St Merryn - HMS Vulture

In October 1937 St Merryn opened as a 52 acre civilian airfield and was operated by St Merryn Aerodrome Ltd. In December 1939 the airfield was surveyed by The Admiralty and rebuilt as a Fleet Air Arm Station. The runways were rather short as they were built to simulate what Fleet Air Arm crews would experience when taking off and landing on carrier decks. Between 1940 and 1952 the Fleet Air Arm operated from the airfield. During this time the station was known as HMS Vulture and many first and second line naval squadrons flew from the airfield. In Autumn 1940 & Spring 1941 the airfield received the attentions of the Luftwaffe who on several occasions bombed the station to disrupt training activities.  Rebuilt and extended in 1942 the station incorporated the School Of Air Combat. In 1944 further extension took place with a new control tower being built. Post war the airfield was used by the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and various training schools. In 1952 the station was re-commissioned as HMS Curlew and was used mainly for ground training. Flying ceased in December 1953 with the airfield finally closing on 10 January 1956. The site was sold off in 1959. Many types of aircraft flew from the airfield, these included, Defiants, Sea Hurricanes, Sea Gladiators, Masters, Martinets, Proctors, Lysanders, Albacores, Fulmars, Barracudas, Swordfish, Corsairs, Hellcats & Seafires. 

Page Index - Images within this gallery -

Watch Office - Mainhill Hangar - 60 Pound Practice Rocket Projectile Head - Fuzing Hut - Parachute Store - SCHEIBE SF28A G-CCIS

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