RAF Kirkistown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RAF KirkistownHMS Corncrake II   |
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| Portavogie, County Down in Northern Ireland | |||||||||||
 RAF Kirkistown
RAF Kirkistown
Shown within Northern Ireland
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| Coordinates | 54°27′18″N 005°27′57″W / 54.45500°N 5.46583°W | ||||||||||
| Type | Satellite station | ||||||||||
| Code | IK | ||||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||||
| Owner | Air Ministry Admiralty |
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| Operator | Royal Air Force Royal Navy |
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| Controlled by | RAF Fighter Command 1941-44 RAF Northern Ireland 1944-45 Fleet Air Arm |
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| Site history | |||||||||||
| Built | 1940/41 | ||||||||||
| In use | July 1941 – 1952 | ||||||||||
| Battles/wars | European theatre of World War II | ||||||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||||||
| Elevation | 6 metres (20 ft) AMSL | ||||||||||
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RAF Kirkistown was a special airfield used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. It was located near Portavogie in County Down, Northern Ireland. This airfield was a "satellite" base, meaning it supported a larger main airfield nearby.
Its main purpose was to help the RAF protect the skies. It worked closely with RAF Ballyhalbert, which was the main air base on the Ards Peninsula.
Contents
History of the Airfield
Starting as an RAF Base
RAF Ballyhalbert officially opened on June 28, 1941. Just a month later, in July 1941, the Kirkistown satellite airfield also opened. These airfields were important for defending the area during World War II.
On January 22, 1942, a group of planes and pilots called No. 504 Squadron RAF moved to Kirkistown. They were part of the RAF's efforts to keep the country safe.
In 1945, after the war, the main Ballyhalbert Airfield was given a new name: "H.M.S. Corncrake". This meant it became a base for the Royal Navy's air force, known as the Fleet Air Arm. Because Kirkistown was its satellite, it was then called "H.M.S. Corncrake II".
Squadrons and Units at Kirkistown
Many different groups of planes and people were based at Kirkistown during its time as an airfield. These units helped with various tasks, from flying fighter planes to towing targets for practice.
Here are some of the units that were stationed there:
- No. 485 Squadron RNZAF (from New Zealand)
- 808 Naval Air Squadron
- 818 Naval Air Squadron
- 835 Naval Air Squadron
- 881 Naval Air Squadron
- 885 Naval Air Squadron
- 887 Naval Air Squadron
- No. 1493 (Target Towing) Flight RAF (later became No. 1493 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight RAF)
- No. 2898 Squadron RAF Regiment
- No. 4117 Anti-Aircraft Flight RAF Regiment
What is There Today?
Today, the old RAF Kirkistown airfield is no longer used for military planes. Instead, it has been turned into a place for exciting races!
The site is now home to the Kirkistown Circuit. This is a popular track where people race cars and motorcycles. The race circuit uses parts of the old runways and roads that were once used by aircraft.
See also
- List of former Royal Air Force stations
