Crail Airfield

7/1918 to /1919 27 Training Depot Station with RE 8, FE 2b and 504K aircraft on fighter reconnaissance patrols.
8/1918 US 120th Aero Sqn here. 3/1919 to 6/1919 104 Sqn RAF.
1919, Airfield closed
1/10/40 to 1947 Rebuilt as Royal Naval Air Station HMS Jackdaw.
11/40 to , 785 and 786 Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Sqns training with Albacore, Swordfish and later Avenger and Barracuda aircraft.
7/41 to 1/44, 770 Sqn, Fleet Requirements Unit, moved to Dunino.
3/43 to 8/43, 778 Sqn, Carrier Trials Unit.
Many operational Sqns here temporarily, including 711, 747, 780, 785, 786, 817, 820, 823 and 832. Airfield also used for Hampdens from Leuchars.
1947 Became HMS Bruce, foreign language school. 1953 to 1958, used by Chipmunks of St Andrews UAS.

Crail airfield
Airfield Today:		Agriculture
Tower Type:		Naval four storey
Tower:		Derelict, site due for redevelopment 2003
Other Buildings:		Many
History:		7/1918 to /1919 27 Training Depot Station with RE 8, FE 2b and 504K aircraft on fighter reconnaissance patrols. 8/1918 US 120th Aero Sqn here. 3/1919 to 6/1919 104 Sqn RAF. 1919, Airfield closed 1/10/40 to 1947 Rebuilt as Royal Naval Air Station HMS Jackdaw. 11/40 to , 785 and 786 Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Sqns training with Albacore, Swordfish and later Avenger and Barracuda aircraft. 7/41 to 1/44, 770 Sqn, Fleet Requirements Unit, moved to Dunino. 3/43 to 8/43, 778 Sqn, Carrier Trials Unit. Many operational Sqns here temporarily, including 711, 747, 780, 785, 786, 817, 820, 823 and 832. Airfield also used for Hampdens from Leuchars. 1947 Became HMS Bruce, foreign language school. 1953 to 1958, used by Chipmunks of St Andrews UAS.

RN Station, HMS Jackdaw
Airfield:		OTU
Opened:		7/1918 to /1919
Reopened:		1/10/1940 to 1958
ID Code:		?
USAAF Station:		N/A
Runways:		4, tarmac
Hangars:		?
County:		Fife, Scotland
Location:		7 miles SE of St Andrews
OS Ref:		NO625085
Links:
©:		Photographs © Rick Garside and Terry Small