Aberdeenshire HER - NK06SW0034 - CAIRNBULG AIRFIELD

Print site NK06SW0034 Feedback on site NK06SW0034

Main Details

Primary ReferenceNK06SW0034
NameCAIRNBULG AIRFIELD
NRHE Card No.NK06SW26
NRHE Numlink 73873
HES SM No. NULL
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Incomplete
Details Disused airfield (X6FR, also known as Fraserburgh Airfield and Inverallochy Airfield) was originally built as a Fighter Command satellite of Peterhead airfield (NK04NE0027), and was opened on December 6, 1941. I It consisted of three runways, three dispersed sleeping sites, a communal area and a technical site with one T2 hangar. The first aircraft on the site were Swordfosh biplanes of 823 Squadron. In May 1942 a new OTU was formed at Fraserburgh to train Spitfire and Mosquito pilots. Additional aircraft hangers, buildings and air-raid shelters were added in the dispersal areas. The airfield was used by the training unit until the end of 1944 when it was taken over by Coastal Command, who brought in Warwics for air-sea rescue operations. It closed in November 1945, but was used as a training centre for Polish Army units from late 1945 for around 2 years. The site was used by Aberdeen Gliding Club throughout the 1950s. Numerous structures are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946 The technical site, on the west side of the airfield had at least 30 buildings including parachute store and a type T2 transportable aircraft hangar, and at least six emergency air-raid shelters. The south dispersal area (centred NK 0393 6383) included two blister-type aircraft hangars, two E-plan dispersals, at least seven buildings, a small tower and an emergency air-raid shelter. The east dispersal area (centred NK 0458 6460) shows three blister hangars, five huts and three E-plan blast pens. There was another small dispersal area circa 400m to the northwest (the site now occupied by a housing estate). An accommodation camp on the northwest perimeter (centred NK 0355 6465) comprised at least 28 by 1946 (the site is now largely under a housing estate). The control tower stood at circa NK 0355 6413. The Battle HQ for the site lay to the west of the airfield – see NK06SW0103). The two runways are now blocked by poultry houses and almost all of its original buildings have been demolished, leaving only a few solitary huts and the parachute store, as well Structures that have been removed include the control tower (at The airfield is still clearly visible in aerial images, and although portions of the runways have been lost, their outlines are still complete. To the north of the site, a housing estate now occupies a portion of the ground with the former airfield perimeter road, encroaching on the ends of two of the runways. To the west are the remains of an extensive accommodation and administration camp and transmitting station (NK06SW0035) and a W. A. A. F. accommodation area (NK06SW0036).
Last Update08/04/2024
Updated Bycpalmer
CompilerCP
Date of Compilation23/11/2009

Google Map for NK06SW0034

National Grid Reference: NK 0404 6427



Event Details


Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
AIRFIELDSWORLD WAR IIREMAINS OFA100
RUNWAYS  B100
HUTS  C100
STORESPARACHUTE D100
HANGARS SITE OFE100
TOWERSWATCHSITE OFF100