Your Questions
On this page I plan to answer some of the common airfield related questions, it will be added to regularly.
What is the longest WW2 runway in the UK?
When the satellite airfield at Collyweston airfield was absorbed by Wittering in 1941 the grass E/W runway was extended to 14,400ft (4,389m). The runway was recorded at this length between late 1941 and 1951/2 when the airfield was upgraded and a single concrete runway built. During this period Wittering was classed as a Master Diversion Airfield.
What is currently the longest runway in the UK?
London Heathrow 09L/27R at 12,799ft x 164ft (3,902m x 50m).
Which airfields were FIDO equipped?
There were 15 airfields that were equipped with Fog Investigation & Dispersal Operation (FIDO). These are:
Of these 15 airfields, Carnaby, Manston and Woodbridge were designated Emergency Landing Grounds (ELG's) and had larger runways at roughly 9000ft x 450ft.
It is worth noting that Marham, Norfolk was looked at post war to install an upgraded FIDO style system, records are sketchy on this and it is thought that the project was scrapped as technology had moved on.
- Blackbushe (Hartford Bridge), Hampshire
- Bradwell Bay, Essex
- Carnaby, Yorkshire
- Downham Market, Norfolk
- Fiskerton, Lincolnshire
- Foulsham, Norfolk
- Graveley, Huntingdonshire
- Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire
- Manston, Kent
- Melbourne, Yorkshire
- Metheringham, Lincolnshire
- St Eval, Cornwall
- Sturgate, Lincolnshire
- Tuddenham, Suffolk
- Woodbridge, Suffolk
Of these 15 airfields, Carnaby, Manston and Woodbridge were designated Emergency Landing Grounds (ELG's) and had larger runways at roughly 9000ft x 450ft.
It is worth noting that Marham, Norfolk was looked at post war to install an upgraded FIDO style system, records are sketchy on this and it is thought that the project was scrapped as technology had moved on.
