RNAS Pulham

RNAS Pulham (later RAF Pulham) was a Royal Navy Air Service (RNAS) airship station, near Pulham St Mary 18 mi (29 km) south of Norwich, UK. Though land was purchased by the Admiralty in 1912 the site was not operational until 1915. From 1918 to 1958, the unit was a Royal Air Force establishment. The land today is in private ownership, and little remains above ground. However, the Pennoyer Centre in Pulham St Mary holds an extensive archive of photographs and memorabilia relating to the Air Station.[1]

RNAS Pulham
Looking North east at the R-33 at its mooring mast at RNAS Pulham circa 1921. Shed 2 is on the left and shed 1 is on the right. The hydrogen storage tanks can be seen behind.
Summary
Airport typeMilitary: Airship station
OperatorRoyal Navy, RAF
LocationPulham St Mary
In use1915–1948
Elevation AMSL138 ft / 42 m
Coordinates52°24′26″N 1°13′45″E
Map
RNAS Pulham is located in Norfolk
RNAS Pulham
RNAS Pulham
Location in Norfolk

History

Pulham was one of the main British airship stations, with more than 3,000 men on the base at the end of the First World War. Initially it was used for airships that operated patrols over the North Sea (such as the Coastal and SS types) until their areas were taken over by seaplanes.

The R34 landed at RNAS Pulham to complete the first two-way flown crossing of the Atlantic in July 1919.

The R34 over RNAS Pulham

After the loss of the R101 in 1930 and the end of British airships the station was moved on to a care and maintenance basis only.[2]

In its heyday Pulham had its own hydrogen plant, one small and two large airship sheds (one was later moved to Cardington base in 1930, the other was scrapped in 1948) and a permanent mooring mast.

During World War II, Pulham Air Station was used as an aircraft salvage yard. The RAF used Pulham for storage and Maintenance Unit work until closure in 1958.

See also

References
  1. "Pennoyer Centre web site".
  2. "Airship Heritage Trust".

Further reading
  • Gordon K. Kinsey (1988). Pulham Pigs. Terence Dalton. ISBN 978-0-86138-050-3.
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