Lough Foyle
Note: This map location has been provided via a web-site using a Google Earth picture. I have no reason to doubt it is accurate.
LOUGH FOYLE: Military US Naval Flying boat Station
Military user: US Navy
Note: I would have thought the US Navy were flying the Curtiss H-16 from here. I can find no evidence to support this - just a mention that the LF.4 was in operation. I cannot find any reference to what a LF.4 was or who built it.,
Location: W of the R238, and W of Aught Bridge. Now in the Republic of Ireland
Period of operation: 1918 to 1919
NOTES: Without any doubt the most remarkable aviation event on Lough Foyle occurred in 1933 when the 'Balbo' Italian Air Force arrived with twenty-four Savoia-Marchetti SM.55X flying boats, en route to fly the Atlantic to tour the USA. Which they succeeded in doing. It appears they stayed three days before departing westwards - but where were they fettled and fuelled. Was it here? It seems doubtful as the base here closed in 1919 - but where else on Lough Foyle could handle this?
Richard Doherty
This comment was written on: 2016-08-01 14:33:28There is photographic evidence that the aircraft operated from NAS Lough Foyle were Curtiss H-16s. Like you, I have no idea what an LF-4 was. The base was almost certainly closed by 31 December 1918 as a local newspaper (Derry Journal, 6 December 1918) reports the second group of 250 personnel embarking from Londonderry on 5 December, leaving only 150 men at the base.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Richard, Many thanks indeed. It is nice to see that H.16s were indeed flown here. I wonder if anybody can identify the mysterious LF.4. Regards, Dick
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