| RAF Davidstow Moor | |
|---|---|
| Command: | Coastal Command |
| Function: | Operational, Parent |
| Runways: | 304 deg 2,000 x 50yd
248 deg 1,400 x 50yd 210 deg 1,400 x 50yd |
| Runway surface: | Concrete |
| Hangars: | T.2 x 3 |
| Dispersals: | 50 x Concrete 130 ft diam |
| Personnel: | Officers - 302 (4 WAAF)
Other Ranks - 2 958 (508 WAAF) |
| Coordinates: | SX 150 850 |
RAF Davidstow Airfield - 2 June 1951
RAF Davidstow Moor was an airbase at Davidstow near Camelford in Cornwall, United Kingdom from late 1942 until 1945. Despite a few periods of intense activity it was one of Coastal Command's less-used airfields.
History[]
The land was acquired in 1941 and a three-runway airfield with extensive dispersal area was constructed in the first half of 1942. Despite the moorland conditions construction was reasonably straightforward, although it did involve the removal of various field boundaries, the closure of minor roads and some drainage work.
The airfield was closed in December 1945 to become a motor racing circuit, known as Davidstow Circuit. In the early 1950s three Formula One races were held there (the Cornwall MRC Formula 1 Races) including the first success for the Lotus marque.
Squadrons Stationed at RAF Davidstow Moor[]
Royal Air Force[]
| Squadron | Dates Stationed | Planes Used | Duties |
| 53 Sqn | 1 January 1943 – 18 February 1943 | Lockheed Hudson | |
| 144 Sqn | 10 May 1944 – 1 July 1944 | Bristol Beaufighter | Covered the west flank of the Normandy landings. Helped to destroy the German naval forces in Western France |
| 206 Sqn | 18 March 1944 – 12 April 1944 | B-24 Liberator, B-17 Flying Fortress | |
| 269 Sqn | 8 January 1944 – 8 March 1944 | Lockheed Hudson, Supermarine Walrus | Air-sea rescue duties |
| 281 Sqn det | December 1943 - February 1945 | Vickers Warwick | Air sea rescue duties |
| 282 Sqn | 1 February 1944 – 19 September 1944 | Vickers Warwick | Air sea rescue duties |
| 304 Sqn | 7 June 1943 – 13 December 1943 | Vickers Wellington | Anti-submarine patrols over the Bay of Biscay |
| 524 Sqn | 7 April 1944 – 1 July 1944 | Vickers Wellington | Patrols against E-Boats off the French coast |
| 547 Sqn | 31 May 1943 – 25 October 1943 | Vickers Wellington | Anti-submarine patrols over the Bay of Biscay |
| 612 Sqn | 12 April 1943 – 25 May 1943 | Vickers Wellington | Anti-submarine patrols over the Channel and the Bay of Biscay |
| 1603 Flt | 16 December 1942 – 27 January 1943 | Hawker Henley | Target towing |
Royal Canadian Air Force[]
Bristol Beaufighter Mk X. This machine is NE255/EE-H of No. 404 Squadron RCAF at RAF Davidstow Moor on 21 August 1944
- 404 Sqn 8 May 1944 - September 1944 Bristol Beaufighter
RAF Davidstow Moor today[]
The main control tower is clearly visible on the airfield.
Davidstow Airfield and Cornwall at War Museum[]
More recently the Davistow Airfield, ICAO XDAV,[1] and Cornwall at War Museum has been set up to commemorate the work and people of RAF Davidstow Moor. It is located next to a creamery where Davidstow and Cathedral City cheeses are produced. Many exhibits cover life in World War II in Cornwall, including other airfields along the North Cornwall coast, the Royal Navy, Army civilian services, and life on the home front. Other exhibits include artifacts from the Royal Observer Corps and the Light Infantry, vehicles and weapons.
The airfield is mow used for microlights and motor gliders [2] with three runways in use. The runway lengths and directions are: 02-20, 395m, 06-24, 489m, 12-30, 1450m. PPR is essential for this site. It is currently run by Davidstow Flying Club, Tel: 01840 261517.
References[]
- Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 200 Newquay & Bodmin ISBN 978-0-319-22938-5
- Delve, Ken The Military Airfields of Britain, South-Western England: Channel Islands, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire. ISBN 1-86126-810-6
- A Guide to Airfields of South Western England. Baron Jay Publishers[citation needed]
- Keast, David C. Memories and Records of RAF Davidstow Moor, Cornwall. [Camelford: the Author?]
- Knight, Rod & Anne. RAF Davidstow Moor 1942 to 1945. A Wartime History ISBN 978-0-9576112-0-7
- ↑ http://airportguide.com/airport/United_Kingdom/England/Davidstow_Moor-XDAV/runways.php Airport Guide
- ↑ http://www.airfieldcards.com/index.php/airfields-delta/davidstowmoor Data Card with up to date information
External links[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to RAF Davidstow Moor. |
- www.rafdavidstowmoor.com RAF Davidstow Moor
- Cached Version of the above websites homepage
- Davistow Airfield and Cornwall at War Museum
- www.controltowers.co.uk RAF Davidstow Moor
- worldwar2airfields.fotopic.net RAF Davidstow Moor[dead link]
Coordinates: 50°38′07″N 4°37′03″W / 50.63526°N 4.61748°W
The original article can be found at RAF Davidstow Moor and the edit history here.