RAF Turnberry

RAF Turnberry was an airfield in Scotland used by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the First World War, and again by the RAF in the Second World War. Between the two wars, the site reverted to its pre-1914 use as the Turnberry Golf Course and hotel. It reverted to this use again after the Second World War. Although there is still a disused landing strip, the site is now the Trump Turnberry.[1][2]

RAF Turnberry
South Ayrshire in Scotland
TypeRoyal Air Force station
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Site history
Built1917
1940
In use1917-1919
1940-1945
Garrison information
Occupants1 Fighting School (North-West Area)
No. 618 Squadron RAF

During the First World War, the base housed No. 1 School of Aerial Fighting (Loch Doon, to the east, was used for a School of Aerial Gunnery). The school merged with No. 2 (Auxiliary) School of Air Gunnery, becoming No. 1 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery, renamed No. 1 Fighting School (North-West Area) on 29 May 1918. It provided pilots with three-week courses in the arts of aerial gunnery and combat. It was disbanded on 25 January 1919. The Turnberry Hotel was used during the war as a hospital for the wounded.[3] After the war, courses 1 and 2 were rebuilt and renamed "Ailsa" and "Arran". A memorial to honour lost airmen was erected on the hill overlooking the 12th green of Ailsa and still remains.

The cycle was repeated for the Second World War. The hotel was commissioned as a hospital, and the golf courses were seconded for air training for the Royal Air Force. Coastal Command based Consolidated Liberators there for anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic. The base was also used for training Bristol Beaufighter and Bristol Beaufort crews. Testing of Barnes Wallis's "Highball" bouncing bomb was also performed by 618 Squadron, flying from Turnberry. The hotel was used a Royal Navy hospital. It is thought that as many as 200 died at the base.[3]

The following units were here at some point:[4]

  • No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAF
  • No. 10 Gliding School RAF
  • No. 254 Squadron RAF
  • Coastal Command Flying Instructors School RAF became Coastal Command Instructors School RAF
  • Torpedo Training Unit RAF became No. 1 Torpedo Training Unit RAF

References
  1. "Donald Trump adds his name to the Turnberry golf resort". BBC News. BBC. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  2. "Donald Trump's name 'will boost Turnberry'". BBC News. BBC. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  3. "Turnberry at War". SLC Turnberry Limited. 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  4. "Turnberry". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 12 June 2020.

The Ayrshire airfield that helped shape the fledgling RAF Alison Campsie, The Scotsman, 31 March 2018.

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