St Merryn Airfield (Now disused) | airport, Second World War 1939-1945, interesting place

United Kingdom / England / Padstow /
 airport, Second World War 1939-1945, interesting place
 Upload a photo
St Merryn Aerodrome opened in January 1937 as a civil airport, rebuilt 1940 as a Fleet Air Arm Station. The Air Station closed in 1956 although part of it is used by a Parachute Club. The disused Control Tower, Hangar's, Accomodation Blocks and Cinema are still standing and the CO.'s Quarter's is now a Farmhouse.

During WW2 it was an important Naval Air Station site in Cornwall associated with the Pacific carrier battles. The layout of the airfield differs from that of RAF bases. There are four short runways all facing opposite directions. This is because carriers were always pointed into the wind for aircraft take-off; the airfield is designed to allow take-offs whatever the wind direction.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   50°30'15"N   4°58'36"W
This article was last modified 7 years ago