RAF Perranporth
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The starting point is at the control tower. If you ask permission they will very kindly let you walk around. The day we visited the windsock was horizontal, 300ft up a cliff and a westerly blowing. So there was NO flying.
66 Sqn RAF.
Pilots.
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RAF Perranporth
D. G.of W. 1856/45 Record Site Plan
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The airfield is situated on a plateau high on the cliff edge with the main runway parallel to the sea. Scattered around the south are the airfields admin site and an extended perimeter track has 12 fighter pens in groups of three. Below to the south was the six dispersed sites. In the north is Cligga Mine which Wolframite, a mineral from which tungsten can be extracted. This had an important role in the manufacture of munitions. This location was also shared with an explosives factory which was owned by the Nobel company. The Wolframite mine ran throughout the Second World War alongside the explosive factory.
Perranporth.
Cornish Iridescent Wolframite in Quartz. Cligga Head Mine, St Agnes,Cornwall.
Alfred Nobel’s dynamite company.
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The entrance.
Opened in April 1941 as a satellite for Portreath and 66 squadron was the first here with Spitfire II's. Closed 1946.
1 x Teesside Hangar.
4 x Over Blister hangars.
2 x Extended Over Blister Hangars.
Over 1000 Airmen & WAAF's.
3 x Runways, main 1700yds long.
By 1939 the RAF realised that they had to tarmac runways and grass was just not good enough for operational airfields in war. So runways were planned as part of the early war scheme. Most wartime airfields were built to 'A' standard. with over 2000yd runways and many dispersed sites for Airmen and WAAF's. This type was mostly for heavy bombers but RAF Perranporth was designed as a fighter station. Hangarage was a Teesside 'S' type, several Blister type, fighter pens to protect aircraft and plenty of runway for fighters of the day, 1700yds., Later this proves to be too small for larger and heaver Hawker Typhoons.
Opened in April 1941 as a satellite for Portreath.
66 squadron
Spitfire II refueling.
66Squadron Spitfire starting up.
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55 - Control Tower (new) - P.B. - 7335/42.
The control tower is the second, the first was nearer the entrance and now removed.
History:
I am not telling the history of RAF Perranporth squadron by squadron, as you can read books about it and they are written by far more learned people than me. My idea here is that you will see the website, enjoy and then go on to find out more about each airfield.
One reason telling the history can be a problem. Many RAF, RCAF, French, Czech, Polish rotated in and out of RAF Perranporth staying for weeks or month as were needed and then went off to other airfields. Fighter squadrons, unlike bomber squadrons, moved around all most willy nilly. Sometimes a whole squadron would turn up, settle down and then at a moments notice, up and move. Others would arrive, re arm, re fuel and attack a certain target and then not even return.
Also RAF Perranporth in 1940 was designed for a squadron of fighters to use as fighter cover for the S. W. area, patrolling the coast, cover for transiting shipping and fighter cover for bombers on operations. It went from one squadron in 1941 to three. A Wing. So each squadron had in the region of 12 aircraft, making 36 for a Wing.
Read the "History of RAF Perranporth 1941 - 1945" by F.R. Andrew, for the full history.
Spitfire Mk. Vb of No. 453 Squadron RAAF undergoing maintenance, Autumn 1943.
Spitfire re fueling.
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Air - raid shelter for the Control Tower area, unsure of type. There are two in this area.
Plan.
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55 - Control Tower (new) - P.B. - 7335/42. Control Tower Fighter Satellite Watch Office.
Entry via the stairs and ask the duty staff where you can go and also inform them before you leave (just as important). They are very helpful.
Plan.
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55 - Control Tower (new) - P.B. - 7335/42.
At the front of the control tower, the balcony.
Polish pilots.
Andre Gibert Free French.
-squadron/hornchurch1942.jpg)
Czech pilot & ground crew.
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Resting after another dangerous trip into enemy occupied territory. Pilot Officer Pigeon had his left leg shot away in action on an earlier very hazardous mission.
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The memorial.
24 - Control Tower (Original) - P.B. - 14435/40.
The original Control Tower was probably superseded when the main layout had been completed and they realised that the watch office could not see the whole airfield.
This is a 17658/40 watch office and it may have looked a little like this one? These were nearly all superseded to larger types.
Plan.
24 - Control Tower (Original) - P.B. - 14435/40.
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Signal Square.
The Signal Square, contained symbols to indicate visually to over-flying aircraft, conditions on the airfield.
details
details
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Wind Sock.
It was VERY windy.
342 Free French Squadron.
302 Polish Squadron.
453 Squadron RAAF.
66 Squadron RAF.
118 Squadron RAF.
312 Squadron Polish.
RAF Perranporth
PRU air photo
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A nice view of the airfield showing all its runways, perimeter track, dispersals. Even a bit of the northern bomb store and aviation fuel circular road.
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60 - Extra Over Blister hangar - 69ft - 12532/41.
Standard Over Blister hangar.
Extra Over Blister hangar - 69ft - 12532/41.
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Dispersed Pens for Fighters Type B FCW4512 with shelter for 25men. 54ft - Fighter. 79ft for Blenheim type, twin engined sized fighters.
This is first of the three fighter pens that were here, with a total of 12 altogether around the perimeter track. They are not recorded on the site plan details. There were two types, one small for fighters and one slightly larger for twin engined fighters.
1107/41 or 12031/41.
details
Fighter pen yellow.
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62 - Latrine & Drying Room - T.B. - 14434/40.
63 - Flight Office - T.B. - 6529/40.
To every set of three fighter pens was a flight office and this is the only remaining flight building. There would have been a latrine block and a drying room.
63 - Flight Office - T.B. - 6529/40. This could be made in temporary brick, as here or in timber, Nissen or Seco.
Plan.
62 - Latrine & Drying Room - T.B. - 14434/40.
63 - Flight Office - T.B. - 6529/40.
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Base of another Blister Hangar.
You can see the sea to your right, that is the edge of a cliff (we will see more of it later). Knowing how the wind blows here, working on a Spitfire engine in winter with maybe a canvas screen door. They were tough in those days.
Roof section.
Canvas screen doors.
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30 November 2005 453 Squadron RAAF
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Second set of Fighter Pens
Now on the western side of the airfield pictured from the remains of the Blister hangar is the next set of fighter pens. Inset that cliff.
Spitfire Mk. Vb of No. 453 Squadron RAAF undergoing maintenance, Autumn 1943.
No. 453 Squadron was stationed there between 20th August and 15th October, 1943 as part of 10th Group.
1107/41 or 12031/41.
453 Squadron RAAF.
No. 453 Squadron RAAF at RAF Ibsley prior to coming here.
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Standard fighter pens with a concrete centre hard stand for the aircraft wheels to sit on and tar macadam for the rest of the surface. In the centre is an air raid shelter accessible from both sides and the rear.
Fighter pen.
Plan.
D-Day Spitfire.
RAF Perranporth
No. 403 (F) Squadron, RCAF
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Mk. Vb, (Serial No. BM344), Phyl Marie, from No. 403 (F) Squadron, RCAF, flown by Squadron Leader Leslie Sydney. I am afraid not here, but it gives a good idea how a Spitfire would have looked in a Fighter Pen of the type.
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Fighter Pen rear access to the air-raid shelter.
Inside the Stanton shelter.
Plan.
Air photo.
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Fighter Pen Shelter.
A Stanton style bomb shelter made out of precast concrete halves bolted together, two wooden doors either end and electric lighting.
Assembling them.
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Fighter Pen Shelter.
Walk out on a wet and windy, or a foggy night and you are very close to the cliff edge.
Fighter Pen.
ARS - Air-Raid Shelter
77 - S.A.A. Store H.
H- Handcraft Hut for Small Arms Ammunition .303.
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77 - S.A.A. Store - H.
Hand Craft Hut base.
A Hand Craft hut base and was used as a small arms ammunition store. This was the ammunition for the fighters. •303 ammunition for the fighters or ammunition for the anti aircraft defence.
There was a small arms ammunition hut next to each set of fighter pens. Mostly •303 ammunition and then cannon came later.
Fighter Pen.
ARS - Air-Raid Shelter
77 - S.A.A. Store H.
H. - Handcraft Hut for Small Arms Ammunition •303.
Hand Craft hut.
•303 machine gun ammunition.
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Threshold of the shorter runway 1100yds long x 50yds wide.
Part of the perimeter track has been resurfaced and the main runway looks in excellent condition.
Plan.
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Pill Boxes.
Grouped around the Battle HQ are three pillboxes. I think we found two and managed to enter one. Not very good odds then.
Plan.
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Pill Box.
Inside there is a Y shaped blast wall in the center and as they are very small boxes it is a squeeze to get in and out. The embrasures have Turnbull Mounts for Bren guns to fit.
Plan.
Plan by Peter Hibbs.
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Pill Box.
A pillbox with the Battle HQ in the distance.
Possibly a Type24.
79 - Battle Head Quarters P.B. 11012/41 and an AA gun position above and to its right.
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AA gun Position.
This is possibly a recess in the ground for a 40mm Bofors Gun.
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79 - Battle Head Quarters - P.B. - 11008/41.
The cupola of the Battle HQ for RAF Perranporth. A standard design built to drawing number 11008/41.
P.B. = Permanent Brick.
T.B. = Temporary Brick.
Battle Head Quarters 11008/41 plan.
Plan.
79 - Battle Head Quarters P.B. 11012/41.
RAF Perranporth
30 November 2005 79 - Battle Head Quarters - P.B. - 11008/41.
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79 - Battle Head Quarters - P.B. - 11008/41.
Several views of inside - clockwise:
Inside the cupola.
Looking into the flooded office (a cobweb).
The stairs from the cupola to the office.
The Office.
Inside the cupola looking at the escape ladder.
details
Toilet seat.
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79 - Battle Head Quarters - P.B. - 11008/41.
Entrance stairway
now thickly grown over the entrance steps and the railings have been removed.
Railings.
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The Third set of Fighter Pens.
With the Cligga Mine and the old explosives factory in the background.
Walrus seaplanes were often stationed here for Air-sea rescue.
Plan.
Plan.
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Perimeter Track.
Where's my ###### car.
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Perimeter Track 50yds wide.
Plan.
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Fighter Pens 'B 'Type.
The third type of fighter pens differ where the air raid shelter is in the front of the pen and not at the rear. The third type of fighter pens differ where the air raid shelter is in the front of the pen and not at the rear.
Fighter pen.
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Fighter Pens 'B 'Type
The third type of fighter pens differ where the air raid shelter is in the front of the pen and not at the rear.
Plan.
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Several pictures from this group with wartime electric cable drum, fire hoses, a different type of aircraft tie down, flight office base and air raid shelter entrances.
Plan.
RAF Perranporth
30 November 2005 04 March 2006 RAF Hampstead Norris
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This picture was taken inside one of the Stanton shelters. It may have something to do with 816 Sqn Fleet Air Arm who were here with Fairy Swordfish from 20th Apr to 9th Aug 1944 on day and night patrols.
And this one in another Stanton shelter at RAF Hampstead Norris, Berkshire.
Fairy Swordfish.
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90 - Night Sleeping Shelter - T.B. - 15476/40.
32 Man Sleeping Shelter. The idea of these shelters were so the ground crews could sleep in safety from a near miss by a bomb. In a wooden or tin hut, it may have been blown away, as this well reinforced building would be safe.
Plan of a 15476/40.
Inside.
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Perimeter Track.
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99 - Bulk Petrol (Aviation) - 24,000gal - 13083/41.
Bulk petrol aviation a circular road around a large mound. Below the mound a 24,000gal fuel tank. The concrete area is a perfectly level patch where a tanker could park, dip his tanks and off load the fuel. Any spillage will not damage the concrete where as it will tarmac. On the other side is another area where the fuel bowsers and bowser trailers would load up to fuel the aircraft.
Bedford OY delivery tankers from POOL the Government run fuel company.
Plan
Bowser trailer.
RAF Perranporth
D.G. of W. Site Plan 1856/45
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95 - Blister Hangar - 65ft.
96 - M.T. Petrol Inst. (for 3500gal) not installed - 4728/42.
97to98 - S.A.A. Stores - T.B.
99 - Bulk Petrol (Aviation) - 24,000gal - 13083/41.
100 - Living Accm. (A.A. Gun Site).
101 - Latrine (A.A. Gun Site).
102 - Ammunition Store (A.A. Gun Site).
103 - Fuze Store.
106 - Mine Office (Occupied by Mining Co.).
107 - Stand-By Feeder Plinth - 3? - M&E 2034/41.
108 - Cligga 1 Registered Cottage - MT Office - Existing.
109 - " " 2 " " " " - M.T.
S.A.A. = Small Arms Ammunition.
Bowser refueling.
Bulk Petrol (Aviation) pump house.
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Cligga Mine
There are many tin mines in this part of Cornwall and this one is the Cligga.
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Cligga Mine
The bomb store was placed in the remains of the old mine. Some of the mine buildings were demolished as they were a flying hazard. Also some of the old underground workings were used later to store bombs & rockets.
60lb Rockets.
Rocket attack.
Small bomb train delivering stores.
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Cligga Mine
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Cligga Mine
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Cligga Mine the view.
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108 - Cligga 1 Registered Cottage - MT Office - Existing.
109 - " " 2 " " " " - M.T.
Plan.
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110 - M.T. Shed - Converted - Existing.
Old Explosives Works turned into the MT Section' RAF Perranporth
There was a prewar explosives manufacturer hear, probably for use in the mining industry and this building was requisitioned for the MT section.
110 - M.T. Shed converted Existing.
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112 - Picket Post - T.B. - 6526/40.
Picket post for this entrance onto the airfield. Here any bombs, fuel tankers, MT lorries would all have to book in and out. The Corporal in charge would have made sure of it.
Plan.
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112 - Picket Post - T.B. - 6526/40.
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By the Main Gate.
38 - A.M.D.W. Implement Store & Compound -
T.B.
41 - Inflammable store - T.B. - 14423/40.
To the left was a hangar (details from the airfield plan) a Teesside.
34 - Hangar - Teesside. Possibly a Teesside 'S' type.
This hangar, an odd one, the only one I have so far come across. They were usually on Royal Naval air stations. So there may have been a spare hangar in storage and it was used here.
A Teesside type 'S' hangar.
It had four main doors at one end only. w60Ft x l50ft x h20ft.
A Teesside type 'S'.
Plan.
Plan.
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New Hangars
The owner has built three brand new hangars and re tarmacked part of the perimeter track.
RAF Perranporth
D.G. of W. Site Plan 1856/45
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Site No2 Communal, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7- Airmens Dining Room & Station Theatre, Decontamination Block, Institute, Officers Mess, Sergeants Mess, etc. The rest are barracks and Sewage Disposal. Several of the local hotels were also used as accommodation and many airmen were billeted out in private houses.
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France
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