Ballykelly

BALLYKELLY: Military aerodrome later with some occasional civil use?

Note: This picture (2018) was obtained from Google Earth ©








 

Military users: WW2: RAF Coastal Command             15 Group

59, 86 & 120 Sqdns  (Consolidated B-24 Liberators)
 

Late 1940s to early 1960s:  

'V' Bomber dispersal airfield 

Joint Anti-Submarine School

1955:  204, 206 & 240 Sqdns   (Avro Shackletons)

Station Flight:  2 x Lockheed Hudsons, 2 x Douglas C-47 Dakotas and an Auster

1959:  203 & 210 Sqdns   (Avro Shackletons)

1962: Joined by 819 Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm    (Westland Wessex HAR.1s)

1980s: 655 Sqdn  (Westland Gazelle & Lynx)

 

Location:  Just N of Ballykenny, about 3nm W of Limavady

Period of operation: Military; 1941 to 1945 (Then Care & Maintenance) Re-opened from 1948 to 1971. In 1971 handed over to the British Army who renamed the site Shackleton Barracks
 

Civil: From ? to later than 2000? (limited civil use only?)

Note: This map was scanned from the AAIB Bulletin:  1/2007
 

Runways: WW2: 03/21   1828x46   hard           08/26   1828x46   hard
                         15/33   1005x46   hard

2001: 02/20   1835x46   hard           08/26   1676x46   hard




 

NOTES: In the early 1960s the site was substantially redeveloped, including at least one runway being lengthened to 2286 metres (03/21?) and four V-bomber dispersals were installed but probably never used? It is said that during the periods when the RAF used the site it remained always in Coastal Command

This aerodrome site was later in use with the British Army and listed for closure in 2007. Up to 2003 RAF C-130 Hercules used this aerodrome but after that only a 662 metre strip was laid in the middle of 08/26 for use by Brittan-Norman Islanders for training and parachuting operations.


MISTAKEN IDENTITY

In March 2006 an Airbus A320 (EI-DIJ) landed here mistaking it for LONDONDERRY - EGLINTON. This might appear to be a rather careless mistake by the crew, but it does happen from time to time, especially if pilots are not familiar with the area. Also, the general layout of the two airfields are remarkably similar.

I do not know if, in this case, the crew were given, or requested, a visual approach. If so, and the airlines are always putting pressure on crews to save costs whenever possible, the temptation to avoid flying an instrument approach must surely be viewed as a good opportunity to earn some 'brownie' points. And, (I can testify to this), if the picture looks just right and conforming to expectations, it is really quite hard to question the situation.

For example I have, once or twice or more, looked out of an airliner window, (as a passenger), and been quite certain that I know what I am looking at; only to discover a few minutes later that, as the scenery unfolds, the picture quickly becomes wrong and needs some serious adjustment. 

 

 
 

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Terry Clark

This comment was written on: 2017-12-25 21:04:10
 
I visited Ballykelly as an ATC Cadet in 1963. It was unique in the UK in that the main Belfast - Londonderry railway line crossed the runway and trains took priority over aircraft!

 
 

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Terry Clark

This comment was written on: 2017-12-27 00:31:08
 
I think you'll find it was 08/26 which was lengthened to 2286m; there is a V-bomber dispersal at the east end plus an extension with turning pan at the west end. This runway was then truncated at the railway line crossing when the RAF handed the airfield over to the army.

 
 

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B.G.KIRK

This comment was written on: 2019-11-10 13:03:42
 
let us not forget 269 squadron(SHACKLETONS) was therein the fifties,to Dec.1st1958 when it was disbanded and reformed as 210 squadron. Once 269 always 269.
 

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