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Dunkeswell
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1944-45
(© US Navy)
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2006
(© Robert Truman)
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RAF
Dunkeswell airfield
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Airfield Today:
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Agriculture,
aviation, industry
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Tower Type:
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Watch Office for All
Commands 12779/41 with medium front windows to 343/43
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Tower:
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Dunkeswell
USN airfield museum
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Other
Buildings:
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Many
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History:
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Originally planned as a Fighter Command, then a Coastal
Command airfield, but transferred for use by American units. 06/08/1943
to 09/1943, 4th, 6th, 19th and 22nd Anti Submarine Squadrons of the 479th
Anti Submarine Group. 24/09/1943
to 07/1945, VB-103, Fleet Air Wing 7, of the United States Navy. This
was the first USN unit to train with the RAF, later followed by VB-105
and VB-110. Equipped with Liberators then PB4Y-1 Privateers on anti-submarine
patrols. 10/1944 Squadrons renamed VPB-. 07/11/1944 to /1945, Moved to Upottery during runway repairs. 08/45 to 04/46,
16 Ferry Unit, RAF Transport Command, from Llandow
ferrying aircraft to the Middle East.09/1946 to 12/1948, Used by No. 265 and 267 Maintenance Units. |
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RAF
Dunkeswell airfield
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1944-45
(© US Navy)
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2006
(© Robert Truman)
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U.S. Naval Air Facility
Dunkeswell, Navy Station 804
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Airfield:
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Operational
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Opened:
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07/1943
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Closed:
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02/1949
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ID Code:
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DW
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USAAF Station:
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173
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Runways:
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3 concrete, tarmac
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Hangars:
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5x - T2
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County:
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Devon
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Location:
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5 miles NW of Honiton
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OS Ref:
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ST132079
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©:
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Airfield photos
all © copyright as stated
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RAF
Dunkeswell airfield
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AML
Bombing Teacher
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Turret
Trainer
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Fabric
Store
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T2
hangar
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Double
Link Trainer 2003
(© Colin Russell)
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RAF
Dunkeswell airfield - USN
VPB-103 - VPB-105 - VPB-110 -
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1985
(© Steve Collins)
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Here
is a picture of the buildings around the old USN watch tower when it housed
the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Sport Parachute Association, (RN&RMSPA).
The Cessna 182 in the foreground is G-ASHB, known as the Gash Bucket,
it was the jump ship for the parachute club.
The black nissen hut in the centre of the picture was used as a parachute packing shed, and the two buildings on the left were used as a parachute store, and a training hall. The old watch tower housed the club office, a kitchen, lecture rooms and accommodation for students who were on parachute courses. |
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RAF
Dunkeswell airfield - USN
VPB-103 - VPB-105 - VPB-110 -
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RAF
Dunkeswell airfield + airport control tower pictures = www.controltowers.co.uk
© robert truman 2003
- USN - United States Navy airfield WW2 - |