RAF Felixstowe

Royal Air Force Felixstowe, or more simply RAF Felixstowe, is a former Royal Air Force station located 2.7 miles (4.3 km) northeast of Harwich, Essex, England and 10.7 miles (17.2 km) southeast of Ipswich, Suffolk.

RAF Felixstowe
Felixstowe, Suffolk
Aerial view, 1933.
RAF Felixstowe
Location within Suffolk
Coordinates51.945°N 1.321°E / 51.945; 1.321
TypeRoyal Air Force station
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
Controlled by Royal Air Force
Site history
In useApril 1918-April 1962 (1962)
Battles/warsFirst World War
Second World War

History

A Consolidated Model 28-5 (P96300), shortly after joining the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment for trials in July 1939.

Felixstowe was commissioned 5 August 1913 under the command of Captain C. E. Risk, RM as Seaplanes, Felixstowe, followed by Lieutenant C. E. H. Rathborne, RN in 1914 and Lieutenant-Commander John Cyril Porte, RN in 1915. RNAS Felixstowe was created soon after the outbreak of World War I following the formation of the Royal Naval Air Service, 1 July 1914.

On formation of the Royal Air Force 1 April 1918, the unit was renamed the Seaplane Experimental Station, Felixstowe and disbanded in June 1919. 'C', 'D' and 'E' Boat Seaplane Training Flights were all formed on 8 August 1918 and were disbanded during 1919 with no known aircraft operated while at Felixstowe.[1][2][3]

Notable members of the RAF were based at Felixstowe, including, among others, Frank Whittle, credited with the invention of the turbojet engine, and T.E. Lawrence, commonly known as Lawrence of Arabia.[4]

RAF Felixstowe closed 21 June 1962.

The following units were posted here:

Current use

The site is now the Port of Felixstowe,[10] with nothing remaining of the hangars, slipways and jettys.[19]

See also

References

Citations

  1. Lake 1999, p. 41.
  2. Lake 1999, p. 56.
  3. Lake 1999, p. 57.
  4. "Former RAF base remembered". Ipswich Star. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2019. Those who served at RAF Felixstowe included Flying Officer Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine, and Aircraftsman 1st Class TE Shaw, better known as Lawrence of Arabia.
  5. Jefford 1988, p. 32.
  6. Jefford 1988, p. 70.
  7. Jefford 1988, p. 74.
  8. Jefford 1988, p. 77.
  9. Lake 1999, p. 52.
  10. "Felixstowe". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  11. Lake 1999, p. 73.
  12. Lake 1999, p. 74.
  13. Lake 1999, p. 77.
  14. Lake 1999, p. 66.
  15. Lake 1999, p. 101.
  16. Lake 1999, p. 130.
  17. Lake 1999, p. 137.
  18. Lake 1999, p. 136.
  19. Trippitt, Mike (22 May 2018). "The fascinating history behind Felixstowe's flying boats". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 8 June 2018.

Bibliography

  • Jefford, C G (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Lake, A (1999). Flying units of the RAF. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
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