Aldergrove

**PNK** · 13-09-2008, 22:59

Just been flicking through "Britain's Military Airfields 1939-1945" by David J. Smith and it occured to me that Aldergrove must be one of the few airfields that had it's hard surfaced runways ripped up and laid in a different pattern. I originally thought the runways that were replaced were grass but apparently not. There is even evidence in the current aerial photos on Google Earth/Maps of the old ones or at least the N-S and E-W ones.
Excluding grass to concrete upgrades I can only think of two changes, Sydenham and Pocklington where this has happened. In any case the last two were single runway re-aligments. It wasn't only the runways at Aldergrove either as the sprawling dispersals also seem to have been replaced by finger and star hardstands.
Is this unique?

Peter

**norwichpaul** · 13-09-2008, 23:06

Burtonwood

**PNK** · 13-09-2008, 23:34

Originally Posted by norwichpaul

Burtonwood

Not quite what I had in mind. Granted Burtonwood had a new runway added but the original two kept the same alignments. I was thinking more about re-alignments

Peter

**norwichpaul** · 14-09-2008, 08:54

No PNK one of the original two runways (22-04) was re-aligned to take it clear of the new development just west of the tech site.

**PNK** · 14-09-2008, 11:05

Originally Posted by norwichpaul

No PNK one of the original two runways (22-04) was re-aligned to take it clear of the new development just west of the tech site.

You are, of course, right. I was looking at plans in a book, and when you look at the aerial photo you can see the remains of the previous runway. I should have stuck with my normal approach of aerials first.
So then apart form Sydenham, Pocklington and Burtonwood what .........................

Peter

**norwichpaul** · 14-09-2008, 13:32

PNK congrats on your promotion and yes the book is wrong, I have the same one.

**hugoj_air** · 31-01-2009, 22:08

This pic was taken from the West. The two hangars in the foreground show how much
the realigned E/W runway was moved by. It followed the line directly towards the eastern
hangar in Peter's drawing. Not much sign of the other runways now.

Hugo

**PNK** · 06-03-2009, 22:53

A rough sketch of the layout in 1942 before a completely new runway pattern was laid.

**ww2ni** · 30-11-2009, 11:45

The Royal Air Force Police Explosive Search Dog Unit officers have an interesting item standing at the front door of their building.

Its a very large terrorist Mortar System incorporating both mortar and launcher!