Everleigh SLG/MU, Wiltshire

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh is 4 miles east of RAF Upavon and started life as a Satellite Landing Ground (SLG) for Central Flying School (CFS) that was at RAF Upavon in 1940. The SLG was then just a large field, open down land, bordered on two sides by large woodlands. It later became aircraft storage for No's 15 & 33 Maintenance Unit (MU).

Airspeed Oxford.

Miles Master.

Flight commander and trainees.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

Information

Everleigh SLG/MU

Details

The A342 running from east to west. RAF Upavon is just off the map. At the cross-roads opposite the Crown Hotel, take the Pewsey road north (Yellow).
Where the road turns sharp left is the start of the airfield. There is not a lot to see but I am sure there is always more to find?
Tree planting has been increasing over the last 20years so the area has changed since the war.
Purple circle - airfield
Purple arrow - building extant.
Red arrows - site of buildings.
Red square - hangar.
The map is 1940's OS.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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With the hangar on the right and looking south towards Pewsey. The temporary brick buildings are across the RLG/SLG in the far woods on the left.
November 1941 the woodland around the airfield landing ground was used by 15MU at RAF Wraughton as aircraft storage and was was named, No.31 SLG. By April 1942, 14 aircraft were on site.

Ar craft storage on a large MU.

Plan.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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Looking back in a northerly direction at the hangar.
Many of the aircraft were twin engined types. The RAF ran a storage system where. One plane in service, one in store and one being produced. As soon as a service plane is shot down/crashed in training, a new/repaired aircraft is delivered and then a new/repaired aircraft comes in from the manufacturers. A constant turnover of aircraft.

Spitfire production.

Women at work.

Sterling off to be repaired.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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Ground crew quarters.
The Army have brought the buildings into the battle training area of Salisbury Plain and removed all doors and windows so they can be fought over time and again. There are always many SA80 blank rounds lying around

 

 

Challenger 2 on the Plain.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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As Everleigh was so ideal for aircraft storage that in 1942 RAF Lyneham No.33 Maintenance Unit (33MU) started using it. At its height 105 aircraft were stored here. There were several civilian workers and an army defence unit came to guard the area. There was even a rifle range, but where I have no idea.

Plan.

 

 

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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It was found that four engined bombers could land and take off safely. So Short Stirling's were stored here, and in July 1944, 87 aircraft were now here.

Stirling.

Members of Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) came in to deliver and take away aircraft.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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Later as the war progressed, manpower was getting shorter, the army defence soldiers were replaced by RAF Police dogs. One dog and a handler could cover so much more area than a section of troops.

RAF Police dog.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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The airfield was closed in November 1945 but my father used to tell me that in 1946/7, that there were still aircraft stored here. Or just left lying around.

Possibly a 16330/41 RAF latrine.

 

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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Possibly a 16330/41 RAF latrine.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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The view right across the airfield.

RAF ground crew maneuvering a Stirling, how would our few civilians manage it??

Plan.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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The only hangar built and still surviving a Super Robin hangar built in 1943 in excellent condition and now re-clad by the farmer.
Plenty of parking even toilets supplied in 2004.
There are several concrete and old tarmac roads deteriorating fast now, running through the woodland.
In the spring the woods are full of Bluebells and many other wild flowers. Orchids can be found on the down land and now Buzzards soar overhead with the helicopters.

Bluebells in the woods.

Buzzard

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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2004 needing a paint job.

2014 ten years on and a nice paint job.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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The openings in the woodland were cut back for aircraft dispersal, so they could be hidden under the trees. Scaffolding & camouflage netting was also used.

Go and visit Everleigh in the Spring when Bluebells are out and again in June for the Orchids.

Early Purple Orchid.

Army Air Corps Beaver under camouflage in woodland.

Remember this is UFO country.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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Army Air Corps Lynx helicopter preforming landings and take offs in wooded areas. .

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

Details

The openings in the woodland were cut back for aircraft dispersal, so they could be hidden under the trees. Scaffolding & camouflage netting was also used.

Go and visit Everleigh in the Spring when Bluebells are out and again in June for the Orchids.

Plan.

Army Air Corps.

Everleigh SLG/MU

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Everleigh SLG/MU

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© 2013 Richard Drew