RAF Errol
RAF Errol | |||||||||||||||||||
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IATA: none – ICAO: X6EL[1] | |||||||||||||||||||
Summary | |||||||||||||||||||
Airport type | Military | ||||||||||||||||||
Operator | Royal Air Force | ||||||||||||||||||
Location | Errol, Perth and Kinross, Scotland | ||||||||||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 16 ft / 5 m | ||||||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 56°24′20″N 003°10′48″W / 56.40556°N 3.18000°WCoordinates: 56°24′20″N 003°10′48″W / 56.40556°N 3.18000°W | ||||||||||||||||||
Map | |||||||||||||||||||
RAF Errol Location in Perth and Kinross | |||||||||||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||||||||||
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RAF Errol (aka Errol airfield) is a World War II airfield near the village of Errol in Perth & Kinross, Scotland, on the north bank of the Firth of Tay approximately half way between Perth and Dundee. The airfield opened in January 1943.[2] Errol housed No. 305 Ferry Training Unit as a special air training /conversion/ unit for the Soviet crews receiving deliveries of Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles. This joint operation continued until April 1944, despite cancellation of Albemarle deliveries in September, 1943.
The military role of Errol airfield ended in 1948, shortly after the end of World War II. The airfield featured three runways arranged in an 'A' shape which are still visible today from the air. Many of the buildings around the airfield are now derelict or in a state of poor repair. The RAF station originally featured a control tower and 6 hangars. The Errol side of the airfield now has a small industrial estate with a haulage company and a garden supplies wholesaler currently in residence. As of 2007 only one runway appears to be in service for light aircraft for activities such as skydiving. Vintage car rallies and other events requiring large flat open spaces take place at the airfield throughout the year. A weekly car boot sale is held every Sunday, which, in the summer months, is one of the largest in Scotland.
References
- ↑ Bones Aviation Page: A Catalogue of UK Airfields
- ↑ ControlTowers.co.uk (1 May 2007). "RAF Errol".
External links
- Control Towers Website: RAF Errol
- Photographs: Photos and archaeological information of control tower.
- Photographs: RAF Errol in the 1980s