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ACQUISITION |
Purpose built for Admiralty.
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COMMISSIONED |
19 June 1940.
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PAID OFF |
31 March 1970.
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CLOSED |
31 March 1970 - Establishment transferred to Royal
Marines 3 Commando Brigade and became Condor Barracks,
home to 45 Commando. |
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C.O. |
Captain E.M.C. Able-Smith 5 July 1940
Captain R.M.T.
Taylor
Captain V.C.R. St.V. Sherbrooke DSO 6 August 1954
Captain L.E. Porter 10 July 1945 |
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FUNCTION |
WW2
Naval Air Signals School
No.2 Air Observers School
Fleet Requirements Unit
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Post 1945
H.Q. Rear Admiral Reserve Training (R.A.R.T.),
Air Artificer Training Establishment.
FAA Mechanical Training School.
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Technical Conversion Courses,
Fleet Requirements Unit (North),
Accommodation for 2 1st Line Squadrons,
All-weather airfield.
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Post 1953
Training Establishment for Aircraft Mechanicians (A.E., and S.O.).
Petty Officer and Airman Fitters (A.E. and O.) and Aircraft Artificers (A. and E.). Special Category Airfield. Short Aircraft Maintenance Courses. Aircraft Inspection and Survey Party. Ground Helicopter School.
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PARENT STATION TO |
RNAS Dundee &
RNAS East Haven.
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ADDRESS |
R.N. Air Station
Arbroath
Angus,
Scotland |
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LOCALITY
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The airfield lies 1½ miles NW. of
the coastal town of Arbroath; on the E. side of the main
road and close W. of the railway leading NW. from the
town.
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LANDMARKS |
Buddon Ness. the N. entrance point of the Firth of Tay,
distant 8 miles SSW.
The town of Arbroath. The S.R.
railway running NNW. from Arbroath, parallel with the NE.
boundary and distant about 500 yds. |
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ROAD AND RAIL ACCESS |
Main road to Arbroath and to Dundee, 19 miles (R); Station
at Arbroath, distant 1¾ miles (R)., on
the main Arbroath-Dundee line. |
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CONTROL |
Control building on the W. side of the landing area in
front of the squadron hangars.
Facilities and Safety
Aids as laid down for All-weather airfield. |
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ELEVATION |
160 ' above M.S.L.
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RUNWAYS |
Four, Tarmac.
03/21 QDM. 234˚-214˚
.... 1000 x 33 yds.
08/26 QDM. 079˚-259˚
.... 1320 x 33 yds. (Low visibility)
12/30 QDM. 124˚-304˚
.... 1130 x 33 yds.
17/35 QDM. 169˚-349˚
.... 1150 x 33 yds.
note: W. end of runway 08/26 is to be curtailed in
accordance with A.F.O. 3594/47. |
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TRACKS |
The western ends of the runways are connected to the
hangars and workshops by 40' tracks.
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OBSTRUCTIONS |
Navigation |
None. |
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Circuit |
None. |
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Approach |
None.
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APPROACH |
Recommended sector, mean QDM 240˚
(Changed to 135˚ after 1953)
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WIND INDICATOR |
Windsocks outside the perimeter track on the NE., and
SE. sides of the airfield. |
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HOMING - VISUAL |
By day |
None. |
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By night |
Pundit on request. (Withdrawn after 1953)
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HOMING--RADIO |
D/F |
M/F, H/F and VH/F. (Withdrawn after 1953) |
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Beacons |
YG., 251 MS. (Withdrawn after 1953)
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APPROACH - VISUAL |
By day |
None. |
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By night |
Airfield lighting (Naval).
1953 - Portable
emergency lighting only |
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APPROACH - RADIO |
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COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT |
M/F & H/F |
8 transmitters, 8 receivers.
(Withdrawn after 1953) |
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VH/F |
4 transmitters, 4 receivers.
After 1953
reduced to 2 transmitters and receivers. |
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CALL SIGNS |
R/T |
ARBROATH |
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W/T |
GZI |
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Identity letters
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AO
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GROUND RADAR |
None.
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ACCOMMODATION |
Living quarters in camp on NW corner of the airfield.
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Capacity: |
1946 |
Austerity |
Interim |
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Officers: |
202 |
144 |
144 |
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Chiefs, P.O.s and ratings: |
602* |
1,638 |
1,056 |
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W.R.N.S. Officers: |
20 |
21 |
20 |
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W.R.N.S. Chiefs, P.O.s and ratings; |
176 |
240 |
168 |
*Accommodation for 544 of the above ratings
(apprentices) is at RNAS East Haven (sleeping only).
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ARMOURIES |
To 2 squadron scale.
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COMPASS BASE |
Two, on the N. side of the lancing area. (1) Fixed.
Diameter 70' (2) rotatable. Diameter 50'.
1950s - one 100', second 70' |
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DISPERSAL |
Area to N. end of runway 17/35 with limited covers
accommodation known locally as Peebles dispersal.
Not used after 1953. |
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HANGARS |
in groups on the W. and S. sides of the airfield. (only
S. site in use by 1960)
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Number /Type |
Size |
Door Height |
Door Width |
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9 x Bellman
(only 3 in use by 1960) |
187½' x 106' |
26' |
106' |
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1 Training Workshop |
250' x 110' |
25' |
110' |
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MEDICAL |
Sick bay on the W. side of the airfield near the main
hangar area.
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METEOROLOGICAL |
Office in Control building. Limited meteorological
service by Naval personnel.
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FUEL AND OIL |
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Aviation: |
72.000 gallons in two installations of 36.00 gallons
each. |
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M/T: |
4.000 gallons. |
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Oil : |
4.000 gallons.. |
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TEST BASE |
Radar diagram base available. Radar maintenance
facilities for 5 squadrons.
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TEST BUTT |
N. side of landing area.
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WORKSHOPS |
Limited facilities for squadron support in training
workshops. Mark NU 8 Universal Test Bench situated SE.
of runway 03/21 (until 1953).
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VISITORS |
Visitors parking area.
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EXPLOSIVES |
Explosives area E. of landing area, adjacent to '35' end
of runway 17/35.
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BOMBING AND FIRING RANGES |
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Air to air |
Two (withdrawn by 1953) |
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Air to ground and
Practice bombing |
At Leuchars ranges by arrangement with R.A.F. Leuchars
(withdrawn by 1953) |
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Live and practice bombing |
None. |
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Assault training |
None. |
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Information taken from CB 4368 B. Admiralty Handbook
of Naval Air Stations Aug. 45, B.R. 1807 Handbook of Royal
Naval Air Stations Dec. 48 & September 1955
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List of first and second line squadrons, station
flight and other flying units based at this location |
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703
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A Flight "Clockwork Mice"
Moved from RNAS Ford 22.02.54. Returned to RNAS Ford
30.06.54
Equipped with 6 x Firefly AS 6?
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735 |
ASV Training Unit
Detachment (?) operated at Arbroath 28.08.44 to
15.04.45 when it returned to RNAS Burscough.
Equipped with Barracuda and Anson.
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737 |
ASV Training Unit
Moved here from RNAS Inskip 28.08.44 moved to
RNAS
Burscough 15.04.45
Equipped with Swordfish and Anson.
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740
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740 Observer Training Squadron (No.2 Observer
Training School)
Formed here 04.05.43 Disbanded here 05.08.43
Equipped with Walrus, Kingfisher and Swordfish.
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741
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741 Observer Training Squadron(No.2 Observer
Training School)
Formed here 01.03.43 Disbanded here 19.03.45
Equipped with Swordfish.
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751
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Observer Training Squadron(No.2 Observer Training
School)
Moved here 19.08.40. Operated from the Satellite
station at RNAS Dundee from 13.08.41. Disbanded 02.05.44.
Equipped with Walrus.
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753 |
Observer Training Squadron(No.2 Observer Training
School)
Moved here from RNAS
Lee-on-Solentt 19.08.40. moved
to RNAS Rattray 01.11.45
Equipped initially with Sharks, later replaced by
Albacore and Swordfish, finally ASV Barracuda.
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754 |
Observer Training Squadron(No.2 Observer Training
School)
Moved here from RNAS
Lee-on-Solent 07.09.40.
Disbanded 27.03.44.
Equipped with Albacore, Harvard IIb, Lysander III,
Proctor, Reliant and Swordfish.
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758 |
Telegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron (No. 2 Air
Gunners School)
Moved here from RNAS Eastleigh 14.10.40. Disbanded
01.02.41.
Equipped with Proctor, Roc and Skuas.
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767
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Deck Landing Training Squadron (DLT School)
Regrouped at Arbroath .8.07.40 Moved to
RNAS East
Haven 05.05.43
Equipped with Albacores and Swordfish.
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768 |
Deck Landing Training Squadron (DLT School)
Formed here 13.01.41. Moves to
RNAS Machrihanish
01.03.43.
Equipped with Fulmar, Martlet, Sea Hurricane,
Spitfire Vb (hooked) and Swordfish.
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769
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Deck Landing Training Squadron (DLT School)
Formed here 29.11.41. Moved to
RNAS East
Haven
07.11.43
Equipped with Albacores and Swordfish.
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770
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Fleet Requirements Unit
Detachment (?) operated here 3-14.09.45 from RNAS
Drem.
Equipment Mosquito B.XXV.
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771
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Fleet Requirements Unit
Detachment (?) operated here 13.10.48 - 03.09.51
from RNAS Lee-on-Solent
Equipment Mosquito FB.6 & PR.16?
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772
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Fleet Requirements Unit (North)
Detachment (?) 16.10.45 to 10.01.46 from
RNAS Ayr.
Detachment (?) 10.01.46 to ??.07.46 from
RNAS
Burscough
Entire squadron moved here from
RNAS Anthorn 26.06.47. Disbanded 13.10.48
Equipped with Martinett TT.I, Wildcat, Seafire,
Mosquito B.XXV, Mosquito PR.16, Mosquito PR.34.
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778
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Service Trials Unit
Moved here from RNAS
Lee-on-Solent 06.07.40. Moved
to RNAS Crail 05.03.43
Moved here from RNAS Crail15.08.44. Mover to
RNAS
Gosport 09.08.45
Equipped with all aircraft types operated by, and
evaluated by, the Fleet Air Arm.
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791
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Air Target Towing Unit
Formed here 15.10.40. Disbanded 10.12.44.
Equipped with Defiant TT.III, Roc I, Skua II,
Swordfish I & II, Albacore, Sea Gladiator, Sea
Hurricane, Spitfire I.
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800 |
Fleet Fighter Squadron
'Y' flight moved here from
RNAS Lee-on-Solent and
operated here 02-12.05.41 before moving to RNAS
Abbotsinch.
Entire squadron disembarked from HMS FURIOUS 05.08.41. Moved toRNAS
Lee-on-Solentt 11.08.41.
Equipped with 9 Fulmar I ('Y' flt 3 x Fulmar I).
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801 |
Fleet Fighter Squadron
Moved here from RNAS Culdrose 30.04.48. Moved to
RNAS Anthorn 21.05.48
Equipped with 12 x Sea Hornet F.20.
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802 |
Single Seat Fighter Squadron
Reformed here 01.05.45. Moved to RNAS Twatt
21.06.45.
Equipped with 24 Seafire L.III.
Reformed here 01.02.53. Embarked in HMS THESEUS
29.04.53.
Equipped with 12 x Sea Fury FB.11.
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803 |
Single Seat Fighter Squadron
Reformed here 15.06.45. Moved to
RNAS Nutts Corner
23.09.45
Equipped with 25 x Seafire L.III.
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807 |
Single Seat Fighter Squadron
Moved here from RNAS
Lee-on-Solent 15.06.51 to
reform on 04.07.51. Embarked in HMS OCEAN 24.07.51.
Equipped with 8 x Sea Fury FB.11.
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809 |
Night Fighter Squadron
Disembarked from HMS VENGEANCE 18.06. to 05.07.50.
Equipped with 8 Sea Hornet NF.21.
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810 |
Torpedo, Bomber, Reconnaissance Squadron
Disembarked from HMS ARK ROYAL08 - 29.10.40
Equipped with 12 x Swordfish.
Anti Submarine Squadron
Disembarked from HMS THESEUS 29.05.51 to regroup and
re-equip. Embarked HMS Ocean 25.07.51
Equipped with 12 Firefly A.S.5.
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811 |
Torpedo, Bomber, Reconnaissance Squadron
Moved here from RNAS
Lee-on-Solent 01.11.41. Moved
to RNAS Machrihanish 16.03.42.
Equipped initially with 12 x Chesapeake and 2 x Sea
Hurricanes but replaced by 6 x Swordfish II in
November 1941.
Single Seat Fighter Squadron
Reformed here 17.08.53 Moved to RAF Leuchars
19.08.53.
Equipped with 12 x Sea Fury FB.11.
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813 |
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814 |
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815 |
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818 |
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819 |
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820 |
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821 |
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824 |
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825 |
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826 |
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841 |
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845 |
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846 |
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880 |
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883 |
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885 |
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898 |
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1771 |
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PAGE UNDER
CONSTRUCTION
Click here for a list of
Primary sources
Additional sources:
Admiralty Fleet Orders:
P.57.53 BR 18907 December 1948 Amendment No.18
p.384/60 BR 18907 March 1960 Amendment No.6
Confidential Admiralty Fleet Orders:
AFO 48/46 R.N. Aircraft
Training Establishment, Newcastle-under-Lyme-Removal; to
R.N. Air Station Arbroath
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SORS VARIA,
OPUS IDEM
(OUR LOT VARIES, OUR TASK IS
ONE)
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View Larger Map
Aerial view of RNAS Arbroath taken in June 1945.
A Lend Lease American Vought-Sikorsky Kingfisher aircraft going
down the slipway at Arbroath, to set out on patrol. © IWM (A
19568)
A range of Fairey Albacores, flown by naval pilots learning
deck landing, ready for take off at HMS CONDOR. Note the dummy
aircraft carrier island, a single deck© IWM (A 19574)
The deck landing control officer gives a Fairey Albacore
pilot the signal to cut his engine during deck landing practice
at Arbroath. © IWM (A 19577)
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Comments (1)
Also I find the airfield details strange. Condor had (has) 5 runways, not 4. There are two 08/26 runways, L and R, one being much shorter. This one has a dummy deck painted on it. It is clearly visible on the airfield image.