Turnhouse WW2
TURNHOUSE: WW2 Military Aerodrome (Later to become EDINBURGH airport)
Note: This picture was obtained from Google Earth ©
It shows the relationship between the WW2 airfield and the later airport. The symbol is in the centre of the WW2 airfield.
RAF Fighter Command 13 Group
*Battle of Britain RAF Sector Station
(10th July 1940)
79, 245 & 253 Sqdns (Hawker Hurricanes)
603 Sqdn (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
NOTE: In July 1940 TURNHOUSE had the greatest number of squadrons of any 'Battle of Britain' RAF Station in the UK. Most Stations had only one or two squadrons and it appears only DIGBY in YORKSHIRE and TANGMERE in SUSSEX had three squadrons). Quite why the RAF senior command considered that Edinburgh should be so well defended, (there were other RAF aerodromes in the vicinity as well), appears to remain a mystery. As is how the military mind works of course to us simple civilians. This said, Edinburgh does of course, more or less, stand in the way of Glasgow when approached from the east.
(1st August 1940) By now it appears only 253 and 603 Sqdns remained.
79 Sqdn had been posted to ACKLINGTON (NORTHUMBERLAND) and 245 Sqdn to ALDERGROVE (NORTHERN IRELAND)
(1st September 1940) By now it seems only 141 Sqdn flying the by then defunct Bolton-Paul Defiants were based here. Obviously the priorities had changed very quickly.
SQUADRONS BASED HERE BEFORE AND AFTER THE 'BATTLE of BRITAIN' PERIOD IN WW2
63 Sqdn (Hawker Hurricanes)
65, 81 & 603 (City of Edinburgh) Sqdns (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
304, 340 & 341 (all Free French) Sqdns (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
141 Sqdn (Gloster Gladiators then Bristol Blenheims, later Bolton Paul Defiants. They then moved away, (and in the process also converted to Bristol Beaufighters), before returning back here for a short stay)
289 & 290 AAC Sqdns (both flying target towing Airspeed Oxfords and Hurricanes)
Note: I was surprised to discover that, apparently, Hurricanes were used for target towing duties - but presumaby this was much later in WW2?
Runways: 1944: 08/26 1036x46 hard 13/31 1057x46 hard
04/22 655x46 hard
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