RAF Dumfries facts for kids

Quick facts for kids RAF Dumfries
Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland
RAF Dumfries Show map of Dumfries and Galloway RAF Dumfries Show map of the United Kingdom Shown within Dumfries and Galloway
Coordinates	55°05′32″N 003°34′12″W / 55.09222°N 3.57000°W / 55.09222; -3.57000
Type	Royal Air Force station
Site information
Owner	Air Ministry
Operator	Royal Air Force
Controlled by	RAF Flying Training Command RAF Maintenance Command
Site history
Built	1939 (1939)/40
In use	1940-1957 (1957)
Battles/wars	European theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Runways Direction Length and surface 00/00  Asphalt 00/00  Asphalt 00/00  Asphalt

RAF Dumfries was a special place where the Royal Air Force (RAF) used to have an airbase. It was located near Dumfries in Scotland. This airfield opened on 17 June 1940, right in the middle of World War II. It was used by the RAF until 1957 and was later sold in 1960.

Today, the old airfield is home to the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum. It's a great place to learn about planes and the history of flight!

History of RAF Dumfries

Early Days and Training

RAF Dumfries started as a base for a unit called No. 18 Maintenance Unit RAF (18 MU) on 17 June 1940. This unit was in charge of looking after aircraft. At first, there were obstacles on the airfield to stop enemy planes from landing. Once these were removed, planes could finally fly in.

Soon after, another important unit arrived: No. 10 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF (10 B&GS). This school taught people how to aim bombs and use guns from planes. They used aircraft like the Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow and Fairey Battle for training.

Airfield Upgrades and Changes

The airfield originally had grass runways. But with so much training happening, they needed stronger runways. So, the grass was replaced with hard surfaces. While this work was being done, the school used another nearby airfield at RAF Winterseugh.

Because there were so many aircraft, the 18 MU unit had to send some planes to other smaller airfields. These included places like RAF Low Eldrig, RAF Lennoxlove, RAF Wath Head, and RAF Hornby Hall.

New Training Roles

In September 1940, the 10 B&GS changed its name to No. 10 Air Observers School RAF (10 AOS). This new school focused on teaching people how to navigate planes. They used aircraft such as the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley and Blackburn Botha.

Later, in April 1940, the 10 AOS changed its name again to No. 10 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit RAF (10 (O)AFU). They started using Avro Anson planes for their training.

Wartime Incidents

RAF Dumfries had a close call on 25 March 1943. A German Dornier Do 217 aircraft attacked the airfield's beacon. Luckily, the German plane crashed shortly after. The pilot, Martin Piscke, was later buried in a local cemetery with military honors.

On the night of 3/4 August 1943, a Vickers Wellington bomber had engine trouble. It tried to land at Dumfries but crashed about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) short of the runway.

End of an Era

During the Second World War, RAF Dumfries ran over 400 training courses! In August 1945, the 10 (O)AFU was renamed No. 10 Air Navigation School RAF (10 ANS), but it was closed down just a month later in September 1945.

The 18 MU unit, which looked after planes, finally closed in 1957. They had prepared and sent out almost 5,000 aircraft during their time. After the war, they also stored planes that were waiting to be sold.

From 1947 to 1957, the airfield was also used to train new recruits for the Royal Air Force Regiment. These were soldiers who protected RAF bases. After 1957, the airfield was looked after but not actively used. In 1960, the site was sold to a private company.

Other Units at RAF Dumfries

Over the years, several other important units were also based at RAF Dumfries:

• Squadrons:
  • No. 225 Squadron RAF
  • No. 614 Squadron RAF
  • No. 651 Squadron RAF
  • No. 652 Squadron RAF
• Other Units:
  • No. 1 Gliding School RAF (April 1950 – September 1955), which later became No. 661 Gliding School RAF (September 1955 – January 1958)
  • No. 11 (Service) Ferry Pilots Pool RAF (April – June 1941)
  • No. 14 Maintenance Unit RAF (April 1955 – July 1957)
  • No. 29 Group Communication Flight RAF (July 1942 – July 1945)

Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum

Today, the former RAF Dumfries airfield is home to the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum. This museum first opened its doors to the public in the summer of 1977. It's a fantastic place to explore old aircraft and learn about the history of aviation in the area.