RAF Base or Station?

[Ken Scott]

When the USAF extended the Brize runway, did they ever consider the effect of having a railway across it? On the face of it, it is apparently a somewhat silly thing to do: if you have an aircraft needing an emergency landing and there's a train in the section, it may not be possible to stop the train in time....

Not really an issue, the extended runway runs parallel to the railway, the cross runway might have been affected had it been lengthened but has been disused for a long time.

At Ballykelly the track ran across the end of the runway:

RAF Ballykelly opened in June 1941 during the Second World War as an airfield for RAF Coastal Command. In 1943, the main runway was extended and acquired an unusual characteristic in that it crossed an active railway line. Rules were put in place giving trains the right of way over landing aircraft.

.
(Source: Wikipedia).

[Davef68]

Originally Posted by serf

The Army are now based at Leuchars Station…

That's a weird one really, It's the only British Army establishment in the UK called 'somethingf' Station. It's usually Barracks or occasionally Fort, Lines or Camp.Apparently due to the population being larger than a barracks but smaller than a garrison, and to reflect the fact there was still an RAF presence.

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news...iven-new-name/

[Davef68]

Originally Posted by Warmtoast

My Record of Service (RAF Form 543R) that I requested a copy of quite a few years ago shows that I was posted to a "Unit" - not a Base or Station- see attached.

Presumably to allow for the fact that not all Units are based on Stations, or that many Stations may have more than one Unit?

[ZH875]

The 1945 Google Earth image of Wyton contains the V Bomber dispersals, the V Bomber runway extension across the old Ramsey Road, and at least 7 Canberra aircraft. Suspect its much later than 1/1/1945

[MPN11]

Originally Posted by ZH875

The 1945 Google Earth image of Wyton contains the V Bomber dispersals, the V Bomber runway extension across the old Ramsey Road, and at least 7 Canberra aircraft. Suspect its much later than 1/1/1945

Ah-ha … my trust in Google Earth is destroyed! Thanks for that input.

[Coltishall. loved it]

Not sure if true or not, But allegedly RAF Coltishall was originally going to be RAF Buxton but "they" were worried many would rock up in Derbyshire

[downsizer]

I'm loathe to contribute to these Jet Blast threads that keep appearing in the Mil Aviation forum, but in the Rock Ape world isn't Honington referred to as the Depot?

[BEagle]

York appears to have been a destination on the Brize Norton & Bampton to Carterton section of the Fairford Branch Line some 75 years ago.....

[vortexadminman]

Originally Posted by ZH875

The 1945 Google Earth image of Wyton contains the V Bomber dispersals, the V Bomber runway extension across the old Ramsey Road, and at least 7 Canberra aircraft. Suspect its much later than 1/1/1945

Really you can see photos of 1945 stations?? please tell how do you do that. That is fascinating !

[Bosi72]

Originally Posted by langleybaston

When I was attached as a civvy, it was always to an RAF (name follows) and called a station, with a Staish.

My granddaughter, newly minted as RAF Regiment Reserve refers to RAF Honington as a base. I think that is an Americanism.

Before I berate her, should I perhaps move with the times? I hope not.

Anyway, she is bigger than I am [most people are].

Hollywood influence..

For example emergency phone numbers around the world are different (eg 000 in Australia), however most countries have also 911 redirected to their local numbers, because kids watching movies and that's the only number they know.

[MPN11]

Originally Posted by vortexadminman

Really you can see photos of 1945 stations?? please tell how do you do that. That is fascinating !

There’s a button on the toolbar (desktop version) that loads a slider/Time Machine) Can’t recall what it’s called … about 6 buttons in from the left. Not universal coverage, as you will see!

[langleybaston]

Regarding "Staish". in use in RAFG in my Gutersloh prime c. 1970 but not before in Cyprus or UK.

My wartime RAF father 1939-45 used "Groupy".

I think SWO or Swo-man has been around for yonks.

But then yonks has had its day I suppose.

[Tocsin]

Originally Posted by BEagle

York appears to have been a destination on the Brize Norton & Bampton to Carterton section of the Fairford Branch Line some 75 years ago.....

Another rail company excuse: "delays due to ailerons on the line"

[pineridge]

I lived at R.A.F. Marham for five years and never heard it described as a "base"; there was a large U.S.A.F detachment there, so maybe that`s where the description "base" came from. R.A.F Lakenheath, Mildenhall etc. were totally U.S.A.F bases and descibed as such.

[Headstone]

Re naming of airfields and the nearest village. When I first went to Wattisham in 1970 the lady we rented a house from in Lavenham called it Ringshall airfield. As far as I remember the airfield was in an area halfway between the two villages. Only heard two or thre other people call it that and they were the older ones.

[langleybaston]

I always thought that Watton was a rotten name.

[Shackeng]

Originally Posted by Warmtoast

My Record of Service (RAF Form 543R) that I requested a copy of quite a few years ago shows that I was posted to a "Unit" - not a Base or Station- see attached.

Abingdon in ‘58! 47 or 53?

[MPN11]

Originally Posted by langleybaston

I always thought that Watton was a rotten name.

Seven years there ... nice Station, uninspiring village! I wonder where the railway went?

[ZH875]

Originally Posted by MPN11

Seven years there ... nice Station, uninspiring village! I wonder where the railway went?

The line ran from Swaffam to Thetford

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoo...&layers=10&b=7

[fedex727]

Ah, I've also been stationed at stations which had on- and off-base married quarters and where a lot of people ended up being confined to camp...