List of Royal Air Force Satellite Landing Grounds

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Ensign of the British Royal Air Force

A Satellite Landing Ground (SLG) is a type of British Royal Air Force (RAF) aviation facility that typically consists of an airfield with one or two grass runways which is designed throughout to be hidden from aerial observation by blending into forests and other natural features to hide the presence of aircraft and associated buildings. The landing grounds were mainly used by RAF Maintenance Units (MU) which used the areas to disperse aircraft to reduce the likelihood of attacks from the air. Some improvements and upgrades to aircraft were performed at these sites but overall it was kept to a minimum. Some support buildings came about by using requisitioned buildings on the land.[citation needed]

A satellite station is not the same as a Satellite Landing Ground.

The former No. 5 SLG Berrow
Open land on the former site of No. 5 SLG Berrow
Site 1 of the former No. 15 SLG Bodorgan
The Watch Office at the former No. 26 SLG Stravithie

Satellite Landing Grounds

[edit]
Number Name Location County Dates when used as a SLG Units
No. 1 SLG RAF Slade Farm 51°53′48″N 001°15′46″W / 51.89667°N 1.26278°W / 51.89667; -1.26278 Oxfordshire 1 December 1940–10 January 1946 Used by No. 39 MU RAF Colerne
No. 2 SLG RAF Starveall Farm 51°51′18″N 001°20′42″W / 51.85500°N 1.34500°W / 51.85500; -1.34500 Oxfordshire 14 June 1941–29 September 1945. Satellite to No. 39 MU RAF Colerne
No. 3 SLG RAF Middle Farm 52°00′01″N 001°05′00″W / 52.00028°N 1.08333°W / 52.00028; -1.08333 Oxfordshire 1 April 1941–10 January 1946 Used by 8 MU RAF Little Rissington
No. 4 SLG RAF Rudbaxton 51°53′00″N 004°56′00″W / 51.88333°N 4.93333°W / 51.88333; -4.93333 Pembrokeshire 1941–1943 Used by 38 MU[1]
No. 5 SLG RAF Berrow 52°00′15″N 002°16′45″W / 52.00417°N 2.27917°W / 52.00417; -2.27917 Worcestershire 1941–1945 No. 5 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Kemble between March 1941 and late 1941.
No. 20 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Aston Down between 1941 and August 1942.
No. 6 SLG RAF St Brides 51°26′00″N 003°35′00″W / 51.43333°N 3.58333°W / 51.43333; -3.58333 Glamorgan 1941–September 1945 No. 19 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF St Athan between 15 December 1940 and July 1945.
No. 7 SLG RAF Chepstow 51°39′13″N 002°41′19″W / 51.65361°N 2.68861°W / 51.65361; -2.68861 Monmouthshire 3 May 1941–December 1944 No. 19 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF St Athan from 13 May 1941 and 21 February 1942.
No. 38 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Llandow from 21 February 1942.[2]
No. 8 SLG RAF Hutton in the Forest 54°34′00″N 002°49′00″W / 54.56667°N 2.81667°W / 54.56667; -2.81667 Cumberland June 1941–August 1945 No. 22 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Silloth
No. 9 SLG RAF Hornby Hall 54°39′25″N 002°39′50″W / 54.65694°N 2.66389°W / 54.65694; -2.66389 Cumberland March 1941–July 1945 No. 18 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Dumfries between July 1940 and September 1940.
No. 22 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Silloth.
No. 12 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Kirkbride.[3]
No. 10 SLG RAF Wath Head 54°49′04″N 003°06′40″W / 54.81778°N 3.11111°W / 54.81778; -3.11111 Cumberland 1941–1 December 1945 No. 12 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Kirkbride between early 1941 and 12 January 1944.
No. 18 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Dumfries between 12 January 1944 and September 1945.
No. 11 SLG RAF Low Eldrig 54°49′00″N 004°58′00″W / 54.81667°N 4.96667°W / 54.81667; -4.96667 Wigtownshire 1 July 1941–September 1942 No. 18 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Dumfries.
No. 12 SLG RAF Beechwood Park 51°49′23″N 000°29′04″W / 51.82306°N 0.48444°W / 51.82306; -0.48444 Hertfordshire 1943–March 1946 No. 15 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Wroughton from mid 1943.
No. 13 SLG RAF Tatton Park 53°19′47″N 002°22′32″W / 53.32972°N 2.37556°W / 53.32972; -2.37556 Cheshire August 1941–May 1943 No. 48 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Hawarden
No. 51 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Lichfield.
No. 14 SLG RAF Overley Park 51°44′00″N 002°01′00″W / 51.73333°N 2.01667°W / 51.73333; -2.01667 Gloucestershire 1941–1944 For No. 20 MU until 1942, used by 10 MU in 1944.
No. 15 SLG RAF Bodorgan 53°11′06″N 004°25′45″W / 53.18500°N 4.42917°W / 53.18500; -4.42917 Gwynedd 1940–1944 For No. 48 MU
No. 16 SLG RAF Ballywalter 54°33′08″N 005°29′07″W / 54.55222°N 5.48528°W / 54.55222; -5.48528 Down 1941–1945 For No. 23 MU
No. 17 SLG RAF Maydown 55°02′00″N 007°14′23″W / 55.03333°N 7.23972°W / 55.03333; -7.23972 Londonderry 1941–1941 Used by 23 MU, developed into a full size airfield.
No. 18 SLG RAF St Angelo 54°24′56″N 007°39′05″W / 54.41556°N 7.65139°W / 54.41556; -7.65139 Fermanagh April 1941–September 1941 Used by 23 MU RAF Aldergrove but not used. Later became a fighter sector station.
No. 19 SLG RAF Murlough 54°15′00″N 005°54′00″W / 54.25000°N 5.90000°W / 54.25000; -5.90000 Down 1941–1945 Used by No. 23 MU
No. 20 SLG RAF Langford Lodge 54°37′02″N 006°18′11″W / 54.61722°N 6.30306°W / 54.61722; -6.30306 Antrim 1941–1942 Used by No. 23 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Aldergrove.[4] developed in a full size airfield.
No. 21 SLG RAF Ollerton 52°49′59″N 002°30′27″W / 52.83306°N 2.50750°W / 52.83306; -2.50750 Shropshire 1941–1942 Used by 29 MU, 37 MU and 27 MU from RAF Shawbury. Transferred to the Navy and renamed Hinstock/HMS Godwit.
No. 22 SLG RAF Barnsley Park 51°46′00″N 001°53′23″W / 51.76667°N 1.88972°W / 51.76667; -1.88972 Gloucestershire 1941–1945 Used by 6 MU then 5 MU
No. 23 SLG RAF Down Farm 51°35′00″N 002°15′00″W / 51.58333°N 2.25000°W / 51.58333; -2.25000 Gloucestershire 1941–1946 Used by 10 MU
No. 24 SLG RAF Methven 56°24′39″N 003°32′05″W / 56.41083°N 3.53472°W / 56.41083; -3.53472 Perthshire 1941–1944 Used by 44 MU
No. 25 SLG RAF Findo Gask 56°22′29″N 003°36′33″W / 56.37472°N 3.60917°W / 56.37472; -3.60917 Perthshire 1941–1942 No. 44 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Edzell. Developed into a full size airfield.
No. 26 SLG RAF Stravithie 56°18′00″N 002°45′00″W / 56.30000°N 2.75000°W / 56.30000; -2.75000 Fife 1941–1942 No. 44 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Edzell.
No. 27 SLG RAF Lennoxlove 55°55′59″N 002°45′08″W / 55.93306°N 2.75222°W / 55.93306; -2.75222 East Lothian 1941–1946 No. 18 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Dumfries.[5]
No. 28 SLG RAF Barton Abbey 51°55′13″N 001°20′03″W / 51.92028°N 1.33417°W / 51.92028; -1.33417 Oxfordshire 1943–1945 No. 39 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Colerne until March 1943.
No. 6 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Brize Norton from 1943.
No. 29 SLG RAF Hodnet 52°50′27″N 002°34′28″W / 52.84083°N 2.57444°W / 52.84083; -2.57444 Shropshire 1941–1945 Used by 24 MU, 37 MU, 51 MU and 27 MU from RAF Shawbury
No. 30 SLG RAF Brockton 52°37′00″N 002°25′00″W / 52.61667°N 2.41667°W / 52.61667; -2.41667 Shropshire 1941–1945 Used by 9 MU
No. 31 SLG RAF Everleigh 51°18′00″N 001°44′00″W / 51.30000°N 1.73333°W / 51.30000; -1.73333 Wiltshire 1941–1945 Used by 15 MU and 33 MU from RAF Lyneham from September 1942.
No. 32 SLG RAF Hoar Cross 52°47′40″N 001°49′23″W / 52.79444°N 1.82306°W / 52.79444; -1.82306 Staffordshire 1941–1945 Used by 51 MU
No. 33 SLG RAF Weston Park 52°41′14″N 002°17′12″W / 52.68722°N 2.28667°W / 52.68722; -2.28667 Shropshire 1941–1945 No. 27 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Shawbury, transferred to the Royal Navy.
No. 34 SLG RAF Woburn Park 51°59′19″N 000°36′01″W / 51.98861°N 0.60028°W / 51.98861; -0.60028 Bedfordshire 1941–1947 Used by 6 MU and 8 MU
No. 35 SLG RAF Blidworth 53°06′21″N 001°06′51″W / 53.10583°N 1.11417°W / 53.10583; -1.11417 Nottinghamshire 1941–1942 Used by 51 MU
No. 36 SLG RAF Winterseugh 55°01′00″N 003°19′00″W / 55.01667°N 3.31667°W / 55.01667; -3.31667 Dumfriesshire 1941–1942 Used by 18 MU
No. 37 SLG RAF Hardwick Park 53°10′18″N 001°18′07″W / 53.17167°N 1.30194°W / 53.17167; -1.30194 Derbyshire 1941–1943 Used by 27 MU and 51 MU
No. 38 SLG RAF Grove Park 53°18′42″N 000°53′57″W / 53.31167°N 0.89917°W / 53.31167; -0.89917 Nottinghamshire 1942–1945 Used by 51 MU and 27 MU
No. 39 SLG RAF Brayton Park 54°46′26″N 003°18′04″W / 54.77389°N 3.30111°W / 54.77389; -3.30111 Cumberland 1941–1946 Used by 12 MU
No. 40 SLG RAF Dornoch 57°52′20″N 004°01′35″W / 57.87222°N 4.02639°W / 57.87222; -4.02639 Ross & Cromarty 1941–1945 Used by 45 MU
No. 41 SLG RAF Kirkton 57°57′23″N 004°01′51″W / 57.95639°N 4.03083°W / 57.95639; -4.03083 Sutherland 1941–1945 No. 45 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF.[6]
No. 42 SLG RAF Black Isle 57°37′37″N 004°09′37″W / 57.62694°N 4.16028°W / 57.62694; -4.16028 Ross & Cromarty 1941–1945 Also known as Black Stand [7] Used by 46 MU
No. 43 SLG RAF Leanach 57°29′00″N 004°02′00″W / 57.48333°N 4.03333°W / 57.48333; -4.03333 Invernessshire 1941–1946 Used by 46 MU
No. 44 SLG RAF Bush Barn 51°39′42″N 001°29′03″W / 51.66167°N 1.48417°W / 51.66167; -1.48417 Oxfordshire 1941–1943 Used by 5 MU, later used by Royal Navy
No. 45 SLG RAF Townsend 51°27′00″N 001°53′00″W / 51.45000°N 1.88333°W / 51.45000; -1.88333 Wiltshire 1941–1943 No. 33 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Lyneham until September 1942
No. 15 Maintenance Unit RAF from RAF Wroughton from September 1942.
No. 46 SLG RAF Brinklow 52°24′00″N 001°23′00″W / 52.40000°N 1.38333°W / 52.40000; -1.38333 Warwickshire 1941–1944 Used by 29 MU
No. 47 SLG RAF Southgrove 51°19′00″N 001°41′00″W / 51.31667°N 1.68333°W / 51.31667; -1.68333 Wiltshire 1941 Was for 5 MU but was not used.
No. 48 SLG RAF Teddesley Park 52°44′19″N 002°04′52″W / 52.73861°N 2.08111°W / 52.73861; -2.08111 Staffordshire 1941–1946 Used by 27 MU
No. 49 SLG RAF Knowsley Park 53°25′56″N 002°49′55″W / 53.43222°N 2.83194°W / 53.43222; -2.83194 Lancashire 1941, 1942–1944 Used by 37 MU until declared unfit, later 48 MU

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ "Twentieth Century Military Sites: Airfields" (PDF). Cambria.org. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  2. ^ "Chepstow Racecourse". RCHMW. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  3. ^ "RAF Hornby Hall: Satellite Landing Ground". Russell W. Barnes. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  4. ^ "Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:". Ronald V. Archived from the original on 9 September 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Lennoxlove". East Lothian at War. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Kirkton Airfield". Scotlands Places. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Black Isle, Blackstand Airfield, Satellite Landing Ground". Scotlands Islands. Retrieved 30 November 2012.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Ashworth, C. Action Stations: Military airfields of the South West v. 5. Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1990. ISBN 1-85260-374-7.
  • Ashworth, C. Action Stations: Military airfields of the Central South and South East v. 9 Wellingborough, Nottinghamshire .Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1985. ISBN 0-85059-608-4.
  • Bowyer,M,J,F. Action Stations: Wartime military airfields of East Anglia 1939-1945 v. 1. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1979. ISBN 0-85059-335-2.
  • Bowyer,M,J,F. Action Stations: Military airfields of the Cotswolds and the Central Midlands v. 6.Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1983. ISBN 1-85260-431-X.
  • Halpenny,B,B. Action Stations: Military Airfields of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands v. 2. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1981. ISBN 0-85059-484-7.
  • Halpenny,B,B. Action Stations: Military airfields of Yorkshire v. 4. Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1982. ISBN 0-85059-532-0.
  • Halpenny,B,B. Action Stations: Military airfields of Greater London v. 8. Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1993. ISBN 1-85260-431-X.
  • Smith,D,J. Action Stations: Military airfields of Wales and the North West v. 3. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1990. ISBN 1-85260-375-5.
  • Smith,D,J. Action Stations: Military airfields of Scotland, the North East and Northern Ireland v. 7.Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1983. ISBN 0-85059-563-0.