RAF Langford Lodge airfield

2003 (© Mike Seaman)

Langford Lodge Air Depot

Agriculture, aviation.

This appears to have been the first military airfield control tower in the UK to be provided with inward-slanting glazing and is unique in terms of its internal layout and design. Built to a Ministry of Aircraft Production specification. It was designed as a two-storey building which for the last year and more of the war was surmounted by a third storey in the form of a temporary, pre-fabricated wooden and glass structure. Post-war this temporary structure was removed.

Ulster Aviation Society Museum

Other Buildings:

Originally planned as 20 SLG for 23 MU, but transferred to USAAF.
02/42 to 08/45, USAAF Base Air Depot 3 for aircraft maintenance and modification work. Run by Lockheed Overseas Corporation on behalf of USAAF.
08/42, HQ First Service Area, 8th Air Force Service Command opened, B-24s and C-47s arriving 11/42, later P-38, P-39, P-47 and B-17s.
LOC assembled and flight tested 950 Lightings and Thunderbolts landed by sea at nearby RAF Belfast, then flown here for inspection and issue to Sqns.
11/42 to 08/44, Over 3,000 aircraft were modified and 11,000 serviced, B-17 Flying Fortress and P-38 Lightnings were the most prolific types.
After closure of BAD 2 airfield retained for experimental work and storage, RAF resumed control 03/46.
Later used by Martin-Baker for ejector seat development.

RAF Langford Lodge airfield

1942 (© USAAF via Ernie Cromie)

1981 (© Ernie Cromie)

2003 (© Mike Seaman)

8th USAAFSC Station

06/42: R-3, 09/42: 597

2x - concrete, tarmac

1x -B1, 3x - Bellman, 7x - T2, (2 Motherwell Bridge type used as workshops)

Antrim, Northern Ireland

3 miles W of Crumlin

All photographs © copyright as stated, ones from the Ulster Aviation Society, via Ernie Cromie. Wall art by artist of 325th Service Group, 8th Air Force painted in 1944, photo taken 1981. The building on which these pictures were painted has since been demolished (not by the UAS) so Ernie's pictures are the only record in existence. See UAS website for details.

RAF Langford Lodge

RAF Langford Lodge airfield

8th USAAFSC Station
Airfield:	BAD 3
Opened:	/1942
Closed:	/1946
Code:	??
USAAF Station:	06/42: R-3, 09/42: 597
Runways:	2x - concrete, tarmac
Hangars:	1x -B1, 3x - Bellman, 7x - T2, (2 Motherwell Bridge type used as workshops)
County:	Antrim, Northern Ireland
Location:	3 miles W of Crumlin
OS Ref:	J100756
Links:	www.ulsteraviationsociety.co.uk
©:	All photographs © copyright as stated, ones from the Ulster Aviation Society, via Ernie Cromie. Wall art by artist of 325th Service Group, 8th Air Force painted in 1944, photo taken 1981. The building on which these pictures were painted has since been demolished (not by the UAS) so Ernie's pictures are the only record in existence. See UAS website for details.
RAF Langford Lodge

Langford Lodge Air Depot
Airfield Today:	Agriculture, aviation.
Tower Type:	This appears to have been the first military airfield control tower in the UK to be provided with inward-slanting glazing and is unique in terms of its internal layout and design. Built to a Ministry of Aircraft Production specification. It was designed as a two-storey building which for the last year and more of the war was surmounted by a third storey in the form of a temporary, pre-fabricated wooden and glass structure. Post-war this temporary structure was removed.
Tower:	Ulster Aviation Society Museum
Other Buildings:	Not known
History:	Originally planned as 20 SLG for 23 MU, but transferred to USAAF. 02/42 to 08/45, USAAF Base Air Depot 3 for aircraft maintenance and modification work. Run by Lockheed Overseas Corporation on behalf of USAAF. 08/42, HQ First Service Area, 8th Air Force Service Command opened, B-24s and C-47s arriving 11/42, later P-38, P-39, P-47 and B-17s. LOC assembled and flight tested 950 Lightings and Thunderbolts landed by sea at nearby RAF Belfast, then flown here for inspection and issue to Sqns. 11/42 to 08/44, Over 3,000 aircraft were modified and 11,000 serviced, B-17 Flying Fortress and P-38 Lightnings were the most prolific types. After closure of BAD 2 airfield retained for experimental work and storage, RAF resumed control 03/46. Later used by Martin-Baker for ejector seat development.
RAF Langford Lodge airfield