Woodvale
WOODVALE: Military aerodrome
PICTURES: By the author on a short visit, passing by in August 2016.
Note: A high degree of security is evident at this military airfield. Presumably because we cannot possibly allow alien foreign powers to discover the secrets involved in training University Air Squadron cadets flying super secret Grob Tutors?
Military users: WW2: RAF Fighter Command 12 Group Forward Airfield
308, 315, 316 & 317 (Polish) Sqdns (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
285 AAC Sqdn (Airspeed Oxfords & Hawker Hurricanes)
Post 1945:
It appears that 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron, flying Spitfires and by then a RAF Auxiliary Squadron, moved here from SPEKE in July 1946. But, when equipped with Gloster Meteors in 1948 the runways were too short, so they relocated to HOOTON PARK on the Wirral, west of Liverpool.
THUM (Temperature & Humidity Flight) (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
Manchester + Liverpool UAS [University Air Squadrons] (DHC.1 Chipmunks & Beagle Bulldogs)
10 AEF [Air Experience Flights] (DHC.1 Chipmunks) Typically for Air Training Cadets
2013: Liverpool University Air Squadron and Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron (Grob 115 Tutors)
Operated by: 2000: Serco Aerospace on behalf of the RAF
Aero Club: Pre 1940: Liverpool and District Aero Club
Post 1945: Southport Flying Club, West Lancs Flying Club
Location: W of A565, N of Formby, 4.5nm SSW of Southport, 11nm NNW of Liverpool
Period of operation: 1930s to -
Note: This map is reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runways: WW2: 04/22 1463x46 hard 09/27 1052x46 hard
17/35 1006x46 hard
1990: 04/22 1449x46 hard 09/27 1056x46 hard
2000: 04/22 1649x46 hard 09/27 1056x46 hard
NOTES: The THUM Spitfires, three PR.XIXs, were operated under a civilian contract until 1957. They were then ‘assigned’ to the Historic Aircraft Flight at BIGGIN HILL (KENT) to join the one and only Hurricane with which the HAF had started. The transit flight via DUXFORD for the trio was not much of a success; PS915 failed to start and PS853 had an engine failure on take-off, ending up tipped on its nose. PS631 did take-off but returned when its pilot realised PS853 had ‘failed to get off’. These were just a few of the trials and tribulations the HAF had to overcome in the early days. With much perseverance and virtually, (if any?), no official support in those days the HAF eventually became the cherished Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
PRIVATE FLYING
In 1975 it appears WOODVALE was open to private and club aircraft and in 1977 Miles M.38 Messenger 2A G-AJWB was apparently based here in non-flying condition. Better able to take to skies that year were the Piper PA-22 Colt 108 G-ARND, Piel CP.301A Emeraude G-ARUV, Cessna 337 G-ATID, Cessna F.172H G-AVIR of the West Lanacahire Aero Club. In addition were the Piper PA-28 Cherokee 140 G-AWBD, Grumman AA-5 Traveller G-BAVR, the DHC.1 Chipmunk G-BCOO and the Cessna FRA.150L G-BCVH.
A SMALL PERSONAL MEMORY
When James Roland and I flew G-DRAM, (a Cessna 172 Reims-Rocket floatplane), from LOCH EARN to SWANAGE in 2003 for our small part in celebrating the centennary of powered flight we flew past WOODVALE following the coast. Whilst doing so an instructor, (presumably in the circuit?), asked us… “Any chance of a sample!”
Keith Atherton
This comment was written on: 2018-05-02 11:51:20Dear Sir / Madam, Sorry yo bother you but I am looking to get a security job within RAF Woodvale. Can you please tell me of any vacancy or point me in the right direction Many thanks Keith
Aldon Ferguson
This comment was written on: 2020-04-03 15:29:28Regret your post WWII hisotry is haywire. At end of WWII Woodvale was taken over by the Admiralty and became a 'tender' to HMS Ringtail at Burscough as 'Ringtail 2', flying a mix including Fireflies. At the end of hostilities it transfered back to the RAF who initially occupied it woth ground units then reformed 611 Sqn there with Spitfire XVI's and F.22 until re-equipping with Metoer F4's in 1951. In a cost saving excercise it was decided to move 611 to joiun 610 at Hooton Park and move the Hooton Park units to Woodvale. They were the THUM Flight with Spit PRXIX's, 19 RFS with Ansons and Chipmunks and Liverpool UAS with Chipmunks. Manchester UAS later moved across to Woodvale from Barton. The THUM Flt was a weather forecasting unit and gave up its Spitfires for Mosquitoes in June 1957. The three remaining Spitfire XIX's formed the RAF BoB Memorial Flight. The Mosquitoes were retired and THUM Flt closed in 1959. Current units (2020) are Manchester & Salford UAS, Liverpool UAS, 10 AEF all flying Grobs and 611 Sqn Royal Auxiliary Air Force (no aircraft).
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