- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
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1. The History
Royal Air Force Station Limavady or more simply RAF Limavady is a former Royal Air Force station. Also known as Aghanloo airfield, it is near the city of Derry, Northern Ireland. The location for RAF Limavady was agreed in 1938, when the site was selected as an Armament Training Station (ATS). The first recorded use was by 502 Squadron and their Whitleys on anti-submarine patrols in December 1940. They had the distinction of being the first operational unit to be equipped with the new long range ASV (air-to-surface vessel) radar. Later 224 Sqn Hudsons and 221 Sqn Wellingtons were stationed here.
RAF Limavady from the air, September 1943:
RAF Limavady by HughieDW, on Flickr
In 1942 operational flying ceased for a two-year period. It was then used as a pilot training centre with Wellington and Ansons. In April 1942, General Reconnaissance training (GR) and Air-to-Surface Vessel (ASV) training became the norm, and operational squadrons withdrawn to be replaced by Operational Training Unit (OTU), until January 1944.
In 1944 the airfield returned to operational status and 172, 407 and 612 Sqds flew anti-submarine patrols. The airfield was notorious for its high accident In one incident alone in 1943, three aircraft were lost. Bad weather and its proximity to Benevenagh Mountain , accounted for many of these accidents.
The RAF left the airfield on a5th August 1945 and after the Second World War the airfield was further used by the Fleet Air Arm when it was known as RNAS Limavady until 1958, after which it was finally sold off. The site was partly converted into an industrial estate with the rest returning to agricultural purposes. The runways and taxi-ways can still be seen from aerial imagery
Notable structures that remain until today is a Type 518/40 control tower and an anti-Aircraft Gunner Dome. The later was used to project, onto the roof of the dome, a film of an approaching aircraft. The Gunner was trained to "Aim-Off" to ensure that he hit the aircraft.
2. The Explore
A nice relaxed explore on the first day of year. Easy access and loads there left still to see made this an enjoyable winter morning explore. Didn’t see a soul around, just some guard dogs barking in a nearby industrial compound. Wished I’d had more time to cover the site more thoroughly as it was large. Nice to see a WWII airfield with some much left to see. Get the feeling that if was in England it would have been smashed up.
3. The Pictures
Limavady 09 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Limavady 08 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Limavady 07 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Limavady 06 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Limavady 05 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0521 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0498 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0497 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0505 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The anti-Aircraft Gunner Dome
img0501 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0495 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0473 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The watch tower was the best thing here:
img0493 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Limavady 02 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Limavady 01 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0480 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Electrics from WWII still in situ. Never seen this in a watch tower before:
Limavady 04 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0486 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Limavady 03 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0487 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0483 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0482 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0481 by HughieDW, on Flickr
One of two remaining hangers:
img0516 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And the other;
img0509 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Part of the old runway:
img0517 by HughieDW, on Flickr
A couple of outlining huts:
img0515 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0514 by HughieDW, on Flickr
An old water tower located slightly away from the main site:
img0519 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Royal Air Force Station Limavady or more simply RAF Limavady is a former Royal Air Force station. Also known as Aghanloo airfield, it is near the city of Derry, Northern Ireland. The location for RAF Limavady was agreed in 1938, when the site was selected as an Armament Training Station (ATS). The first recorded use was by 502 Squadron and their Whitleys on anti-submarine patrols in December 1940. They had the distinction of being the first operational unit to be equipped with the new long range ASV (air-to-surface vessel) radar. Later 224 Sqn Hudsons and 221 Sqn Wellingtons were stationed here.
RAF Limavady from the air, September 1943:
RAF Limavady by HughieDW, on Flickr In 1942 operational flying ceased for a two-year period. It was then used as a pilot training centre with Wellington and Ansons. In April 1942, General Reconnaissance training (GR) and Air-to-Surface Vessel (ASV) training became the norm, and operational squadrons withdrawn to be replaced by Operational Training Unit (OTU), until January 1944.
In 1944 the airfield returned to operational status and 172, 407 and 612 Sqds flew anti-submarine patrols. The airfield was notorious for its high accident In one incident alone in 1943, three aircraft were lost. Bad weather and its proximity to Benevenagh Mountain , accounted for many of these accidents.
The RAF left the airfield on a5th August 1945 and after the Second World War the airfield was further used by the Fleet Air Arm when it was known as RNAS Limavady until 1958, after which it was finally sold off. The site was partly converted into an industrial estate with the rest returning to agricultural purposes. The runways and taxi-ways can still be seen from aerial imagery
Notable structures that remain until today is a Type 518/40 control tower and an anti-Aircraft Gunner Dome. The later was used to project, onto the roof of the dome, a film of an approaching aircraft. The Gunner was trained to "Aim-Off" to ensure that he hit the aircraft.
2. The Explore
A nice relaxed explore on the first day of year. Easy access and loads there left still to see made this an enjoyable winter morning explore. Didn’t see a soul around, just some guard dogs barking in a nearby industrial compound. Wished I’d had more time to cover the site more thoroughly as it was large. Nice to see a WWII airfield with some much left to see. Get the feeling that if was in England it would have been smashed up.
3. The Pictures
Limavady 09 by HughieDW, on FlickrLimavady 08 by HughieDW, on FlickrLimavady 07 by HughieDW, on FlickrLimavady 06 by HughieDW, on FlickrLimavady 05 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0521 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0498 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0497 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0505 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe anti-Aircraft Gunner Dome
img0501 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0495 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0473 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe watch tower was the best thing here:
img0493 by HughieDW, on FlickrLimavady 02 by HughieDW, on FlickrLimavady 01 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0480 by HughieDW, on FlickrElectrics from WWII still in situ. Never seen this in a watch tower before:
Limavady 04 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0486 by HughieDW, on FlickrLimavady 03 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0487 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0483 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0482 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0481 by HughieDW, on FlickrOne of two remaining hangers:
img0516 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd the other;
img0509 by HughieDW, on FlickrPart of the old runway:
img0517 by HughieDW, on FlickrA couple of outlining huts:
img0515 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0514 by HughieDW, on FlickrAn old water tower located slightly away from the main site:
img0519 by HughieDW, on Flickr
