RAF Fairwood Common
Located on Fairwood Common, on the Gower Peninsula, previously Glamorgan,
Near Swansea, 5 miles (8.0 km) east[1] in Wales
RAF Fairwood Common is located in Swansea
RAF Fairwood Common
RAF Fairwood Common
Shown within Swansea
RAF Fairwood Common is located in the United Kingdom
RAF Fairwood Common
RAF Fairwood Common
RAF Fairwood Common (the United Kingdom)
Coordinates51°36′19″N 004°04′04″W / 51.60528°N 4.06778°W / 51.60528; -4.06778
TypeRoyal Air Force station
*Sector Station 1941-49
CodeFC
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byRAF Fighter Command
* No. 10 Group RAF
Site history
Built1940 (1940)/41
In useJune 1941 – 1949 (1949)
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
DesignationsWithin Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales
Airfield information
Elevation82 metres (269 ft)[2] AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
05/23 1,600 yards (1,463 m) Asphalt concrete and Sealcoat[1]
11/29 1,350 yards (1,234 m) Asphalt concrete and Sealcoat
15/33 1,350 yards (1,234 m) Asphalt concrete and Sealcoat
Swansea Airport, what was RAF Fairwood Common

Royal Air Force Fairwood Common, or more simply RAF Fairwood Common, (IATA: EGFH, ICAO: SWS) is a former Royal Air Force Sector Station located on Fairwood Common, on the Gower Peninsula, to the west of Swansea. It is now the location of Swansea Airport.

History

Station design

The airfield had six pens for single-engine aircraft, two aircraft to a pen, and nine pens for twin-engined aircraft along its western and southern sides, and the perimeter track had hard-standing for twenty nine fighter aircraft. It was constructed with three runways; 23/05 northeast-southeast 1463 m (4800 ft) long; 29/11 west-east 1249 m (4100 ft) long; and 33/15 northwest-southeast 1249 m (4100 ft) long. It had an extensive system of taxiways running parallel to and interconnecting with, the runways. The airfield had three Bellman hangars and eight Blister hangars.[3]

RAF Fighter Command

Taking a year to construct and using a large amount of industrial spoil to level and stabilise what was a bog, RAF Fairwood Common opened under No. 10 Group RAF, on the 15 June 1941.[4] Built as a day and night fighter station elements of the first day fighter squadron arrived on 14 June 1941 (79 Squadron equipped with Hawker Hurricane aircraft),[5] shortly followed by the first night fighter squadron (a flight of 600 Squadron equipped with Bristol Beaufighter Mk.II aircraft) and by the end of June 1941 a second Hurricane equipped day fighter squadron arrived (No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron).[5] On the 25 October 1941 RAF Fairwood Common became a sector station. All aspects of the air defence of South Wales was covered by the Fairwood Sector. From December 1941 the forward airfield RAF Angle became part of the sector.[4]

On 23 January 1942, No. 615 Squadron (County of Surrey) Auxiliary Air Force, arrived from RAF Angle, equipped with Hawker Hurricane fighters, operating there until 17 March when the squadron moved by train to Liverpool Docks, boarding the Johan van Oldenbarnevelt. On 20 March the ship moved to the Firth of Clyde and then, filled with Army and RAF personnel, on 23 March it sailed in convoy to India.

In November 1943 No. 456 Squadron RAAF arrived from RAF Colerne, equipped with a mix of de Havilland Mosquito II and VI aircraft. On 29 January 1944 it re-equipped with Mosquito NF XVII, but by the end of February the squadron had moved to RAF Ford in Sussex. No. 68 Squadron RAF then arrived which was notably the last squadron in the UK to be equipped with Bristol Beaufighter night fighter aircraft. The squadron left RAF Fairwood Common in June 1944 and the airfield ceased to be an operational base.[6]

RAF Fairwood Common carried out the function of Armament Practice Camp, for the squadrons of No. 83 Group RAF and No. 84 Group RAF of the RAF Second Tactical Air Force, when in October 1943, No. 11 Armament Practice Camp (APC) was formed at the airbase.[7] In August 1944 it was joined by No. 18 Armament Practice Camp. In July 1945 they joined to become No. 1 Armament Practice Station which remained until the spring of 1946. During this period a large number of different aircraft types visited RAF Fairwood Common, with around forty squadrons taking part in firing practice between 1943 and 1946.[8]

RAF Fairwood Common was targeted by the Luftwaffe. The worst raid was on the 16 February 1943 when eleven Luftwaffe bombers attacked and bombed the airfield. Unfortunately three female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force (WAAF) were killed. Two Luftwaffe Dornier Do 217 bomber aircraft were shot down by a Bristol Beaufighter of No. 125 Squadron RAF.[9]

No. 595 Squadron RAF, an anti-aircraft co-operation unit with duties over central and southern Wales, became a permanent resident at RAF Fairwood Common from 27 April 1946.[10] The unit was equipped with Miles Martinet I, a target tug aircraft, Airspeed Oxford I and II, a twin-engine monoplane aircraft, and Supermarine Spitfire Mk XI and LF.XVIe, a single-seat fighter aircraft. A shortage of pilots meant it took two days to move all the squadron’s aircraft. No 691 Squadron RAF used their Airspeed Oxford aircraft to ferry 'on loan' pilots back to RAF Aberporth.[11] No. 595 Squadron RAF remained at RAF Fairwood Common until 22 October 1946 when it left for RAF Pembrey.[10]

On 12 March 1946, a Supermarine Spitfire, piloted by Flying officer Abbott of No. 595 Squadron RAF, operating out of RAF Aberporth, was diverted to RAF Fairwood Common, due to the airfield at Aberporth being water-logged.[11] It was then agreed he could operate out of RAF Fairwood Common until his home airfield had dried out. Tragically, on the 21 March, while flying in and out of cloud, the aircraft crashed for no apparent reason and he was killed.[12]

No. 691 Squadron RAF, an anti-aircraft cooperation squadron, arrived at the airfield in July 1946 from RAF Weston Zoyland, but departed for RAF Chivenor in October. The unit was equipped with Airspeed Oxford I, Vultee A-31 Vengeance Mk IV target tug aircraft, Miles Martinet I target tug aircraft and Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVI fighter aircraft. Its aircraft were also used for light transport duties and other special flights.[13][11]

RAF Fairwood Common was used as a diversionary airfield by RAF Bomber Command, RAF Transport Command and the USAAF and there were a number of notable incidents.[9]

On the 29 March 1944, a USAAF Consolidated B-24 Liberator was diverted to RAF Fairwood Common due to bad weather. The heavy bomber had run out of fuel as it approached the airfield. The pilot and crew chief remained on board while the rest of the aircrew baled out to safety. The pilot attempted an emergency landing which resulted in both the pilot and crew chief being badly injured, and whilst the pilot recovered, sadly, the crew chief died.[9]

On the 9 April 1944, a Handley Page Halifax Mk III, of No. 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF based at RAF Pocklington, crashed into a WAAF hut while making an emergency landing. Sadly, one female auxiliary was killed, and several others were injured.[11]

A Vickers Wellington medium bomber, suffering from an engine fire, attempted to make an emergency landing, in August 1944. However, the aircraft hit some trees, causing it to crash.[11]

The aerodrome had fulfilled a variety of military roles during the Second World War. By 1946 the RAF Squadrons had left and the airfield was put under care and maintenance.[14]

Swansea Airport

Fairwood Common airfield was developed into Swansea's civic airport.[3] In 1957 it officially opened as Swansea Airport. Morton Air Services operated a service to Gatwick Airport near Crawley, West Sussex, England, and Cambrian Airways ran scheduled flights to the Crown Dependencies of Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands.[8] The original control tower has changed in appearance. Only one of the Bellman hangars exists but has been renovated.[3]

Royal Air Force operational history

Fighter Squadrons

No. 79 Squadron RAF, equipped with Hawker Hurricane IIb and IIb aircraft, arrived on the opening of the station, relocating from the nearby RAF Pembrey.[15] This started off a succession of single-seat day fighter squadrons to stay for brief periods. No. 79 Squadron was tasked with defending South Wales, the West Country and shipping in the Bristol Channel. One of their flight commanders was Roland Beamont[4] and they were to stay until the 24 December 1941, moving to RAF Baginton.[15]

For a short time No. 600 Squadron RAF, known as No. 600 (City of London) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, which operated as a night fighter squadron, was stationed at RAF Fairwood Common.[4] Equipped with Bristol Beaufighter aircraft, the squadron arrived on 18 June 1941 and departed on the 27th to RAF Colerne.[10]

No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron, also referred to as No. 317 "City of Wilno" Polish Fighter Squadron, arrived on the 27 June 1941 from RAF Colerne. Equipped with Hawker Hurricane I aircraft, the squadron stayed until 21 July,[16] and were immediately followed by No. 504 Squadron RAF, or No. 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron, equipped with Hawker Hurricane IIb aircraft, who effectively replaced them until the 11 August 1941.[17] No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron provided fighter cover for a daylight raid on Le Havre. All aircraft returned, with two Luftwaffe aircraft claimed destroyed and a further one damaged. A week before departing RAF Fairwood Common, the squadron claimed a Junkers Ju 88 over the Bristol Channel.[4] Nos. 79 and 504 Squadron's Hawker Hurricane aircraft took part in an escort sortie from RAF Fairwood Common, to support a raid on the French port city of Brest, on the 24 July 1941.[4]

Fitters working on a Rolls-Royce Merlin III aircraft engine of a No. 125 Squadron RAF, Boulton Paul Defiant, at RAF Fairwood Common, January 1942.

No. 125 Squadron RAF, also known as No. 125 (Newfoundland) Squadron RAF, arrived on 24 September 1941 to provide night fighter cover, equipped with Boulton Paul Defiant Mk I aircraft. They remained at RAF Fairwood Common, either as a squadron or a detachment, through to September 1942, re-equipping initially with Boulton Paul Defiant Mk II, and later followed by Bristol Beaufighter IIF.[18] They provided night fighter cover for the sector, notably shooting down a Junkers Ju 88 on the 27 June 1942.[19]

January 1942 saw the arrival of No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF equipped with Supermarine Spitfire VB fighter aicraft. The squadron stayed at RAF Fairwood Common briefly until the 24th,[20] but on the same day No. 615 Squadron RAF, also known as No. 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, replaced them, equipped with Hawker Hurricane IIB and IIC fighter aircraft and staying until they departed for India on the 17 March 1942.[21] On the 10 February 1942 Westland Whirlwind equipped No. 263 Squadron RAF arrived, remaining until the 18 April when the squadron left for RAF Angle.[22]

January 1942 saw the arrival of No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF equipped with Supermarine Spitfire VB fighter aicraft. The squadron stayed at RAF Fairwood Common briefly until the 24th,[20] but on the same day No. 615 Squadron RAF, also known as No. 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, replaced them, equipped with Hawker Hurricane IIB and IIC fighter aircraft and staying until they departed for India on the 17 March 1942.[21] On the 10 February 1942 Westland Whirlwind equipped No. 263 Squadron RAF arrived, remaining until the 18 April when the squadron left for RAF Angle.[22]

October 1942 saw No. 536 Squadron RAF, one of the Turbinlite nightfighter squadrons, arrive. It was equipped with Douglas A-20 Havoc and Hawker Hurricane IIC aircraft, however, the squadron disbanded at RAF Fairwood Common on the 25 January 1943.[23] 402 Squadron, known as 402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron arrived on the 17 March, equipped with Supermarine Spitfire Vb aircraft. They remained until the 14 May.[24] No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF returned on the 18 April, operating with Supermarine Spitfire Vb aircraft, and stayed until the 2 May.[20] No. 421 Squadron RCAF, known as No. 421 (Red Indian) Squadron RCAF, arrived, also operating Supermarine Spitfire Vb, and it remained at RAF Fairwood Common until the 26 October.[25]

Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, at the controls of a De Havilland Mosquito F Mk.II, of No. 307 Polish Night Fighter Squadron, during his visit to RAF Fairwood Common.

412 Transport Squadron, known as No. 412 Squadron (Falcon) Squadron RCAF, arrived on the 8 February 1943. It was equipped with Supermarine Spitfire Vb and had a couple of spells at RAF Fairwood Common.[25] On the 15 April 1943 No. 307 Polish Night Fighter Squadron arrived, equipped with de Havilland Mosquito F Mk.II fighter aircraft.[20] They were used for long-range fighter sweeps over occupied Europe and for long-range convoy escort duties.[26] The squadron left on the 7 August 1943, [20] but were replaced the same day by No. 264 Squadron RAF, which also operated de Havilland Mosquito F Mk.II aircraft. Re-equippeing with de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk. VI in August, it left on the 7 November 1943.[27] No. 456 Squadron RAAF arrived on the 17 November. It replaced its de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk. VI with NF Mk.XVII in January 1944 and left in the February for RAF Colerne.[28] Bristol Beaufighter Mk.VIF equipped No. 68 Squadron RAF was the final fighter squadron to operate from RAF Fairwood Common,[6] leaving on the 23 June 1944.[29]

Armament Practice Camp

No. 11 Armament Practice Camp RAF formed at RAF Fairwood Common on the 18 October 1943 by merging 1487 (Fighter) Gunnery and 1498 (Target Towing) Flights. It was equipped with Westland Lysander IIIA, Miles Master I, II and III, Miles Martinet I, Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIa, and Avro Anson I.[30]

On 4 August 1944, No. 11 APC was joined at RAF Fairwood Common by No. 18 Armament Practice Camp RAF,[7] a unit that had been initially formed at RAF Gravesend on the 18 October 1943, by re-designating No. 1493 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight RAF.[31] It was equipped with Westland Lysander III and IIIA, Hawker Hurricane IV, Hawker Typhoon IB, Taylorcraft Auster III, Supermarine Spitfire IX, Miles Master II and Miles Martinet I.[31] Its role was in converting squadrons operating Hawker Hurricane, to Hawker Typhoon aircraft.[7]

Broughton Burrows was the primary target range for the two Armament Practice Camps.[32] The targets were made of plywood and canvas which was used by Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Typhoon aircraft for their cannon and rockets; the latter’s warheads being 17 pounds (7.7 kg) concrete practice rounds.[7] There was an alternative range near Port Talbot, at Margam, where floating targets were used.[32] This was mainly the range where the Armament Practice Camps could practice their bombing, as the range included two Practice Bombing Targets with a 1,000 yards (910 m) radius of safety clearance and a single Live Bombing Target with a 2,000 yards (1,800 m) radius of safety, out over the sea. Notably, this range was historically important as this was the one used for the attempts at OBOE guided bombing, supported by the Chain Home Low radar station on top of Mynedd Margam.[7]

The Armament Practice Camps also used a range in the Preseli Mountains at Maenclochog. This was the disused North Pembrokeshire and Fishguard Railway railway line which included bridges and a tunnel. Locomotives with some rolling stock to form a train, were pulled using a wire rope, by another locomotive. With a pre-arranged arrival, a combat aircraft would approach at around 50 feet (15 m), through a pass and over a reservoir, then turning right. The train would be on an embankment at the same height. This 2 miles (3.2 km) stretch was used by the RAF Second Tactical Air Force and also by the USAAF. The uniqueness was being able to fire away, as if it were an enemy railway.[33]

No. 1 Armament Practice Station RAF formed on the 1 July 1945 at RAF Fairwood Common by merging Nos. 11 and 18 Armament Practice Camps. The unit operated various types of aircraft:

No. 1 APS disbanded on the 1 May 1946 at RAF Fairwood Common.[34]

Squadrons Completing Courses of Ground Attack

List of Royal Air Force squadrons completing the ground attack courses at RAF Fairwood Common, via the Armament Practice Camps.[35]

RAF Fairwood Common Ground Attack Course
RAF SquadronFromDate FromDate ToMoved ToAircraftNotes
No. 33 Squadron RAFRAF Selsey10 August 194418 August 1944and returnSupermarine Spitfire LF IXE[36]
No. 41 Squadron RAFRAF Bolt HeadI6 May 194424 May 1944and returnSupermarine Spitfire XII[37]
No. 65 Squadron RAFRAF Bentwaters13 August 19456 September 1945RAF HethelNorth American Mustang IV[38]
No. 66 Squadron RAFB79/Woensdrecht20 February 194516 March 1945B85/SchjindelSupermarine Spitfire LF XVIE[29]
No. 91 Squadron RAFRAF Ludham14 July 194518 August 1945RAF DyceSupermarine Spitfire XXI[39]
No. 118 Squadron RAFRAF Bentwaters11 August 19458 September 1945RAF Horsham St FaithNorth American Mustang III[40]
No. 127 Squadron RAFB79/Woensdrecht20 February 194517 March 1945B85/SchjindelSupermarine Spitfire XVI[18]
No. 131 Squadron RAFRAF Colerne22 February 194429 February 1944and returnSupermarine Spitfire IX[41]
No. 132 Squadron RAFRAF Detling13 March 194419 March 1944and returnSupermarine Spitfire VI[41]
No. 164 Squadron RAFRAF Turnhouse20 November 19456 January 1946and returnSupermarine Spitfire IX[42]
No. 165 Squadron RAFRAF Colerne1 March 19447 March 1944and returnSupermarine Spitfire IXB[42]
No. 183 Squadron RAFRAF Chilbolton8 October 194515 November 1945and returnSupermarine Spitfire IX
Hawker Tempest II		[43]
No. 193 Squadron RAFB 51/Lille/Vendeville18 September 19446 October 1944B70/DeurneHawker Typhoon IB[44]
No. 197 Squadron RAFB70/Deurne25 November 194412 December 1944and returnHawker Typhoon IB[44]
No. 198 Squadron RAFB67/Ursel6 November 194421 November 1944and returnHawker Typhoon IB[45]
No. 222 Squadron RAFB109/Quackenbruke4 June 194525 JuneB155/DebelsdorfHawker Tempest V[46]
No. 247 Squadron RAFRAF Chilbolton7 January 194616 February 1946and returnHawker Tempest F2[47]
No. 257 Squadron RAFB3/Ste-Croix-Sur-Mer11 August 194430 August 1944and returnHawker Typhoon IB[48]
No. 263 Squadron RAFRAF Ibsley
B70/Deurne		5 January 1944
13 January 1945		23 January 1944
10 February 1945		RAF Beaulieu
B89/Mill		Hawker Typhoon IB[22]
No. 266 Squadron RAFB105/Drope25 April 19454 June 1945B111/AhlhornHawker Typhoon IB[27]
No. 268 Squadron RAFB77/Gilze-Rijen13 January 19459 February 1945and returnNorth American Mustang II[27]
No. 302 Squadron RAFRAF Northolt
B10/Plumetot		2 December 1943
30 August 1944		19 December 1943
16 September 1944		and return
B51/Lille/Vendeville		Supermarine Spitfire IX
Supermarine Spitfire IXE		[49]
No. 306 Squadron RAFRAF Coltishall8 October 194518 November 1945and returnNorth American Mustang III[20]
No. 308 Squadron RAFB101/Nordhorn26 April 19452 June 1945BII3/VarrelbuschSupermarine Spitfire XVI[20]
No. 315 Squadron RAFRAF Coltishall19 November 194520 December 1945and returnNorth American Mustang III[16]
No. 316 Squadron RAFRAF Andrews Field17 September 19455 October 1945and returnNorth American Mustang III[16]
No. 317 Squadron RAFRAF Colerne
B6I/St Denis-Westrem		27 June 1941
22 November 1944		21 July 1941
11 December 1944		RAF Exeter
and return		Hawker Hurricane IIB
Supermarine Spitfire IX		[16]
No. 322 Squadron RAFRAF Deanland10 October 194431 October 1944RAF Biggin HillSupermarine Spitfire LF IXE[16]
No. 329 Squadron RAFRAF Harrowbeer16 July 194510 August 1945RAF ExeterSupermarine Spitfire IX[50]
No. 331 Squadron RAFB57/Lille Nord
B85/Schjindel		19 September 1944
14 March 1945		6 October 1944
2 April 1945		B60/Grimbergen
and return		Supermarine Spitfire IXB[50]
No. 332 Squadron RAFB60/Grimbergen1 December 194431 December 1944B79/WoenstdechtSupermarine Spitfire VB[50]
No. 345 Squadron RAFRAF Deanland
B85/Schjindel		10 October 1944
16 March 1945		28 October 1944
2 April 1945		RAF Biggin Hill
and return		Supermarine Spitfire HF IX[50]
No. 401 Squadron RCAFRAF Biggin Hill8 April I94418 April I944RAF TangmereSupermarine Spitfire IXB[24]
No. 403 Squadron RCAFB68/Le Culot23 September 19443 October 1944B82/GraveSupermarine Spitfire IXB[24]
No. 411 Squadron RCAFRAF TangmereI7 April 194422 April 1944and returnSupermarine Spitfire IXB[24]
No. 412 Squadron RCAFRAF Lasham
RAF Biggin Hill		8 April 1943
30 March 1944		13 April 1943
7 April 1944		RAF Perranporth
and return		Supermarine Spitfire VB
Supermarine Spitfire IXB		[25]
No. 485 Squadron RNZAFB65/Maldeghem5 November 194424 November 1944and returnSupermarine Spitfire IXE[51]
No. 609 Squadron RAFRAF Manston
RAF Lasham		6 February 1944
4 June 1945		20 February 1944
23 June 1945		and return
B116/ Wunstorf		Hawker Typhoon IB[52]
No. 610 Squadron RAFRAF Bolt Head
RAF Culmhead		19 December 1943
23 April 1944		4 January 1944
30 April 1944		RAF Exeter
and return		Supermarine Spitfires VC
Supermarine Spitfire XIV		[52]
No. 616 Squadron RAFRAF Exeter
RAF West Malling		16 November 1943
24 April 1944		1 December 1943
16 May I944		and return
RAF Culmhead		Supermarine Spitfire VII[21]

Air Sea Rescue

Supermarine Walrus, an example of the type used by 'D' flight

Air Sea Rescue Flight RAF, Pembrey/Fairwood Common disbanded at RAF Fairwood Common on the 21 October 1941. It merged with Air Sea Rescue Flight RAF, Warmwell to become 'D' Flight, No. 276 Squadron RAF.[53]

No. 276 Squadron RAF, an Air Sea Rescue Squadron, provided a detachment equipped with Westland Lysander IIIA aircraft and Supermarine Walrus single-engine amphibious biplanes, to RAF Fairwood Common.[54] This was due to the size of the operations which now covered the Irish Sea as well as the Bristol Channel. This unit remained until April 1944.[4]

Other Units

Anti-aircraft Co-operation

List of anti-aircraft co-operation units that operated at RAF Fairwood Common:[8]

RAF Regiment

Units of the Royal Air Force Regiment that were based at RAF Fairwood Common at some point:[8]

Gliding Units

Units of Royal Air Force Gliding Schools and Volunteer Gliding Squadrons that were based at RAF Fairwood Common at some point:[8]

Servicing Units

  • No. 2 Fighter Command Servicing Unit RAF[8]

Flights

  • RAF Fairwood Common Station Flight[8]
  • RADAR Meteorological Flight RAF[8]

Royal Air Force Station commanders

Note: The ranks shown are the ranks held at the time of holding the appointment of commanding officer, Royal Air Force Fairwood Common.[59]
RAF Fairwood Common commanders
ranknamefrom
Wing CommanderJ S L Adams25 May 1941
Wing CommanderR L R Atcherley29 Sep 1941
Group CaptainD F W Atcherley5 Apr 1942
Group CaptainA B Woodhall3 Oct 1942
Group CaptainJ Herby-Percy24 Mar 1943
Wing CommanderA V R Johnstone13 Nov 1943
Wing CommanderC D L Griffiths19 Jun 1944
Wing CommanderA Eyre18 Aug 1945 (killed in flying accident 16 Feb 1946)
Wing CommanderH J L Hallowes28 Mar 1946

Previous units

The following squadrons were here at some point:

Additional units;[8]

  • No. 1487 (Target Towing) Flight RAF became No. 1487 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight RAF[30]

Current use

Renamed Fairwood Common, the aerodrome became the home of Swansea and District Flying Club and School and they hosted a number of air shows, air races and motor sports events from 1950 to 1955. In 1957 the County Borough of Swansea took over the aerodrome and on 1 June 1957 Swansea Airport was officially opened by Group Captain Douglas R S Bader, CBE, DSO and Bar, DFC and Bar. The airport was developed for commercial usage by Cambrian Airways Ltd on behalf of the local council.

See also

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 Delve 2007, p. 117.
  2. ↑ Falconer 2012, p. 92.
  3. 1 2 3 "RAF Fairwood Common (306519)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jones 2007, p. 9.
  5. 1 2 Phillips 2006, p. 72.
  6. 1 2 Jones 2007, p. 13.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Jones 2007, p. 15.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Fairwood Common (Swansea)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 Phillips 2006, p. 74.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Jefford 2001, p. 99.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Phillips 2006, p. 75.
  12. ↑ "A History of RAF Aberporth". Royal Air Force Aberporth. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  13. 1 2 Jefford 2001, p. 105.
  14. ↑ Phillips 2006, p. 80.
  15. 1 2 Jefford 2001, p. 52.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Jefford 2001, p. 88.
  17. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 96.
  18. 1 2 Jefford 2001, p. 61.
  19. ↑ Jones 2007, p. 9-10.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jefford 2001, p. 87.
  21. 1 2 3 Jefford 2001, p. 101.
  22. 1 2 3 Jefford 2001, p. 82.
  23. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 97.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Jefford 2001, p. 91.
  25. 1 2 3 Jefford 2001, p. 92.
  26. ↑ Jones 2007, p. 12-13.
  27. 1 2 3 Jefford 2001, p. 83.
  28. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 94.
  29. 1 2 Jefford 2001, p. 49.
  30. 1 2 Lake 1999, p. 31.
  31. 1 2 Lake 1999, p. 32.
  32. 1 2 Phillips 2006, p. 73.
  33. ↑ Jones 2007, p. 16.
  34. ↑ Lake 1999, p. 33.
  35. ↑ Jones 2007, p. 22-23.
  36. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 39.
  37. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 42.
  38. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 48.
  39. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 55.
  40. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 60.
  41. 1 2 Jefford 2001, p. 62.
  42. 1 2 Jefford 2001, p. 67.
  43. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 68.
  44. 1 2 Jefford 2001, p. 69.
  45. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 70.
  46. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 75.
  47. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 80.
  48. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 81.
  49. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 86.
  50. 1 2 3 4 Jefford 2001, p. 89.
  51. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 95.
  52. 1 2 Jefford 2001, p. 100.
  53. ↑ Lake 1999, p. 22.
  54. ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 84.
  55. 1 2 3 Jefford 1988, p. 83.
  56. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 97.
  57. ↑ Lake 1999, p. 113.
  58. ↑ Lake 1999, p. 117.
  59. ↑ "RAF Station Commanders - Wales and North West England". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  60. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 30.
  61. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 48.
  62. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 58.
  63. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 77.

Bibliography

  • Falconer, J. (2012). RAF Airfields of World War 2. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-349-5.
  • Delve, Ken (2007). The Military Airfields of Britain Wales and West Midlands. Marlborough, Wiltshire UK: The Crowood Press Ltd. ISBN 978-1-86126-917-1.
  • Jefford, C.G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Jefford, C G (2001). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 - 2nd Edition. Shrewsbury UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
  • Jones, Ivor (2007). Airfields and Landing Grounds of Wales: West. Stroud, Gloucestershire UK: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7524-4418-5.
  • Lake, A (1999). Flying Units of the RAF. Shrewsbury UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  • Phillips, Alan (2006). Military Airfields of Wales. Wrexham, Wrexham County Borough Wales UK: Bridge Books. ISBN 1-84494-019-5.
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