RNAS Caldale facts for kids

Quick facts for kids RNAS Caldale RAF Caldale
Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland
RNAS Caldale
Coordinates	58°58′41″N 3°01′12″W / 58.978°N 3.020°W / 58.978; -3.020
Type	Military - Airship station
Site information
Owner	Air Department 1915-1918 Air Ministry 1918-1920
Controlled by	Royal Naval Air Service  Royal Air Force
Site history
Built	1915 (1915)
In use	July 1916-1920 (1920).
Battles/wars	First World War

RNAS Caldale was an important airship base. It was used by the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I. This base was located near Kirkwall in Orkney, Scotland. It was built in 1915 and operated from 1916 until 1920.

History of RNAS Caldale

Airships and Their Missions

RNAS Caldale had two very large hangars. These buildings were like giant garages for airships. The airships kept here were called Submarine Scout Pusher (SSP) airships.

These SSP airships were used for important missions. They would fly over the sea near Orkney. Their main jobs were to look for enemy submarines and spot dangerous mines. This helped protect ships and people during the war.

Challenges and Changes

Operating airships from Caldale was very risky. The weather in Orkney can be very wild. Strong winds were a big problem for the airships. In November 1917, two airships, SSP-2 and SSP-4, were destroyed by high winds. Sadly, some people were lost during these incidents.

Because of the strong winds and damage to the airships, the navy decided to close the airship base. They moved the remaining airships to safer locations further south in Britain.

After the airships left, the base found a new purpose. In January 1918, RNAS Caldale became a repair station for kite balloons. These were large balloons used for observation. It was home to No. 20 Kite Balloon Base.

What's There Now?

Today, the land where RNAS Caldale once stood is empty. There are no buildings left from the old airship station. It is now just open land.

Find Out More

• List of former Royal Air Force stations