Turnberry
TURNBERRY: Military aerodrome later civil airfield with temporary use?)
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: I have added the area view.
Military users: WW1: RFC/RAF (Royal Flying Corps / Royal Air Force)
No.1 School of Aerial Fighting
Note: In his most excellent book, For Valour - The Air VCs, Chaz Bowyer, in his history of Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees, tells us this after Rees had been awarded a VC. "Once fit again for duty, Rees was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 May 1917 and travelled to the USA as one of Harold Balfour's Mission entourage." The USA were very reluctant to get involved in an European war, until the threat to them was explained. Just has it had to be, all over again, in WW2.
"On his return he was appointed, appropriately, as commander of No.1 School of Aerial Fighting, Turnberry in Ayrshire, where his experience, skill and example were to play a large part in inculcating many of the RFC and RAF's great fighting pilots in the tradition of constant offensive which had always been his personal creed. He remained at Turnberry for the remainder of the war."
This was an aspect of the air war in WW1 which I think, is rarely explained. The RFC, almost from the start, mounted operations into German held territory, whereas the German air forces rarely ventured over Allied held areas. Just how much effect this had on the eventual outcome in WW1 is debatable of course, but, as in WW2 eventually, the constant appearance of Allied aircraft over their territory, must surely have had a substantial effect in demoralising the troops on the ground?
No.2 Auxiliary School of Aerial Gunnery
WW2: RAF Coastal Command 17 Group
5 OTU (Bristol Beaufighters, Lockheed Hudsons & Venturas plus Vickers Warwicks)
Location: E of A719, SW of Maldens, W to NW of A77, 6nm N of Girvan
Period of operation: Military: 1917 to 1919 (Possibly continuous operation till 1945?) Civil: 1960s only?
Site area: WW1: 370 acres 1646 x 1143
Runways: WW2: 04/22 1838x46 hard 18/36 1280x46 hard
09/27 1143x46 hard
NOTES: Since WW2 did part of this aerodrome (at the SE end) become part of the famous golf course area? Or did Turnberry have its own airstrip?.
A commercial pilot, (actually a very good friend of mine), was once given a parking ticket by a overly diligent, (and arguably barking mad?), local police constable for ‘parking’ his aeroplane on part of this 'airfield'. Is this a unique occurrence for such an ‘offence’?
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