RN Stretton airfield HMS Blackcap

1960 (© Harry Holmes)

Stretton airfield - HMS Blackcap

Agriculture, industry, M56 motorway

1. Watch Office for Fighter Satellite Stations 3156/41
2. Watch Office for all Commands 12779/41

1. Demolished
2. Demolished

Other Buildings:

Almost nothing left

Planned as an RAF airfield but transferred to the Admiralty on completion. 1/6/42, HMS Blackcap commissioned and over 40 Fleet Air Arm Squadrons were based here for short periods, aircraft being flown directly to and from aircraft carriers at Liverpool. In 1944 also used as an Aircraft Repair Yard, new aircraft being delivered here for modifications before being sent to operational units, later used for scrapping unwanted aircraft post-war.
Fairey Aviation also used the airfield for flight testing repaired Barracudas, Fireflies and Fulmars.
Post-war the airfield was mainly used by RNVR Squadrons and by the Air Yard.

Black dot shows approximate position of Control Tower 2003 (© Robert Heywood)

3 concrete, tarmac

3 miles SE of Warrington

RN Stretton airfield

RN Station
Airfield:	Air Yard
Opened:	1/6/42
Closed:	/4/59
Code:	?
USAAF Station:	N/A
Runways:	3 concrete, tarmac
Hangars:
County:	Cheshire
Location:	3 miles SE of Warrington
OS Ref:	SJ652825
©:	All photographs copyright © as stated
HMS Blackcap

Stretton airfield - HMS Blackcap
Airfield Today:	Agriculture, industry, M56 motorway
Tower Type:	1. Watch Office for Fighter Satellite Stations 3156/41 2. Watch Office for all Commands 12779/41
Tower:	1. Demolished 2. Demolished
Other Buildings:	Almost nothing left
History:	Planned as an RAF airfield but transferred to the Admiralty on completion. 1/6/42, HMS Blackcap commissioned and over 40 Fleet Air Arm Squadrons were based here for short periods, aircraft being flown directly to and from aircraft carriers at Liverpool. In 1944 also used as an Aircraft Repair Yard, new aircraft being delivered here for modifications before being sent to operational units, later used for scrapping unwanted aircraft post-war. Fairey Aviation also used the airfield for flight testing repaired Barracudas, Fireflies and Fulmars. Post-war the airfield was mainly used by RNVR Squadrons and by the Air Yard.