Hello folks. THought I'd join this to gather info on an airfield near to me. My family has farmed the fields in and arround what was RAF Ayr on the West Coast of Scotland. Known locally as the Heathfield Aerodrome and officially later in the war years as HMS Wagtail, it is now almost completely re-developed with only two sections of former runways left visible today. There are however a couple of hanger bottoms and many other building foundations, drains, cabling, articles, air raid shelter components, spitfire wheels ! left in the areas we farm. I am trying to gather as much information on this airfield as I can, mainly plans of how it was contructed, photos from the war years, stories from decendants of personel who were posted there. It was used by front line fighter squadrons as rest and recooperation, as a base for the air gunnery schools and by Ferry Command. THere was a WREN / WRNS unit based there and the remains of their accommodation blocks are still visible in our fields, as are a number of hut bottoms used as accommodation for POWs that worked on the farm. Anyway I'll browse through the various forums and ask away I guess.. ! If anyone knows of where I need to go to view or get copies of any documents that may be of interest to me, I'd very much appreciate being pinted in the right direction. Many Thanks and Happy New Year. George
Welcome George, I assume you have read through these links. http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/RAFAyr RAF Ayr - SeSco RAF Ayr / Heathfield / HMS Wagtail The Hawker Tempest Page Cheers Geoff
At TNA Kew AIR 2/2231 ROYAL AIR FORCE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES (Code B, 69): Contract for operation of a civil flying school at Ayr, Scotland: Scottish Aviation Ltd. 1935-1937 AIR 2/16935 Lands: requisition by AM, works, compensation, de-requisition etc: HF/DF Station, Prestwick, Ayr 1944-1959 AIR 2/16936 Lands: requisition by AM, works, compensation, de-requisition etc: HF/DF Station, Prestwick, Ayr 1944 AIR 28/40 AYR. Includes 2 photographs depicting: RAF Station, Ayr: cyclist near flagpole; plan of Prestwick aerodrome. Dated 1941-1944. 1941 Jan.- 1944 Sept. AIR 29/9 RAF Embarkation Office, Ayr, formed on 29 March 1941; became 29 Embarkation Unit on 4 November 1941; disbanded 31 December 1945. 1941 Mar.-1945 Dec. AIR 29/449 No. 64 Drummore, Ayr 1942 May-1946 Jan. AIR 50/441 143 Wing Ayr: 440 Squadron
Hello George, welcome to the forum. Hope the map helps, its taken from 'Action Stations' Vol.7 - D J. Smith.
Hi George It was long ago that you wrote, but I've only just come across your post in January 2011 seeking info on RAF Ayr. Have you completed your research, or are you still looking? My father was a gunnery instructor at 14 APC (Armament Practice Camp) from end of December 1943 to early May 1944. Unfortunately from your viewpoint (as he had an excellent memory) he died last year, but it you're still looking, I have some logbook entries and a bit of background information that might be of interest. Geoff L.