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RAF Kai Tak
RAF Kai Tak Crest.jpg
Station badge
Summary
Airport type Military, Defunct
Operator Royal Air Force
Location Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong
Elevation AMSL 9 m / 28 ft
Coordinates 22°19′43″N 114°11′39″E / 22.32861°N 114.19417°E / 22.32861; 114.19417
Runway
Runway Length Surface
m ft
13/31 3,390 11,122 Asphalt

RAF Kai Tak was a special air base in Hong Kong used by the Royal Air Force (RAF), which is the United Kingdom's air force. It was located at the famous Kai Tak Airport. This base first opened in 1927 and was initially used for seaplanes, which are planes that can land on water. Over time, it also had land-based aircraft.

History of RAF Kai Tak

RAF Kai Tak played an important role in Hong Kong's history. From 1968 to 1978, it was a busy hub for different RAF helicopter units. Other local air forces, like the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force and the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps Air Unit, also used the base.

Eventually, the RAF decided to move most of its operations. They left Kai Tak and relocated to Sek Kong Airfield. This change happened in 1978.

Later, in 1993, a civilian group called the Government Flying Service took over from the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force at Kai Tak. This marked the official end of the Royal Air Force's presence at the airport.

Other Users at the Airfield

Even though RAF Kai Tak was a military base, it shared space with several non-military groups. These groups also used the airfield for their activities:

  • The Far East Flying Training School: This school started in the 1920s and helped people learn to fly. It later changed its name to Far East Flying and Technical School.
  • The Hong Kong Flying Club: This club was founded in 1927 for flying enthusiasts.
  • The Aero Club of Hong Kong: This club started in 1962.
  • Offices for various airlines: Big airlines like Cathay Pacific Airways had offices here.
  • Other aviation companies: This included the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO), which helps fix planes.
  • Educational institutions: The Hong Kong Polytechnic also had a presence.
  • Helicopter services: Companies like Heliservices (Hong Kong) Limited operated from Kai Tak.
  • International airlines: British Overseas Airways Corporation was another user.

Aircraft at Kai Tak

Many different types of aircraft were stationed at RAF Kai Tak over the years. During World War II, from 1941 to 1945, the Japanese military used the base. They even had their famous A6M Zero fighter planes there.

Here are some of the British aircraft that were based at Kai Tak:

Aircraft Type Dates
Gloster Meteor fighter – 1962
de Havilland Vampire fighter – 1962
de Havilland Venom fighter – 1962
Fairey Flycatcher fighter 1927–?
Hawker Horsley bomber 1935–1937
de Havilland Tiger Moth trainer 1935–1937
Chance-Vought Corsair fighter 1950s
Bristol Beaufighter fighter-bomber 1950s
de Havilland Hornet fighter 1950s
Hawker Hunter fighter 1962–1967
Gloster Javelin Mk 9FW Interceptor 1966-1967

Air Force Squadrons

WessexHC2 28Sqn HongKong1983
In 1983, a Westland Wessex HC.2 helicopter from No. 28 Squadron RAF takes off from Kai Tak during a search and rescue exercise. This squadron was usually based at RAF Sek Kong.

An air force squadron is a group of aircraft and pilots that work together as a unit. Many different RAF squadrons were based at Kai Tak during its history. For example, No. 28 Squadron RAF was stationed there at different times, flying various aircraft. The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force also had a presence at Kai Tak for many years, from 1949 to 1993.

Kai Tak Runway Development

The runway at Kai Tak changed a lot over the years. It started as a simple grass strip. In 1939, the first paved runway was built, measuring 457 meters long.

During the Japanese occupation in the 1940s, they extended the runway to 1,371 meters. More extensions followed:

  • In 1956, a new north-south runway was added, measuring 2,194 meters.
  • By 1970, it was 2,541 meters long.
  • In 1975, it reached 3,358 meters.
  • After 1975, the main runway, known as 13/31, was a single asphalt runway that was 3,390 meters long (or about 11,122 feet).

Remaining Buildings and Facilities

Some parts of the old RAF Kai Tak base still exist today. For example, there was a large hangar on Choi Hung Road that used to store planes like Supermarine Spitfires.

Historic Buildings at Kai Tak

Caritas Family Crisis Support Centre
The former Headquarters Building, located along Kwun Tong Road, is now the Caritas Family Crisis Support Centre.
Ex-Royal Air Force Station (Kai Tak), Officers' Quarters 2012 air raid shelter
An air-raid shelter found in the former Officers' Quarters Compound.

Several buildings from the former RAF station are still standing. Three of these, built in 1934, are considered very important historic buildings in Hong Kong. These include the Headquarters Building, the Officers Mess, and an Annex Block.

  • The former Headquarters Building is now home to the Caritas Family Crisis Support Centre, which helps families in need. Before that, it was used as a refugee camp.
  • The former Officers' Quarters Compound, which includes the Officers' Mess, was once a training school for the Hong Kong Police Force. Today, it has been beautifully restored and is part of the Hong Kong Baptist University, housing its Academy of Visual Arts. This restoration even won an award from UNESCO!
  • Another building, the Gray Block, built in 1973, is now called the New Horizons Building and is used by a Christian charity.

See also

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