RAF Ballyhalbert facts for kids

Quick facts for kids RAF Ballyhalbert RNAS Ballyhalbert (HMS Corncrake)
Ballyhalbert, County Down in Northern Ireland
Squadron photo taken on RAF Ballyhalbert in 1945
RAF Ballyhalbert Show map of Northern Ireland RAF Ballyhalbert Show map of the United Kingdom Shown within Northern Ireland
Coordinates	54°29′50″N 5°28′14″W / 54.49722°N 5.47056°W / 54.49722; -5.47056
Type	Royal Air Force Sector Station
Code	YB
Site information
Owner	Air Ministry Admiralty
Operator	Royal Air Force Royal Navy
Controlled by	RAF Fighter Command 1941-45 * No. 13 Group RAF * No. 82 Group RAF Fleet Air Arm 1945-46
Site history
Built	1940 (1940)
In use	June 1941 – 1946 (1946)
Battles/wars	European theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Elevation	8 metres (26 ft) AMSL
Runways Direction Length and surface 00/00  Tarmac 00/00  Tarmac 00/00  Tarmac

RAF Ballyhalbert was an important air base in Northern Ireland. It was located at Ballyhalbert on the Ards Peninsula in County Down. This base played a key role during World War II, helping to protect the area from enemy air attacks. It was first used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and later by the Royal Navy.

Construction of the base started in 1940. It was built to support the war effort. Another nearby air base, RAF Kirkistown, was a smaller base that worked with Ballyhalbert.

History of the Air Base

RAF Ballyhalbert: Protecting the Skies

RAF Ballyhalbert officially opened on June 28, 1941. It was a base for RAF Fighter Command. This part of the RAF was in charge of defending the country from enemy planes. The main aircraft used here was the Supermarine Spitfire. These fast fighter planes helped protect Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland from air raids by the German air force, known as the Luftwaffe.

Other types of aircraft also flew from Ballyhalbert. These included the Hawker Hurricane, Bristol Beaufighter, North American Mustang, and the Boulton Paul Defiant night fighter. Many different people worked at the base. This included members of the RAF, the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), the British Army, and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Soldiers and airmen from countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Poland also served here.

HMS Corncrake: Naval Air Training

After its time with the RAF, the airfield became known as HMS Corncrake. This was its name when it was used by the Fleet Air Arm. The Fleet Air Arm is the part of the Royal Navy that operates aircraft from ships. At HMS Corncrake, naval squadrons practiced and got ready for their duties on aircraft carriers.

The airfield closed on November 13, 1945. It was then put into "Care and Maintenance," meaning it was looked after but not actively used. By 1947, the base was no longer needed and was left empty. In March 1960, the land was sold. Today, the area where the airfield once stood is used for several popular caravan parks.

Images for kids

• 

  Squadron photo taken on RAF Ballyhalbert in 1945

See also

• List of former Royal Air Force stations