Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum - Need some detail about AIRFIELD in England during WWII !

It is logical that the same standard rules ought to apply at all Air Force aerodromes in Great Britain / UK during WW2.

However, some Aerodromes and Airfields did have their own extra / additional rules, for example because of where the Aerodrome or Airfield was sited, obstacles or obstructions, HT wires, tall buildings, churches, balloons etc.

If I remember correctly I seem to recall seeing various Aerodrome sign examples in a publication.

There is a February 1940 Air Ministry "Signal Book for use in Air Navigation" Air Publication AP 1795 (which I have seen). Try Museums and BL, Euston (The BL need advance notice and ordering for this AP 1795 publication and several proofs of FORMAL identity which they specify with address, plus a Photo Driving Licence or Passport for a Readers Ticket)!

The 1941 King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions of the Royal Air Force (RAF Museum, Hendon have a copy), King's Reg (KR) Para No.754 "Standard Signals for Flying Control" refers to night rules at Air Force aerodromes in AP 129.

The same 1941 King's Regulations Para No.751 "Air Force Aerodrome - Rules" (general common sense rules), has just over a page and refers again to AP 129. But I cannot see any reference to a different rule for Canadians using Air Force Aerodromes in Britain. Let me know if you find anything to the contrary.

Regarding No. 751 in 1941 this refers you to Appendix XXVI (printed in the back of the volume) to Schedule IV, para 35, being part of the rules laid down in the Air Navigation (Consolidation) Order, 1923, which were revised by the Air Navigation (Amendment) Orders, 1937 and 1938. But this information might probably be too early?

TNA, Kew and probably the RAF Museum ought to have Acts and Air Navigation Orders. Some County Archives have acquired some, try also a search on "A2A" (Access to Archives).

Is there a particular reason for your request?

Aerodromes had a flashing aerodrome identification beacon or 'Pundit Light' some were moveable on a trailer and this Beacon usually flashed the aerodrome letters in morse and each aerodrome would have had its own identification code / lettering which could be changed. A mobile 'Chance light' (named after Chance Brothers & Co of Smethwick, the makers) was similar and usually marked the runway approach.

Before RAF Bombers left on Ops they would be given the following about Beacons:-
"Beacon. LY 090 degrees N - 5 miles"
I am told on this particular night that when they got to the beacon flashing "LY" they were 5 miles away from the aerodrome and had to steer 090 degrees from North for 5 miles.

An RAF signals chap told me that they were manning an aerodrome mobile flashing light on a trailer and they were instructed to move it for that night's Op and that night a bomb fell exactly where they were with the light the night before! What an escape!

Chance Brothers, being a light manufacturer to the Air Ministry made a lot of individual airfield lights and lighting.

Try looking at the Station ORB in AIR 28, they sometimes refer to things about a Station when it is first opened, or when Flying rules were amended (although some have little detail).

The RAF Museum have a published book (Not the Action Stations series) researched by the Airfield Research Group and there is a bit about each Airfield and Aerodrome. Some members and other authors have also written and published in more detail regarding particular aerodromes and airfields.

AVIA 2 files at TNA, Kew have files on Aerodromes (named), some of these suggestions might be a bit of long shot, but it is amazing what is out there.

Regards Mark