RAF Langford Lodge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RAF Langford LodgeNo. 20 Satellite Landing Ground  |
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| Crumlin, County Antrim in Northern Ireland | |||||||||
 RAF Langford Lodge
RAF Langford Lodge
Shown within Northern Ireland
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| Coordinates | 54°37′10″N 6°18′00″W / 54.61944°N 6.30000°W | ||||||||
| Type | Satellite Station | ||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||
| Owner | Air Ministry | ||||||||
| Operator | Royal Air Force United States Army Air Forces |
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| Controlled by | RAF Maintenance Command RAF Flying Training Command |
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| Site history | |||||||||
| Built | 1941 | ||||||||
| In use | 1941-1953 | ||||||||
| Battles/wars | European theatre of World War II | ||||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||||
| Elevation | 100 ft (30 m) AMSL | ||||||||
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Royal Air Force Langford Lodge or more simply RAF Langford Lodge is a former Royal Air Force station near Belfast, Northern Ireland. Today the airfield is owned by RLC (UK) a subsidiary of RLC Engineering Group which is headquartered in the Isle of Man. Langford Lodge is located on the eastern shores of Lough Neagh and close to RAF Aldergrove/Belfast International Airport and the former RAF Nutts Corner.
The site was also known as No. 20 Satellite Landing Ground.
History
Opened in 1942 the base was an air depot for the United States Army Air Forces, as such thousands of aircraft were processed on their way to active service in Britain, North Africa, the Mediterranean and mainland Europe.
The following units were here at some point:
- No. 4 Air Navigation School RAF was formed here on 22 September 1952 but disbanded less than two months later on 15 November 1952
- No. 5 Air Navigation School RAF from 15 November 1952 until 31 January 1953 using Avro Ansons until it was disbanded
- Sub site of No. 257 Maintenance Unit RAF (March 1946– ?)
Langford Lodge was a target in Operation Grün (Ireland), a second front to Operation Sea Lion, which was the planned Nazi invasion of Britain. German paratroopers were to capture Langford Lodge, Aldergrove and Nutts Corner while RAF Long Kesh, Lisburn was to be destroyed.
Notably, on 2 March 1989 a Dan-Air BAe 748 from Newcastle, bound for Belfast International Airport, mistakenly landed at Langford Lodge.
Some of the wartime airfield facilities used to house the Ulster Aviation Society's Heritage Centre. Exhibits included a Blackburn Buccaneer, a Hawker Sea Hawk and a Westland Wessex. In 2005 the society moved to Maze Long Kesh, Lisburn.
Today
Langford Lodge is currently home to two model flying clubs; Langford Model Aviation and Langford Model Heli Club.
There is a 6,200 feet (1,900 m) rocket sled track owned by Martin-Baker for ejection seat testing. The track, running alongside the old main runway, has been in use since 1971.
See also
- List of former Royal Air Force stations
