Pembrey
PEMBREY: Military aerodrome later a major base (Aka RAF LLANELLI)
Note: These pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Military users: WW2: 1940: RAF (Royal Air Force)
*Battle of Britain fighter station
79 Sqdn (Hawker Hurricanes)
92 Sqdn (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
1944: RAF Flying Training Command 25 Group
1 AGS [Air Gunnery School] B&GS (?)
(Avro Ansons, Miles Martinets, Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires & Vickers Wellingtons)
Post 1945: RAF Fighter training base
233 OCU [Operational Conversion Unit] (DH Vampires & Hawker Hunters)
Operated by: 2000: Cpt Winston Thomas Esq
Flying club/school: 2000s: Cambrian Flying Club
Charter: 2000s: South Western Airlines
Location: 6nm WSW of Llanelli
Period of operation: Military 1940 to late 1980s possibly 1990s?
Reopened in 1997
Note: This map is reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runways: 1944: 04/22 1591x46 hard 09/27 1225x46 hard
16/34 1079x46 hard
Note: It appears the RNAS had installed arrester gear and barrier at the end of runway 04/22
2000: 04/22 803x30 hard (A 2001 flight guide says the runway is 45m wide)
Note: Should these plans reach fruition, this runway will be a tad longer than runway 08R/26L at GATWICK!
NOTES: * In various accounts over the years I have come across references to RAF airfields being referred to as “Battle of Britain” airfields and this can be somewhat misleading. Just because an airfield was operational during the ‘Battle of Britain’ does not indicate it played any part in the conflict which was very specific and altogether quite a short period. Most respected historians are agreeing it began on the 10th July and ended on the 31st October 1940. In fact the term ‘Battle of Britain’ itself is very misleading as the bulk of the large combats took place over the south-east and southern England. That famous scene from the film in the Uxbridge bunker, when Churchill asked, “How many are in reserve?,” to which the answer was none – only refers to 11 Group. Most of the RAF bomber squadrons, coastal command squadrons and even several fighter squadrons, were not really directly involved in the ‘Battle’. Indeed, if any did see some action it would have been dealing with what might more accurately be described as skirmishes.
AN UNUSUAL VISITOR
In his excellent book Spitfire's Forgotten Designer, Mike Roussel tells of the concern the RAF had in early 1942 about the appearance of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. A daring plane was hatched to mount a Commando raid in northern France, with the Supermarine test pilot Jeffrey Quill tagging along to steal one. "The raid never actually took place, much to Quill's relief. The reason for its cancellation was due to a Luftwaffe pilot, Oberleutnant Arnim Faber, landing his Fw 190 at Pembry in South Wales on 23 June 1942. Faber had been in combat with Spitfires, was short of fuel and believed he was landing on a Luftwaffe airfield in France."
A SMALL POINT
It’s a small point I know but I was struck by this aerodrome having, in late 1944 at least, all three runways of non-standard length which was quite unusual for the period. This appears to usually indicate use by Coastal Command and/or the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. But, it appears, this airfield remained under RAF control, and, Coastal Command were never based here. If correct, hardly an excuse to rejoice and have a party - damn it.
THE 1950s
To give some idea what was happening at PEMBREY in the 1950s ,when the Hawker Hunter was becoming the RAFs front-line fighter, I would like to quote from Robert Jackson’s excellent book, Britain’s Greatest Aircraft. “Training the Hunter pilots was the responsibility of two Operational Conversion Units, No.229 at Chivenor in Devon and No.233 at Pembrey in South Wales, which was equipped mainly with Hunter F.1s and F.4s that had been retired from the first-line squadrons. Pilots graduated to the Hunter after receiving initial instructional jet training in the de Havilland Vampire T.11 and carrying out live firing in the Vampire F.B.5.”
It was of course only a matter of time until two-seat Hunters replaced the Vampires, the first Hunter T.7s going to CHIVENOR (DEVON) in 1978 before PEMBRY received theirs.
PEMBREY AIRPORT?
In 2005 the Cambrian Flying Club gave their address as PEMBREY AIRPORT but why on earth should they even think PEMBREY rated classification as an airport? Over the years of research I have become rather pedantic about this; now of the opinion that airport status can only be accorded if scheduled services either take place or have taken place, or, regular commercial services such as charter or air cargo feature frequently in the history of the site.
A NEW FUTURE
In October 2019 I was kindly contacted by Winston Thomas MBE who owns PEMBREY and is heading the team dedicated to the regeneration of this airfield to become a significant regional airport. In recent years it has been shared by civil operators and military operations. Looking at the brochure, www.pembreyairport.com, it appears a very strong argument for this airport to succeed is being made.
The runway is being extended to 1200 metres which is pretty much the same length as LONDON CITY AIRPORT, so viable airline operations can commence.
Mr Thomas has also pointed out that since 2002 refuelling and logistical support has been available, 24/7, to Police and Air Ambulance services, plus the Ministry of Defence, and visits by the French and German Air Forces and the U.S.A.F.
The existing runway can support aircraft up to 90 tonnes AUW (All Up Weight), and visits by the Transall C-160 and C-130 Hercules have been made.
The airport fire and rescue services also provided support for the RAF Airbus A400M trials on PEMBREY BEACH - see seperate entry.
I have long banged on about the desirability of opening up old military bases for use as regional airports, and this combination of civil and miltary use seems to be a winning combination. Especially as tourism is becoming one of the major contributors to the British economy. Or was until the Covid 19 pandemic 2020/21.
A VISIT IN APRIL 2024
This visit was rather interesting in that it showed how appearances can be very deceptive. The initial impression is of a rather quaint but friendly aerodrome, albeit with occassional military use during the week and GA at weekends. However, slowly unfolding are plans to develop the site into a regional airport suitable for use by Airbus 320s and similar. The runway has been tested using advance geological surveying methods to determine it is capable of handling aircraft up to 150 tonnes AUW, and the cabling for runway lights and an ILS (Instrument Landing System) are already in place.
The western end of South Wales has a great deal to offer for visitors of course, but has no airport closer than CARDIFF to serve the region, and, with no rail connections from that airport, heavy road congestion common up to and often beyond Swansea, a couple of airlines (at least) have expressed interest.
ALL OF THESE IMAGES PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR
It has to be said, that having visited dozens of aerodromes in the U.K., Amelia's Tearooms, really is something special. Redolent of a past era in many ways, and so much the better for that. Plus, in effect, serving as a "terminal" lounge area and restaurant. Do check the opening times of course but over a cup of tea I saw some delicious meals being served at very reasonable prices.
TO ROUND OFF
A CHANGING WORLD - AS ALWAYS - SITUATION NORMAL
Given my past experience touring around the U.K. and western Europe, plans need to be made in advance. This said, I would consider this aerodrome to be well worth a weekend visit.
Roger Winser
This comment was written on: 2019-10-29 23:32:40RAF Pembrey closed on 1st September 1957, so no two-seat Hunters could have been based there. Pembrey Airport was officially opened on 22nd August 1997 (I was there) with a single runway (04/22). Runway dimensions are 797 metres by 30 metres.
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