Bridgend
the town by the river
RAF Stormy Down
It was an armament training school for the Royal Air
Force 
Armament training
Lancaster gunners
Gunnery techniques
After the RAF departed the French took the station over and
later American forces were also stationed at 'Stormy'. Flying ceased in
August 1944 due to the dangerous grass landing strip. However the airfield
continued to be used for occasional private aircraft and a glider club for a
number of years.
Stormy Down parented the RAF marine base at Porthcawl
harbour. It ceased use as a flying station because the chalk was collapsing
due to the rain. Once the RAF personnel left it became a French Air Force
and Naval Aviation Initial Training school. The airfield continued in use by
an Air Training Corps gliding school and then a gliding club. There was only
one aircraft landing there after the field shut and the pilot was lucky to
escape prosecution. The only American involvement was the garaging of two
Piper Cub reconnaissance aircraft from Porthcawl.
Piper Cub
The following units were at Stormy down at some
point:
* No. 2 Service Flying Training School
* No. 3 Service Flying Training School
* No. 7 Air Gunners School
* No. 7 Air Observers School
* No. 7 Bombing & Gunnery School
No. 7 Service Flying Training School
* No. 9 Armament Training Station
* No. 9 Service Flying Training School
* No. 14 Operational Training Unit RAF
* No. 23 (French) Initial Training Wing
* No. 32 (French) Personnel Reception Centre
* No. 68 Elementary Gliding School
* No. 68 Gliding School RAF
Coordinates 51°30′15″N 003°40′13″W
Coordinates: 51°30′15″N 003°40′13″W
Type: Royal Air Force station
Site information
Owner: Air Ministry
Operator: Royal Air Force
Site history
Built: 1939
In use: 1939-1947
Airfield information
Elevation
97 metres (318 ft) AMSL
Runways: Grass field
Land to build this airfield was requisitioned in 1937, and the initial
facilities were completed by 1 June 1939. These new facilities include
wooden buildings for accommodation, sick bay and workshops.
A VR type hangar and a few concrete buildings had been added by 1940.
Between February and August 1944, the grass runway was levelled and new hard
standing built. Pierced steel Sommerfield trackway was also installed to
stabilise the runway's surface. The airfield was originally named
Porthcawl, but was renamed Stormy Down early in 1940. The base was initially
destined to be 9 Armament Training Station, but was designated 7 Observers
School in September 1940. The first unit to be based at Stormy Down was 7
Air Gunnery School (AGS) from November 1939 flying Armstrong Whitworth
Whitleys and Fairey Battles.
Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys c.1940
Fairey Battles c.1940
By 1942, these aircraft had been replaced with Avro Ansons, Boulton Defiants
and Westland Lysanders.
Two camouflaged Avro Ansons Mk.Is
Boulton Defiants
Westland Lysanders
In November 1943, a cine-gun flight was formed with Miles Martinets to
assist student with the learning procedures for curve-of-pursuit attacks.
Two Piper Cubs belonging to the US Army utilised the hangers at the end of
1943.
Piper Cub
In February 1944, 7 AGS moved to RAF Rhoose. In August 1944, when the
airfield re-opened 7 AGS returned for a short period only to be disbanded on
the 21 August. From 1st of September, 40 Initial Training Wing utilised the
base for the training of French aircrews, but it was also stood down in
November 1944. The airfield was officially close in July 1945.
In 2017 the site received a commemorative plaque in honour of those
who lost their lives. view pictures
Here
Share with your friends on Facebook or Twitter. Just Click the link below.
Facebook
Twitter
Advertisements
42 Dunraven Place, Bridgend
Contact: Mike 07840 287 383
web site here
Bridgend Sandwich Bar.
Est: 1940
Copyright BridgendPPF.com 2017
