RAF Reykjavik

RAF Reykjavik

Hurricane aircraft at RAF Reykjavik during World War II
Summary
Airport typeMilitary
OwnerIcelandic Government
OperatorRoyal Air Force
ServesReykjavík, Iceland
LocationReykjavík, Iceland
Built1940 (1940)
In use1941-1945 (1945)
Elevation AMSL45 ft / 13.7 m
Coordinates64°07′48″N 021°56′26″W / 64.13000°N 21.94056°W / 64.13000; -21.94056
Map
RAF Reykjavík is located in Iceland
RAF Reykjavík
RAF Reykjavík
Location in Iceland
Map

Royal Air Force Reykjavik or more simply RAF Reykjavik is a former Royal Air Force station, at Reykjavík Airport, Iceland.

Beginnings

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The station was built in 1940 by the British Army and used by the Royal Air Force from March 1941 and throughout the remainder of the Second World War.

Squadrons

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Sqn Aircraft Joined Departed From → To Notes
53 Consolidated Liberator VI & VIII 13 September 1944 1 June 1945 RAF St Eval → RAF St Davids Squadron move and a detachment sent to RAF Ballykelly.[1]
86 Consolidated Liberator IIIA & V 24 March 1944 1 July 1944 RAF Ballykelly → RAF Tain Squadron moved with a detachment to RAF Tain.[2]
120 Consolidated Liberator III & V 15 April 1943 24 March 1944 RAF Aldergrove → RAF Ballykelly Originally detachments from RAF Ballykelly and then RAF Aldergrove before Squadron move and detachment to RAF Aldergrove.[3]
190 Consolidated PBY Catalina IB 17 February 1943 October 1943 RAF Sullom Voe → DB On detachment before the Squadron was disbanded and then reformed as No. 210 Sqn.[4]
204 Short Sunderland I & II 5 April 1941 15 July 1941 RAF Sullom Voe → RAF Gibraltar Squadron move and a detachment to RAF Pembroke Dock.[5]
209 Consolidated PBY Catalina I 26 July 1941 10 October 1941 RAF Lough Erne → RAF Pembroke Dock Squadron move.[6]
210 Short Sunderland I 13 July 1940 28 February 1942 RAF Oban → RAF Sullom Voe On detachment only.[7]
220 Boeing Fortress II July 1942 14 February 1943 RAF Ballykelly → RAF Aldergrove On detachment only.[8]
221 Vickers Wellington IC 2 May 1941 25 December 1941 RAF Limavady → RAF Docking On detachment initially prior to Squadron move 29 September 1941 (with a detachment at RAF Limavady).[9]
251 Lockheed Ventura I 1 August 1941 30 October 1945 Reformed → Disbanded After the Ventura the squadron flew: Lockheed Hudson III, Avro Anson I, Boeing Fortress II and Vickers Warwick I.[10]
269 Lockheed Hudson III 6 March 1943 8 January 1944 RAF Kaldadarnes → RAF Davidstow Moor Squadron move.[11]
279 Hawker Hurricane IIC February 1945 3 September 1945 RAF Thornaby → RAF Beccles On detachment only.[12]
280 Vickers Warwick I 23 November 1945 21 June 1946 RAF Thornaby → DB On detachment only prior to Squadron being disbanded.[13]
330 Northrop N-3PB NOMAD
Catalina III		 28 January 1943 12 July 1943 Formed → RAF Oban This Squadron was formed at RAF Reykjavik on 25 April 1941 before being moved to RAF Oban leaving behind a detachment until their next move to RAF Sullom Voe. The squadron was disbanded 21 November 1945 and transferred to Norwegian control.[14]
612 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V & VII 1 April 1941 18 August 1942 RAF Wick → RAF Thorney Island On detachment first then squadron move.[15]

After the cessation of hostilities of the Second World War the British Government handed the airfield over to the Icelandic Civil Aviation Authority on 6 July 1946. It is now known as Reykjavik Airport.

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ Jefford, p.45 (No. 53 Sqn)
  2. ^ Jefford, p.54 (No. 86 Sqn)
  3. ^ Jefford, p.60 (No. 120 Sqn)
  4. ^ Jefford, p.69 (No. 190 Sqn)
  5. ^ Jefford, p.71 (No. 204 Sqn)
  6. ^ Jefford, p.72 (No. 209 Sqn)
  7. ^ Jefford, p.72 (No. 210 Sqn)
  8. ^ Jefford, p.74 (No. 220 Sqn)
  9. ^ Jefford, p.75 (No. 221 Sqn)
  10. ^ Jefford, p.80 (No. 251 Sqn)
  11. ^ Jefford, p.84 (No. 269 Sqn)
  12. ^ Jefford, p.85 (No. 279 Sqn)
  13. ^ Jefford, p.85 (No. 280 Sqn)
  14. ^ Jefford, p.89 (No. 330 Sqn)
  15. ^ Jefford, p.101 (No. 612 Sqn)

Bibliography

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to RAF Reykjavik.
  • Jefford, C G (2001). R.A.F Squadrons, A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
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