RAF Limavady facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RAF LimavadyRNAS Limavady   |
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| Limavady, County Londonderry in Northern Ireland | |||||||||||
 RAF Limavady
RAF Limavady
Shown within Northern Ireland
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| Coordinates | 55°04′23″N 006°56′15″W / 55.07306°N 6.93750°W | ||||||||||
| Type | Satellite Station | ||||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||||
| Owner | Air Ministry Admiralty |
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| Operator | Royal Air Force Royal Navy |
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| Controlled by | RAF Coastal Command Fleet Air Arm |
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| Site history | |||||||||||
| Built | 1940 | ||||||||||
| In use | 1940 - August 1945 | ||||||||||
| Battles/wars | European theatre of World War II Cold War |
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| Airfield information | |||||||||||
| Elevation | 20 metres (66 ft) AMSL | ||||||||||
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RAF Limavady was a special air base in Northern Ireland. It was also known as Aghanloo airfield. This base was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy during World War II. It was located near the city of Derry.
Contents
History of RAF Limavady
Building the Airfield
The air base was built in 1940. This was during the Second World War. It was a very important time for airfields like Limavady.
Fighting U-boats
RAF Limavady was part of RAF Coastal Command. This group of the RAF helped protect ships in the Atlantic Ocean. They looked for German submarines, called U-boats. These submarines were trying to sink supply ships. The airfield played a big role in keeping the sea lanes safe.
Squadrons and Aircraft
Many different RAF squadrons used RAF Limavady. They flew various types of aircraft from here. These planes helped patrol the coasts and hunt for submarines. Some of the aircraft that operated from Limavady included:
- Avro Anson
- Bristol Beaufort
- Lockheed Hudson
- Bristol Blenheim
- Vickers Wellington
- Hawker Hurricane
- Supermarine Sea Otter
These squadrons were often on temporary duty or moved through Limavady. They came from other bases to help with the important work of coastal defense.
The Fleet Air Arm also used the airfield during the war. The Fleet Air Arm is the part of the Royal Navy that uses aircraft. When the Navy used it, the base was called RNAS Limavady. This continued until 1958. After that, the land was sold.
What is There Now?
After the military left, parts of the old air base were changed. Some areas became an industrial estate. Other parts went back to being farmland. If you look from above, you can still see the old runways and taxiways. They are a reminder of the airfield's past.
