Tangmere

It is unusual (that’s not to say it’s not right of course) for a fighter airfield to recieve hard runways that early, but I’m guessing it was a fairly damp or boggy airfield?

See why I’m confused?
= Tim

The runways appear on a Luftwaffe aerial photo dated 4 September 1940. They can also be seen in some of the Charles Brown photos of early 1940.

According to Action Stations 9, the asphalt perimeter track was laid in 1938 and the runways in ’41-42.

Just found a source (not sure how reliable) that states the runways were started in 1939 and completed in May 1940. That does make some sense in the larger scheme of RAF runway construction.
It should be mentioned though that even on an all grass airfield that ‘runways’ were still in fixed strips facing certain directions. It was usualy four strips, one of 1300 x 400 yards and three of 1000 x200 yards, wether this was always strictly adhered to, Tim might be able to say?!

Sorry I should have said generally laid ’40-41, 1939 is very early for runways but some stations did have it then.
The definative answer would be recorded in the ORB, but it sounds like Andy has your answer.

Thanks, Andy.

Memory? So fickle.

And yet history is written from it!

= Tim

The runways are clearly visible on a German recce photo taken on 4 September 1940, Tim.

Yes – that’s his photo on a card. Strange I don’t recall tarmac.

German recce photos could be helpful!! I have one of West Wittering indicating Ju87s’ resting places.

= Tim

As far as I know the runways were completed in the Autumn of 1939. One was N-S the other NE-SW and both were 1,600 yards long and 50 yards wide. That said, they were not used during the BofB, for instance, (as I am sure Tim will testify!) as I believe the squadron’s simply took off, into wind, directly from dispersal or after taxying into position.

I have somewhere the paperwork regarding the eventual extensions/improvements to said runways.

In July 1940 Charles Brown photographed 601 Squadron there, and a runway can be clearly seen in its pre-camouflaged state.

Usworth, which was the sector fighter station for 13 group had its runways laid in 1939 which is why 607 squadron operated from Acklington before moving to France.

The answer may lie in the ORB for Tangmere at the National Archive in Kew as the ORB for Usworth mentions construction of the runways.

607 Squadron were at Tangmere with Hurricane I in Septemeber 1940.

Andy Saunders might know more as he has a lot of knowledge on Tangmere

This is what started it – Mk Is in 1940.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/RAF2/tangers.jpg

I know nowt about Tangmere, but generaly speaking hard runways weren’t layed until ’41-’42, well after the peri tracks were laid. The hard perimeter tracks between hangars and dispersals were vital for vehicles (bombing/arming up, fire etc) aswel as the aircraft, but great importance wasn’t placed on runways early in the war, and it wasn’t until the aircraft all up weights got heavier and very regular use of grass strips that something was done.

Confused.

From history of Tangmere –
1939
Security fencing erected around airfield for the first time, and perimeter track laid, but runways remained grass.
1939
Became Sector HQ of No.11 Group.

I seem to recall it being grass in August ’40 – certainly a squadron landed line abreast!!

=Tim

There are several references to the airfield being enlarged in 1939 so perhaps 1938/9 was when they were built in the run-up to the outbreak of war.

Wimpey had a contract in June 1938 so I would guess it was late 1938