Devonport HMNB
DEVONPORT HMNB: Naval flying site? Naval helicopter landing area(s)
HMNB = Her Majesty's Naval Base
NOTES: There are copious mentions of British Navy warships equipped with or for use by aeroplanes visiting for various reasons the Devonport Naval dockyards. As far as I am aware no fixed-wing flying activity actually took place within the DEVONPORT dockyard waters on the River Tamar? Any fixed-wing flying required by floatplanes and flying boats was usually taking place from nearby CATTEWATER later named MOUNTBATTEN.
But, I would nevertheless be rather surprised if no flying activity ever took place from the River Tamar? Perhaps somebody can kindly offer advice?
In more recent years I am quite certain that Naval helicopters visit DEVONPORT on a fairly regular basis, and in fact have seen them in the area at very low level. A close look at the dockyards on Google Earth does show a helipad marked with a 'H' at the southern end of the site. Also, a bit further north, a largish area marked with diagonal stripes with a warning to 'Keep Clear At All Times' has all the signs of being ideal for helicopter use.
At the northern end of the site, at least four highly suitable areas can be seen, both hard and grass.
On the other hand, I suppose that helicopters might well have been flown off, or onto, Navy ships in the docks?
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