RAFM Airfield Site Plans

[PNK]

I have this insane desire to know the layout of every airfield. My wife thinks I'm mad! She likes the Vulcan and can recognise a Spitfire so it's not all bad.
Should I seek professional help or just order the plan for Millisle out of sheer curiosity?

Peter

[REF]

Peter, we all have the same desire I think - one of the reasons for this forum. Personally I think I am beyond help, professional or otherwise!!!

[norwichpaul]

There is a part 3 to come and another chunk of part 2 to add yet chaps so start saving your pennies

[CDP]

There is a part 3 to come and another chunk of part 2 to add yet chaps so start saving your pennies

Oh no! This really WILL cost a fortune! :lol:

Again, many thanks for posting. I think I can agree with Richard, he (and anyone else) on here is beyond help! It's an OCD and they're notoriously difficult to treat without a bit of CBT and who wants that when it's this enjoyable and absorbing!

PNK - I recommend you start with Millisle and then take it from there (hhmm, a missus who can recognise a Vulcan. Clearly a wife with very good taste then) :D

Chris

[norwichpaul]

Part 2 now complete! (over 1,000 plans listed so far)

[mawganmad]

It was part 2 I was desperately waiting for, I can now see it is part 3 I am desperately waiting for!

[norwichpaul]

Mawganmad what airfield do you want? I cannot upload the complete part 3 for two weeks or so as it is lot of work. However if there are any airfields you want i will add them as a special treat - but don't tell anyone else - its our little secret!

[mawganmad]

Aw you're good, won't tell a soul!
I have tried Hendon for St Mawgan site plans, but they said they didn't have any, just interested to see if you had them listed, maybe even Trebelzue.
I think you have already said that the RAFM don't have St Athan plans, which would be another set I would like to see,

[PNK]

There are lots of gaps in the plan coverage. One that always interested me was the wartime layout of Gaydon. The National Archives was able to supply sketch plans used to outline parcels of land for release to agriculture after the war.
Does anyone have a list of plans available there and do they have many the RAF museum is missing?

The ones I have had copied so far are :-

Gaydon (sketch type) 1946
Biggin Hill (AM type) 1963
Smiths Lawn (Camo type) 194?
Gatwick (New Airport) 1958

Continuing the point would local councils have some missing copies. Also would old Ordnance Survey Maps give suffient detail where no plan is available?

Peter

[norwichpaul]

There is another set of 35mm plans at RAFM of all MAP airfields dated 1947, and these are in pairs. One is a large key, giving details of building occupation and land ownership I think and the other is the plan itself. The problem is that the original drawings are in colour, while the 35mm cards are black and white. The buildings and land ownership etc being set out in different colours so its not always poss to distinguish from one shade of grey to another shade of grey. But having said that there are quite few airfields here that are not covered by the military airfield collection.

I happen to know that the Biggin Hill 35mm cards are kept at RAF Uxbridge and are not available to the public.

There is one plan in the military collection of Smiths Lawns 2819/55 at RAFM

[REF]

Thanks for those Paul, really great.

You may want to ad Strubby and West Raynham to that list as well, I had some plans arrive this morning. Should not the Strubby one is pretty unreadable though.

[PNK]

May I also add my thanks for the lists, and indeed all the others.

Couple of general questions regarding the missing plans.

Do we know which plans are not yet released? I was after Scampton in 1945 for example and assumed it was held because it was an active station. Once this changes, how long until release?

Do we know which plans are not available anwhere? (I assume SLG's were not drawn?). If so how can the gaps be filled?

Are the RAFM plans the same as the contructors plans? I would have thought constuction required more detailed plans for runways and hardstands etc.

Peter

[norwichpaul]

There are many SLGs listed above, the gaps cannot be filled. The RAFM plans are contractor's plans, there will be a whole range of plans relating to hardstandings, runways etc but 90% of these are lost.

[olympusman]

Paul

Thanks for this huge list !

When looking for a aerodrome plan, we have to choose the ones marked (a), I suppose ?

Are they detailed with the buildings, etc...

Which is the scale for these plans ?

[kit.yardley]

Chaps! I am a bit new to all this so please forgive my ignorance....Where can I order these plans??

Kit.Y

[REF]

DORIS can be contacted here;
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/research/contact.cfm

[olympusman]

Try here... Mary Jane Millare-Adolfo [mary.jane.millare-adolfo@rafmuseum.org]
She's in charge for the plans & orders
Efficient but you need some patience as she has many requests to answer...