Haldon / Teignmouth / HMS Heron II

[Daveg4otu]

Haldon/Teignmouth aerodrome "HMS Heron II"

Went to Teignmouth this morning to photograph some ships and took a look at Haldon at the same time.

Located North of Teignmouth at N50.34.37/W03.31.49 on the west side of the B3192 today there is very little to show that a thriving aerodrome existed here from 1928 until the end of WW2.

There is a memorial plaque in the car park on the eastern side of the road and , in places amongst the brambles and bushes in the same area there are a few isolated small patches of tarmac which may or may not be related to the aerodrome .

Otherwise little at all to be found .

Top two pictures show the Memorial plaque and stone




Some views over the aerodrome area ( The publicity-seeking dog is mine!)

To the west(ish)


To the Northeast

To the North


Finally the adjoining Golf course - this part was apparently used by the airfield during WW2



There is a potted history of the aerodrome at the PFA/Devon Strut website here...

http://www.devonstrut.co.uk/pages/newar" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false ... NL0506.pdf

[Daveg4otu]

A new page on this long abandoned and little known field has been added to my Devon airfields website.Any additions or corrections very welcome.

I have been unsuccessful(so far) in finding any WW2 pictures /charts of Haldon , or anything showing the layout etc.of any buildings added during miltary use.
If anyone has anything I could use I would really be most grateful.

Here's the link.

http://devonairfields.tripod.com/hald.html

[PNK]

Have you tried the FAA museum? I also think it might be in an Airfield review.

[Daveg4otu]

Not yet - waiting for the spring - Teignmouth museum reopens then(about Easter I hope) and I believe (from what I hear)they may have some WW2 pictures - guess patience is a virtue(or so they say).

[PNK]

I found them very helpful with some plans I was after and apologetic when they couldn't supply Cowdray Park! I haven't tried them for aerial or other photographs. Haldon's map appears in the Ken Delve book for SW England by the way.

[Pat_Pattle]

Hi Dave,

I have this from the Action Stations South West book. ISBN 0-85059-510-X





Up until a few years ago parts of the old clubhouse were still there but were vandalised and removed

http://www.content-delivery.co.uk/av...ds/Haldon.html

[Daveg4otu]

Thanks Pat - got the book but currently it is with my son-in-law in Bournemouth ...so at least I don't have to wait for it's return to check it.

One query from that - the "Haldon Camp" refered to - have you any idea of the precise location...the grid Ref SX889849 in the book doesn't seem correct - translates to about 5Ks SE of Doddiscombeleigh..I thought the camp was to the east of the field near where the NT carparks are now ...or am I barking up the wrong tree?

[Pat_Pattle]

There was Haldon Camp (latterly a prison & near the racecourse) which is what that grid reference refers to (I guess).

If you zoom in on this map there's a likely looking place near 'Brocks Plantation' a mile or so NW of the racecourse

http://www.magic.gov.uk/website/magi...9:297293:88721

But I've also read references to a military camp which was near the aerodrome which is probably what you've described.

[Daveg4otu]

Yes Pat - I can see the spot you're talking about.

Seems a long way from the airfield for "additional accomodation".

Once spring arrives and the museum at Teignmouth opens I'll go there and see what I can find out ...they supposedly have some material relevant to the airfield and other military installations .

I think it opens at Easter (whenever that is) so will have to be patient.

[Daveg4otu]

Visited Haldon this morning whilst out ship photographing....

picture below is the aerodrome with about 4 or 5 inches of snow and , as ever, the publicity seeking dog.