Lancashire At War.co.uk
Exploring the hidden history of War sites in Lancashire
WW2 Airfields in Lancashire and beyond
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This page is an introduction page with links to more in depth pages about each of these sites.
'HMS Ringtail' (RIGHT) sounds like a code name doesn't it? But that is what the World War Two airfield near Burscough was called. Named after a bird, it was a Navy airfield rather than an RAF one - hence the name. The last airfield to be built in Lancashire during WW2 it followed the Navy blueprint for airfields - which differed significantly from RAF airfields. There are still many buildngs standing but slowly the site is being cleared for development
RAF Burtonwood, near Warrington is now sadly completely demolished. Until fairly recently some of its huge hangars could be seen from the M62 motorway.
However, if you look carefully there are a few things still visible and there is an excellent museum that documents its history.
RAF Burtonwood was built specifically for the Second World War, opening in time for the Battle of Britain before being handed over to the United States when they entered the war. It was: "open the longest and was the last to close. It had the most US personnel, the highest production, the most aircraft, the longest runway and even the most marriages." (Lancashire Airfields in the Second World War by Aldon P.Ferguson). See RIGHT
RAF Heywood - 35MU (Maintenance Unit)
Today it is Heywood Distribution Park, a massive industrial estate. But it gives you an idea of how big the original site was. According to a thread on the Airfield Information Exchange some original buildings still exist, though they have been modified and adapted. One area of the site is still under government ownership - the Department for Work and Pensions, and is known as Heywood Stores. See RIGHT
Airfields beyond Lancashire......
RAF Skipton on Swale, (North Yorkshire)
RAF Elsham Wolds (North Lincolnshire)
All that remains today is the one J-Type Hangar. (see RIGHT)