An Angus airfield is marking 100 years after becoming the first military airbase to be established in the United Kingdom.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-21549636
By: HP111 - 23rd February 2013 at 18:59
Aldershot c.1890 if you include ballooning.
By: WP840 - 23rd February 2013 at 17:20
So which counts as the oldest still in military use? Given the above, does something on Salisbury Plain count (Middle Wallop? Boscombe Down?) or could it be Halton which also started in 1913?
Someone on Flyer is suggesting that Farnborough also goes back to 1912 as a military station (earlier with lighter-than-air?).
Upavon I believe.
By: JOE-FBS - 23rd February 2013 at 17:18
So which counts as the oldest still in military use? Given the above, does something on Salisbury Plain count (Middle Wallop? Boscombe Down?) or could it be Halton which also started in 1913?
Someone on Flyer is suggesting that Farnborough also goes back to 1912 as a military station (earlier with lighter-than-air?).
By: DragonRapide - 23rd February 2013 at 16:24
Wiki says:
The RFC’s first fatal crash was on 5 July 1912 near Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain. Killed were Captain Eustace B. Loraine and his observer, Staff Sergeant R.H.V. Wilson, flying from Larkhill Aerodrome. An order was issued after the crash stating “Flying will continue this evening as usual”, thus beginning a tradition.
I think this is accurate!
By: WP840 - 23rd February 2013 at 16:01
And I always thought the first military airfield was on Salisbury Plain at Larkhill. 😮
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February 23, 2013 at 4:01 pm