RAF Elgin
RAF Elgin | |
---|---|
Elgin, Moray, Scotland | |
RAF Elgin | |
Coordinates | 57°40′26″N 3°13′52″W / 57.674°N 3.231°W |
Type | Satellite airfield |
Site information | |
Owner | Air Ministry |
Controlled by | Royal Air Force |
Site history | |
Built | 1940 |
In use | 1940-1947 |
Battles/wars | Second World War |
Garrison information | |
Garrison | RAF Fighter Command |
RAF Elgin is a former Royal Air Force satellite airfield located 3 miles (4.8 km) south west of Elgin, Moray, Scotland, to the east of the B9010, in the area bounded by Pittendreich in the North, Wester Manbeen in the west, Easter Manbeen to the south and the River Lossie to the east.
History
The airfield was built as a satellite to RAF Lossiemouth, and was completed in early June 1940. As an early war airfield, it had no hard runways, but otherwise had all of the facilities and dispersed sites of similar later stations in other parts of Britain. Twenty circular hard-standings were spaced around the perimeter track, some connected to it, with others simply circles on the grass. On its completion, due to the threat of invasion, the field was obstructed by the Royal Engineers, to prevent enemy landings. As No. 20 Operational Training Unit RAF at Lossiemouth expanded, Elgin was cleared and became available for use on 30 June 1940.
The airfield was used to store surplus aircraft from 1945 and was closed in 1947.
Units
- No. 17 Squadron RAF.[1]
- No. 57 Squadron RAF.[2]
- No. 232 Squadron RAF.[3]
- No. 19 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit.[4]
- No. 20 Operational Training Unit RAF (OTU).[4]
- No. 45 Maintenance Unit RAF (MU).[4]
- No. 46 MU.[4]
References
Citations
- ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 30.
- ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 43.
- ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 74.
- 1 2 3 4 "Elgin II (Bogs of Mayne)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
Bibliography
- Jefford, C.G, MBE, BA, RAF (Retd). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.