RAF Woodvale

RAF Woodvale
HMS Ringtail II
Near Woodvale, Merseyside in England
EGOW
Shown within Merseyside
Coordinates 53°34′54″N 003°03′20″W / 53.58167°N 3.05556°W / 53.58167; -3.05556Coordinates: 53°34′54″N 003°03′20″W / 53.58167°N 3.05556°W / 53.58167; -3.05556
Type Royal Air Force station
Site information
Owner Ministry of Defence
Operator Royal Air Force
Site history
Built 1941 (1941)
In use 1941-Present
Airfield information
Identifiers ICAO: EGOW
Elevation 11 metres (36 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
03/21 1,647 metres (5,404 ft) Asphalt
08/26 1,068 metres (3,504 ft) Asphalt

Royal Air Force Woodvale or RAF Woodvale (ICAO: EGOW) is a Royal Air Force Station located 4 mi (6.4 km) next to the town of Formby in an area called Woodvale- just South of Southport, Merseyside. Although constructed as an all-weather night fighter airfield for the defence of Liverpool, it did not open until 7 December 1941 which was just after the Liverpool Blitz, which had peaked in May.[1]

The Second World War

During the Second World War RAF squadrons were brought up from the south of England to 'rest' for short periods, during which time they defended Merseyside. 308 (Krakowski) Squadron was the first to arrive, on 12 December 1941, from RAF Northolt before leaving on 1 April 1942.[2] Squadrons were rotated regularly. Several were Polish, including 315 (Dęblinski) Sqn and 317 (Wilenski) Sqn. Spitfire IIs and Vbs were operated by these units.[3]

Support units working with all three Services also served there, calibrating anti-aircraft guns and towing targets for the Royal Navy. In April 1945, Woodvale briefly became a Tender for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm airfield at Burscough, HMS Ringtail, being given the name HMS Ringtail II.[4]

Post war

10 AEF Grob Tutor and hangar at RAF Woodvale.

After a period of inactivity, Woodvale reopened on 22 July 1946, when the Spitfire F14s of No. 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, moved here from Liverpool Airport at Speke. The squadron re-equipped with Spitfire F22s in February 1949. Gloster Meteor F.4 and F.8 jets were flown between May 1951 until 9 July 1951. Because of the need for better facilities, the Squadron moved to RAF Hooton Park, joining No. 610 Squadron, where it remained until its disbandment on 10 March 1957.The Temperature and Humidity Flight, operating Spitfires and Mosquitos, was based there from 1953 to 1958.[5]

1957 the British legend, the Spitfire made its last operational flight, in active British military markings, from RAF Woodvale.[1]

No. 5 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Unit moved to Woodvale on 1 January 1958, and operated target-towing Meteors until 30 September 1971 when the unit was disbanded.[6]

Training station

Since 1971, RAF Woodvale has remained a training station and is currently home to:

Manchester University Air Squadron Bulldog T.1 at RAF Woodvale in 1983

The current station commander is Squadron Leader Edwards.[11]

Woodvale Rally

In 1971, RAF Woodvale hosted the first annual Woodvale International Rally.[12] The event is a charitable event, that originally began as a model aircraft show. It has grown over the years to include car clubs with both classic cars, vintage cars and other vehicle displays. It usually occupies the first weekend in August.[13] The 2012 rally had to be re-located and re-scheduled[14] to nearby Victoria Park, Southport, Merseyside, on safety grounds. Asbestos was discovered from old World War II structures[15] that had been buried long ago.[16]

Merseyside Police Air Support Group

Basing the Merseyside Air Support Group at RAF Woodvale made the station something of a target for criminals. Just before 2230 on Friday 9 October 2009 a window of the helicopter was smashed and petrol poured inside causing the helicopter to be grounded.[17]

On 17 May 2010 the Merseyside Police helicopter was again attacked and grounded, after four masked intruders broke into the airbase at around 04:00 causing what was described as minor damage.[18]

As part of the reorganisation of Police Air Support in England and Wales and the formation of the National Police Air Service, Merseyside operationally retired its dedicated Police helicopter G-XMII in July 2011.[19] Cover would then be provided with four aircraft from Cheshire, Lancashire, North Wales and Greater Manchester, the nearest to Merseyside being based at Hawarden Airport with G-XMII providing back up.[20] From 1 June 2012 Merseyside Police signed a four-year lease with Norwegian Police Service for the helicopter in response to the 2011 terrorist attack.[20]

See also

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 Local Newspaper
  2. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 85.
  3. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 86.
  4. ↑ "Woodvale". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  5. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 100.
  6. ↑ Lake 1999, p. 48.
  7. 1 2 3 "Who is based here". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  8. 1 2 "RAF Woodvale". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Welcome to 631 Volunteer Gliding Squadron". 631 Volunteer Gliding Squadron. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "611westlancashire".
  11. ↑ "Metropolitan Borough of Sefton mayoral engagements". Sefton Council. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  12. ↑
  13. ↑ "Whats On - Woodvale Rally". Sefton Council. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  14. ↑ Local Newspaper report
  15. ↑ Local Newspaper report
  16. ↑ "Press Release". Woodvale Rally. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  17. ↑ "Liverpool Daily Post". Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  18. ↑ "Liverpool Echo". Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  19. ↑ "Liverpool Echo". Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  20. 1 2 "Norwegian Police lease second EC135". Retrieved 15 June 2013.

Bibliography

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