RAF Banff

RAF Banff
Near Boyndie, Aberdeenshire in Scotland
Site information
TypeRoyal Air Force station
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byRAF Flying Training Command
1943–44
RAF Coastal Command
1944–
* No. 18 Group RAF
Location
RAF Banff is located in Aberdeenshire
RAF Banff
RAF Banff
Shown within Aberdeenshire
RAF Banff is located in the United Kingdom
RAF Banff
RAF Banff
RAF Banff (the United Kingdom)
Coordinates57°40′00″N 002°38′24″W / 57.66667°N 2.64000°W / 57.66667; -2.64000
Site history
Built1942 (1942)/43
In useApril 1943 – 1946 (1946)
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Elevation250 feet (76 m) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
06/24 4,200 feet (1,280 m) Concrete
12/30 6,000 feet (1,829 m) Concrete
18/36 4,200 feet (1,280 m) Concrete

Royal Air Force Banff or more simply RAF Banff is a former Royal Air Force station located 4 miles (6 km) west of Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland and 14 miles (23 km) northeast of Keith, Moray.

History

The airfield was sited on land belonging to the Earls of Seafield since the 16th century. Construction of the airfield began in the middle of 1942. After it was turned down by RAF Bomber Command, it was officially opened in April 1943 as an airfield for the use of No. 14 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit RAF of RAF Flying Training Command. This unit used the airfield until August 1944, when it was disbanded, and the airfield was handed over to RAF Coastal Command.

One notable occurrence at RAF Banff in 1944 is that of Squadron Leader Cameron Martin, when his De Havilland Mosquito suffered a wing strike in high winds. The aircraft suffered major damage, but Martin and the other crew member survived with minor injuries and returned to their duties the next day.

The following squadrons were posted here at some point:

Units

Current use

The site is now Boyndie Wind Farm. A grass runway has been established at the Eastern end, operating as Boyndie Airstrip.

A memorial to the Banff Strike Wing was unveiled on 28 September 1989 at Banff, with Gage Sise, the former commander of No. 248 Squadron, in attendance.

See also

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Falconer 2012, p. 42.
  2. ↑ "Banff". Abandoned Forgotten & Little Known Airfields in Europe. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  3. ↑ Bird, Andrew D. (2003). A separate little war : the Banff Coastal Command Strike Wing versus the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe, September 1944 to May 1945. London: Grub Street. pp. 14–17. ISBN 1904010431. OCLC 62087312.
  4. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 28.
  5. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 45.
  6. 1 2 Jefford 1988, p. 83.
  7. 1 2 Jefford 1988, p. 87.
  8. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 94.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Banff (Boyndie)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  10. ↑ Taylor, Steven. "The Last Battle". Flypast (March 2019): 19–22.
  11. 1 2 Jefford 1988, p. 61.
  12. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 75.
  13. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 78.
  14. ↑ Jefford 1988, p. 89.
  15. ↑ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 43.
  16. ↑ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 138.
  17. ↑ "PPRuNe Forums" (PDF).
  18. ↑ "Memorial: Banff Strike Wing and 14 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 20 May 2026.

Bibliography