RAF Banff

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.

RAF Banff
Boyndie, Aberdeenshire in Scotland
RAF Banff Shown within Aberdeenshire
Coordinates	57°40′00″N 002°38′24″W
Site information
Owner	Air Ministry
Operator	Royal Air Force
Controlled by	RAF Flying Training Command RAF Coastal Command
Site history
Built	1942
In use	1943-1946
Battles/wars	Second World War
Airfield information
Elevation	85 metres (279 ft) AMSL
Runways Direction Length and surface 00/00  Asphalt 00/00  Asphalt 00/00  Asphalt

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.[1]

The following units were posted here at some point:

• No. 14 Squadron RAF[2]
• No. 65 Squadron RAF[3]
• No. 143 Squadron RAF[4]
• No. 235 Squadron RAF[5]
• No. 248 Squadron RAF[6]
• No. 279 Squadron RAF[7]
• No. 281 Squadron RAF[7]
• No. 333 Squadron RAF[8]
• No. 334 Squadron RAF[8]
• No. 489 Squadron RNZAF[9]
• No. 14 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit RAF[10]
• No. 1512 (Beam Approach Training) Flight RAF[10]
• Aberdeen University Air Squadron[10]
• No. 2749 Squadron RAF Regiment[10]
• RAF Banff Strike Wing[10]
  • No. 144 Squadron RAF[4]
  • No. 404 Squadron RCAF[11]

Current use

The site is now Boyndie Wind Farm.[10] A grass runway has been established at the Eastern end, operating as Boyndie Airstrip.[12]

See also

• List of former Royal Air Force stations

References

Citations

1. D., Bird, Andrew (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.
2. Jefford 1988, p. 28.
3. Jefford 1988, p. 45.
4. Jefford 1988, p. 61.
5. Jefford 1988, p. 75.
6. Jefford 1988, p. 78.
7. Jefford 1988, p. 83.
8. Jefford 1988, p. 87.
9. Jefford 1988, p. 94.
10. "Banff (Boyndie)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
11. Jefford 1988, p. 89.
12. https://www.pprune.org/attachments/private-flying/4434d1520859905-q-aberdeenshire-ne-scotland-flyers-boyndie-plate-250416.pdf

Bibliography

• Jefford, C G (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.

External links