheim 07.02.1942
Hudson 07.02.1942-00.02.1943
Hampden 00.02.1943
Hurricane 00.07.1944
Magister to Ballyhalbert 01.12.1944
Bircham Newton based 12.03.1941 00.00.1941 235 Sqn detachment RAF Blenheim code QY to Bircham Newton
Leuchars based 31.03.1941 14.08.1941 233 Sqn RAF
Hudson code ZS to St Eval
based 00.04.1941 00.05.1941 252 Sqn RAF
Beaufighter code PN 01.05.1941 a detachment of 15 aircraft sent to
Malta-Crete then to Egypt - 15.06.1941 252 was temporarily mearged into 143 at Aldergrove &
272 in Egypt
Chivenor based 03.04.1941 15.06.1941 252 Sqn RAF Beaufighter code PN to (Middle East)
06.04.1941 15.05.1941 252 Sqn RAF Bristol Beaufighter IC
Leuchars based 10.04.1941 21.04.1941 224 Sqn detachment ? RAF
Hudson code QX to Limavady Turnhouse
based 00.05.1941 00.08.1941 13 Group Anti-Aircraft Co-operation
Flight Blenheim IV detatchment here between 00.05.and
detachment RAF
Lysander II 00.08.1941 to Turnhouse
West Malling visitor 08.05.1941 09.05.1941 264 Sqn detachment RAF
Defiant I code PS to West Malling
Sumburgh based 29.05.1941 10.12.1941 254 Sqn RAF Beaufighter code QY to Dyce
29.05.1941 12.12.1941 254 Sqn RAF Blenheim IVF
reformed here based 15.06.1941 24.03.1944 143 Sqn RAF Bristol Beaufighter IC
reformed here based 15.06.1941 27.09.1941 143 Sqn RAF Beaufighter code HO to Sumburgh
03.08.1941 20.10.1941 48 Sqn detachment RAF Lockheed Hudson III & V
St. Eval based 12.08.1941 30.06.1942 206 Sqn RAF
Hudson code VX to Benbecula
12.08.1941 01.07.1942 206 Sqn RAF Hudson including the I / II / III / IV and V
reformed here based 00.11.1941 00.12.1941 15 group Armament Practice Camp
RAF Lysander redesignated 1 Armament Training Camp
reformed here based 05.11.1941 01.09.1945 1 Armament Training Camp RAF
Lysander ex 15 group Armament Practice Camp
Martinet 1 APC disbanded 01.09.1945
reformed here based 15.12.1941 01.09.1945 1 Armament Training Camp RAF
Lysander ex 15 group Armament Practice Camp
Martinet 1 APC
disbanded 01.09.1945
Sumburgh based 01.12.1941 23.04.1942 143 Sqn RAF Beaufighter code HO to Limavady
formed here based 00.04.1942 00.00.1942/43 2850 Squadron Royal Air Force
Regiment non-op (aviation) to Maydown and disbanded there
1942/43
anti-aircraft artillery unit based at RAF Station Hawkinge- Kent. The Royal Air Force Regiment is the ground fighting force of the Royal Air Force
and is charged mainly with protecting military airfields among other duties. First formed in1942 to protect airfields against enemy attack.
East Wretham based 28.04.1942 12.06.1942 311 Sqn RAF
Wellington code KX to Talbenny
28.04.1942 12.06.1942 311 Sqn RAF Vickers Wellington IC
formed here based 07.06.1942 06.09.1942 9 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit
RAF Beaufighter to Crosby-on-Eden
Beaufort Oxford
based 21.07.1942 24.03.1944 120 Sqn detachment RAF Liberator III
Ballykelly based 14.02.1943 13.04.1943 120 Sqn RAF Coastal Command
Liberator to Reykjavik
Ballykelly based 14.02.1943 13.03.1943 220 Sqn RAF Coastal Command
Fortress code 2 to Benbecula
14.02.1943 30.03.1943 220 Sqn RAF Boeing Fortress II
18.03.1943 06.09.1943 86 Sqn RAF Liberator IIIA & V
Thorney Island based 19.03.1943 03.09.1943 86 Sqn RAF Liberator code BX to Ballykelly
Thorney Island based 11.05.1943 14.09.1943 59 Sqn RAF
Liberator to Ballykelly
based 11.05.1943 15.09.1943 59 Sqn RAF Consolidated Liberator V
Sydenham based 21.06.1943 31.03.1947 Queen’s University Air Squadron RAF
Moth to Sydenham
Tutor
Tiger Moth
Ballyhalbert based 00.07.1943 18.03.1944 2707 Sqn RAF Regiment non-op (aviation) to Gravesend 18.03.1944
Ballyhalbert 11.07.1943; includes Flights (Units?) at Castle Archdale and Aldergrove;
moved to Gravesend 18.03.1944. 2707 Squadron of No.11 Group- was an RAF.
Regiment anti-aircraft artillery unit based at RAF. Station Hawkinge- Kent. The Royal
Air Force Regiment is the ground fighting force of the Royal Air Force and
is charged mainly with protecting military installations among other duties. First
formed in1942 to protect all RAF properties including airfields against enemy attack.
Beaulieu based 06.09.1943 10.10.1943 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit Liberator merged into 1674 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF on
detachment RAF 10.10.1943
formed here based 10.10.1943 19.10.1943 1674 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF 9 Liberator to Longtown- Liberator flight remained at Aldergrove
5 Fortress 9 Halifax 5 Oxford 2 Martinet 1 Wellington
Longtown based 19.10.1943 01.02.1944 1674 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF detachment 9+Liberator joined by rest of Liberator unit
based 25.10.1943 13.06.1944 547 Sqn detachment RAF Wellington XI
Wellington XIII Liberator V
Great Orton based 19.12.1943 12.04.1944 1 (Coastal) Engine Control
Demonstration Unit Wellington formed 19.10.1943 within
1674 HCU - to Angle
Longtown based 18 01.1944 01.02.1944 1674 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF detachment 9+Liberator 5 Fortress also detatched to Aldergrove
25.10.1943 13.06.1944 547 Sqn detachment RAF Wellington XI and XIII and Liberator V
5 Fortress
Longtown based 01.02.1944 10.08.1945 1674 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF 9+Liberator Unit HQ to Aldergrove-9 Halifax remained at
9 Halifax Longtown until 19.02.1944
5 Fortress Fortress and Liberator units used Nutts Corner
5 Oxford 19.02.1944 to 18.03.1944 during runway
2 Martinet resurfacing at Aldergrove. Break in Fortress Hurricane training 15.09.1944 to 00.12.1944 and finally
ceased 10.08.1945- when the unit moved to Milltown
Davidstowe Moor based 00.03.1944 12.04.1944 206 Sqn detachment RAF
Liberator to St Eval
Westcott based 17.06.1944 00.00.1944 1 Engine Control Demonstration Unit C flight Wellington II to Westcott-redesignated Engine Control
ex Engine Control Consumption Unit
Wellington III Demonstration Flight
Beaufighter
Beccles based 00.05.1945 ? 280 Sqn detachment RAF Air Sea Rescue Warwick 1- 1a code MF or YF to Beccles Sqn disbanded 21.06.1946 but a
report also states that futher post war detatchments were sent to various locations including Aldergrove
based at Aldergrove 1 on 06.06.1944 (D-Day) were the following
based 06.06.1944 1674 Heavy Conversion Unit
Fortress 17 Group
Liberator Anson Martinet
based 06.06.1944 1 Armament Practice Camp
Martinets 15 Group
based 06.06.1944 1401 Meteorological Flight
Gladiator 15 Group linked to 521 Sqn RAF-records seem
possible typo meant as1402 Spitfire VI to show 521 was operational during 06.1944
but not as 1401. 521 never listed at Aldergrove 1 based 06.06.1944 23 Maintenance Unit Aircraft Storage
Unit. (ASU) 41 Group
Ballyhalbert based 09.08.1945 ? 1402 Meteorological Flight RAF
redesignated 518 Sqn RAF 01.10.1945 then on 01.10.1946 became 202 Sqn RAF Tiree based 18.09.1945 01.10.1946 518 Sqn RAF
Halifax code Y3 absolved into 1402 Meteorological Flight
Spitfire disbanded 01.10.1946
Hurricane
18.09.1945 01.10.1946 518 Sqn RAF
Halifax III disbanded here 01.10.1946
Hurricane IIC Spitfire VII Halifax VI
reformed herebased 03.11.1945 21.06.1946 280 Sqn detachment RAF
Vickers Warwick I disbanded here 21.06.1946
reformed here 10.05.1946 10.03.1957 502 Sqn RAF deHavilland Mosquito B.25
deHavilland Mosquito NF.30 Supermarine Spitfire F.22
deHavilland Vampire F.3 deHavilland Vampire FB.5 deHavilland Vampire FB.9
formed here based 16.01.1946 11.02.1946 1362 Meteorological Flight RAF Halifax B.VI Meteorological not delivered disbanded 11.02.1946 was destained for Air
Command South East Asia
formed here based 16.01.1946 11.02.1946 1363 Meteorological Flight RAF Halifax B.VI Meteorological not delivered disbanded 11.02.1946 was destained for Air
Command South East Asia
formed here based 16.01.1946 11.02.1946 1362 Meteorological Flight RAF Halifax B.VI Meteorological not delivered disbanded 11.02.1946 was destained for Air
Command South East Asia 10.05.1946 10.03.1957 502 Sqn RAF deHavilland Mosquito B.25
deHavilland Vampire NF.30 Supermarine Spitfire F.22
reformed here based 17.07.1946 10.03.1957 502 Sqn RAF codes V9 RAC disbanded 10.03.1957
Mosquito B.25 00.07.1946-00.12.1947
Mosquito NF.30 00.12.1947-00.06.1949
Spitfire F.22 00.06.1948-00.01.1951
Vampire FB.5 00.03.1951-10.03.1957
Vampire FB.9 00.07.1954-10.03.1957
reformed herebased 01.10.1946 31.07.1964 202 Sqn RAF Halifax code Y3 disbanded here 31.07.1964 Hastings
01.10.1946 28.10.1964 202 Sqn RAF
Halifax GR.6 disbanded here 28.10.1964
Halifax A.9 Halifax Met 1
reformed here based 00.10.1946 31.03.1947 Queen’s University Air Squadron RAF Tiger Moth code FLE to Sydenham
Sydenham based 01.12.1946 01.04.1950 Royal Air Force Northern Ireland
Anson code QU redesignated 67 Group Communication
Communication Flight
Proctor Flight RAF
Oxford Dominie
reformed here based 01.03.1948 18.10.1948 224 Sqn RAF
Halifax Met.6 code XB to Gibraltar
remained here based 18.10.1948 05.03.1950 224 Sqn detachment RAF
Halifax code XB to Gibraltar
Downhill based 30.06.1949 00.09.1949 203 Gliding School RAF
Cadet I to Sydenham probably here prior to
arrival date
Cadet II and possible gone prior to departure
date shown
Cadet TX.3 Sedbergh TX.I
ex Royal Air based 01.04.1950 00.01.1957 67 Group Communication Flight RAF
Anson code QU disbanded 00.01.1957
Force Northern Ireland Communication Flight Spitfire
Kinloss based 01.04.1952 01.04.1959 120 Sqn RAF
Shackleton Kinloss
reformed here 01.05.1952 27.05.1952 240 Sqn RAF Avro Shackleton MR.1
18.11.1954 01.09.1959 275 Sqn detachment RAF
Hiller HTE-2 disbanded here 01.09.1959
Hiller HTE-2 disbanded here 01.09.1959