RNAS Rattray

Royal Navy Air Station Rattray or RNAS Rattray (HMS Merganser) and also known as Crimond Airfield, Crimond Aerodrome or Rattray Aerodrome was a Royal Naval Air Station near Crimond, Aberdeenshire.

RNAS Rattray
Crimond, Aberdeenshire in Scotland
View of the airfield
RNAS Rattray is located in Aberdeenshire
RNAS Rattray
RNAS Rattray
Shown within Aberdeenshire
Coordinates57°36′44″N 01°53′01″W
TypeRoyal Naval Air Station
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRoyal Navy
Site history
BuiltMarch 1943 (1943)
In useJuly 1943-present
Airfield information
Elevation13 metres (43 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
06/24 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) Concrete
11/29 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) Concrete
15/33 900 metres (2,953 ft) Concrete
02/20 900 metres (2,953 ft) Concrete
Commissioned3 October 1944

History

The station started to be built from March 1943, with 774 Naval Air Squadron moving in from July 1943 for Telegraphist Air Gunners training but the site was not commissioned until 3 October 1944.

The base then switched to training Torpedo Bombing Reconnaissance crews.

The following units were here at some point:

The base was closed in 1946, being moved into a state of care & maintenance. It was also used as a Royal Naval Wireless Station until 2004.

Current use

The site is home to a high frequency transmitter station forming part of the Defence High Frequency Communications Service. The station is operated by Babcock International Group on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.[3]

See also

References

Citations

  1. "HMS Merganser / RNAS Crimond / RNAS Rattray / RNAS Rattray Head". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  2. Smith 1983, p. 177.
  3. "Defence High Frequency Communications Service" (PDF). High Frequency Industry Association. Babcock International Group. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  4. MacKinnon, Angus (2010). "The Loss of HM Submarine Vandal (P64) off the Isle of Arran in 1943". ClydeMaritime. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  5. "HMS/M Vandal: Inchmarnock Water, Sound Of Bute, Firth Of Clyde". Canmore. Edinburgh: Historic Environment Scotland. 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  6. McCart, Neil (2001). HMS Vanguard 1944–1960: Britain's Last Battleship. Liskeard, Cornwall: Maritime Books. ISBN 0-907771-83-1.

Bibliography

  • Smith, D J (1983). Action Stations: Vol 7. Military airfields of Scotland, the North-East and Northern Ireland. Cambridge: Patrick Stephens Limited. ISBN 0-85059-563-0.
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