RAF Ashbourne 1.33

RAF Ashbourne is a former Royal Air Force airfield located approximately south-east of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England.It was opened on 12 June 1942 before closing on 23 August 1954.ConstructionConstruction of the airfield began in late 1941 to Class-A bomber standards comprising three paved runways in an "leaning A" formation, 30 "frying-pan" style hard standings, four T2 hangars, a control tower and assorted technical buildings. Although at AMSL the altitude of the area was above the ceiling height for construction of airfields, the necessity of defensive installations during the Second World War overrode this condition.HistoryAshbourne was home to Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle and Bristol Blenheim aircraft.Originally planned as a satellite installation of RAF Seighford for Vickers Wellington bombers, due to the unsuitability of altitude and local weather it was relegated to a training role with its own satellite of RAF Darley Moor.Post war it was used for storage and maintenance of ordnance where the bombs were stored along the runways.Based unitsThere were three small units in operation based at Ashbourne: