RAF Ashbourne

Royal Air Force Ashbourne, or more simply RAF Ashbourne, is a former Royal Air Force station located approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south-east of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England.[2]

RAF Ashbourne
Ashbourne, Derbyshire in England
RAF Ashbourne is located in Derbyshire
RAF Ashbourne
RAF Ashbourne
Shown within Derbyshire
Coordinates53°00′25″N 001°42′25″W
TypeRoyal Air Force station
CodeAS[1]
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byRAF Army Cooperation Command 1942-43
RAF Fighter Command 1943-
* No. 38 Wing RAF
* No. 38 (Airborne Forces) Group RAF
Site history
Built1942 (1942)
In useJuly 1942-1954 (1954)
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Elevation180 metres (591 ft)[1] AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
02/20 1,460 metres (4,790 ft) Concrete
09/27 1,460 metres (4,790 ft) Concrete
14/32 2,370 metres (7,776 ft) Concrete

It was opened on 12 June 1942, before closing on 23 August 1954.[3]

Construction

Construction of the airfield began in late 1941 to Class-A bomber standards comprising three paved runways (concrete and woodchip surface) in an "leaning A" formation, 30 "frying-pan" style hard standings, four T2 hangars, a control tower and assorted technical buildings. Although at 610 feet (190 m) AMSL the altitude of the area was above the ceiling height for construction of airfields, the necessity of defensive installations during the Second World War overrode this condition.[4]

History

Ashbourne was home to Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle and Bristol Blenheim aircraft.[5]

Originally planned as a satellite installation of RAF Seighford for Vickers Wellington bombers, due to the unsuitability of altitude and local weather it was relegated to a training role with its own satellite of RAF Darley Moor.

Post war it was used for storage and maintenance of ordnance where the bombs were stored along the runways.[6]

Based units

There were three small units in operation based at Ashbourne:

Current use

The western half of the site is now an industrial estate, appropriately named Airfield Industrial Estate. The northern half has been used by JCB as a test and demonstration ground for various earth moving products but is now deserted. The north western part of the airfield is now a housing estate.

On the South-East side, part of one runway remains usable, and a 2017 document mentioned 5 aeroplanes based[11]

References

Citations
  1. Falconer 2012, p. 37.
  2. "RAF Ashbourne, Derbyshire". Airfield Archaeology. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  3. "RAF Ashbourne". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  4. "Ashbourne Airfield". Ashbourne Heritage Society. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  5. "Escape into The WAAF's". BBC WW2 People's War. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  6. "Mustard gas killed everything as it was burnt off on Buxton hills". This is Derbyshire. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  7. Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 43.
  8. Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 240.
  9. Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 244.
  10. Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 206.
  11. https://www.laasdata.com/uploads/The-LAAS-British-Isles-Airfield-Guide.pdf

Bibliography
  • Falconer, J (2012). RAF Airfields of World War 2. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-349-5.
  • Sturtivant, R; Hamlin, J; Halley, J (1997). Royal Air Force flying training and support units. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-252-1.
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