RAF Dumfries facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RAF Dumfries
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| Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland | |||||||||||
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RAF Dumfries on a target dossier of the German Luftwaffe, 1941
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 RAF Dumfries
RAF Dumfries
Shown within Dumfries and Galloway
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| Coordinates | 55°05′32″N 003°34′12″W / 55.09222°N 3.57000°W | ||||||||||
| Type | Royal Air Force station | ||||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||||
| Owner | Air Ministry | ||||||||||
| Operator | Royal Air Force | ||||||||||
| Controlled by | RAF Flying Training Command RAF Maintenance Command |
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| Site history | |||||||||||
| Built | 1939/40 | ||||||||||
| In use | 1940-1957 | ||||||||||
| Battles/wars | European theatre of World War II | ||||||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||||||
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RAF Dumfries was a special place in Scotland where the Royal Air Force (RAF) trained its pilots and maintained aircraft. It was located near the town of Dumfries, in Dumfries and Galloway. The airfield first opened its gates on June 17, 1940. After many years of service, it was sold in 1960.
Today, this historic airfield has a new purpose. It is now home to the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum. This museum helps people learn about the history of aviation and the role RAF Dumfries played.
Contents
A Look Back at RAF Dumfries
RAF Dumfries became active during World War II. It was a very busy place, helping the RAF prepare for battles.
Training Pilots and Crews
When the airfield first opened, a unit called No. 18 Maintenance Unit RAF was there. Their job was to keep aircraft in good working order. Soon after, No. 10 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF moved in. This school was vital for training future airmen. They taught people how to aim bombs and how to use aircraft guns. They used planes like the Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow and Fairey Battle for training.
At first, the airfield had grass runways. But with so much training happening, they needed stronger surfaces. The runways were upgraded to hard surfaces. While this work was being done, the school used a nearby landing area at RAF Winterseugh.
Aircraft Storage and Movement
Because so many aircraft were being maintained, some had to be stored at other locations. These included places like RAF Low Eldrig and RAF Lennoxlove. A special flight unit, No. 11 Sub-Ferry Flight, also operated from RAF Dumfries for a few months.
Changes in Training
Over time, the training at RAF Dumfries changed. In September 1940, the Bombing and Gunnery School became No. 10 Air Observers School RAF. This new school focused on training navigators. They used aircraft like the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley and Blackburn Botha.
Later, in April 1940, it changed again to No. 10 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit RAF. This unit started using Avro Anson planes for training.
Wartime Incidents
RAF Dumfries saw some action during the war. On March 25, 1943, a German Dornier Do 217 aircraft attacked the airfield's beacon. However, the German plane crashed soon after. The pilot was buried in a local cemetery.
Another incident happened on August 3, 1943. A Vickers Wellington bomber had engine trouble and tried to land at Dumfries. Sadly, it crashed before reaching the runway.
End of an Era
During the Second World War, RAF Dumfries ran over 400 training courses. After the war ended, the training school was renamed No. 10 Air Navigation School RAF in August 1945. It closed down just a month later.
The maintenance unit, 18 MU, stayed open longer. It closed in 1957. This unit had prepared and sent out almost 5,000 aircraft. After the war, it also stored planes that were no longer needed.
From 1947 to 1957, RAF Dumfries was also a training station for new recruits joining the Royal Air Force Regiment. After 1957, the airfield was looked after until it was sold to a private company in 1960.
Units at RAF Dumfries
Many different RAF units were based at Dumfries during its operational years.
Squadrons
- No. 225 Squadron RAF
- No. 614 Squadron RAF
- No. 651 Squadron RAF
- No. 652 Squadron RAF
Other Units
- No. 1 Gliding School RAF (which later became No. 661 Gliding School RAF)
- No. 11 (Service) Ferry Pilots Pool RAF
- No. 14 Maintenance Unit RAF
- No. 29 Group Communication Flight RAF
Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum
The airfield is now home to the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum. This museum first opened its doors to visitors in the summer of 1977. It is a great place to learn about the history of flight and the important role RAF Dumfries played.
