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-   -   RAF Base or Station? (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/643747-raf-base-station.html)

Ken Scott 16th Nov 2021 12:55


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 16th Nov 2021 13:27


Originally Posted by serf (Post 11142957)
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 16th Nov 2021 13:29


Originally Posted by Warmtoast (Post 11142943)
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 16th Nov 2021 15:02

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 16th Nov 2021 15:59


Originally Posted by ZH875 (Post 11143051)
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 16th Nov 2021 16:56

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 16th Nov 2021 18:36

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 16th Nov 2021 18:45

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e6e69dd6d0.jpg

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 16th Nov 2021 19:32


Originally Posted by ZH875 (Post 11143051)
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 16th Nov 2021 19:38


Originally Posted by langleybaston (Post 11142623)
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 16th Nov 2021 19:49


Originally Posted by vortexadminman (Post 11143172)
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 16th Nov 2021 20:20

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 16th Nov 2021 20:30


Originally Posted by BEagle (Post 11143155)
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e6e69dd6d0.jpg

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" :D

pineridge 16th Nov 2021 20:56

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 16th Nov 2021 21:13

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 16th Nov 2021 22:29

I always thought that Watton was a rotten name.

Shackeng 17th Nov 2021 07:03


Originally Posted by Warmtoast (Post 11142943)
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.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....6aec98859f.jpg

Abingdon in ‘58! 47 or 53?

MPN11 17th Nov 2021 08:58


Originally Posted by langleybaston (Post 11143246)
I always thought that Watton was a rotten name.

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

ZH875 17th Nov 2021 09:25


Originally Posted by MPN11 (Post 11143420)
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 17th Nov 2021 09:47

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...:rolleyes:


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