RNAS Anthorn/HMS Nuthatch, 1944-1958
Graeme Carrott
Hello there,
I am looking for information regarding the former RNAS airbase at
Anthorn, to the west of Carlisle. I am presently writing a short history
of the airfield for a local aviation society magazine which goes out to
our members located in Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland.
I understand that the airfield opened in September 1944 and closed down
in 1958. The only unit to be based for any length of time was No.1
Aircraft Receipt and Dispatch Unit, which prepared FAA aircraft for
squadron service. Some FAA squadrons were also based at the site for
very brief periods between 1948 and 1958. It is apparently now a VLF/LF
transmitter site for the Royal Navy.
I drove around the former airfield last year and noted that the runways
are still more or less there, plus some of the buildings.
Any help regarding the history of the site, former personnel stationed
there or memories regarding the place would be much appreciated.
--
Graeme Carrott
Membership Secretary/Treasurer, Air North
http://www.airnorth.demon.co.uk/
The Ex-Forces Network
These four aircraft (URL's below) were at Anthorn for various reasons, may
help!
http://www.avnet.co.uk/tfc/seafury/
http://www.stringbag.flyer.co.uk/rnhf/vr930.htm
http://www.bigwig.net/museumofberkshireaviation/gannet.htm
http://www.stringbag.flyer.co.uk/rnhf/wg655.htm
Best Regards
Raymond "Ray" Day
The Administrator
the_admi...@the-ex-forces-network.co.uk
The Ex-Forces Network
http://www.the-ex-forces-network.co.uk
"Graeme Carrott" <gra...@airnorth1.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:OQcavEAC...@airnorth1.demon.co.uk...
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Sparks
(Maritime Books, Liskeard, Cornwall)
NUTHATCH Anthorn, Cumberland, RNAS
RN Lodger Unit Spring 1940 - 2 sqdn Skua &
Sowordfish & 1 Albacores. Ann to be opened as RN
Receipt & Despatch Unit 06.43.
Cd 07.09.44, part complement, independent com-
mand, own acs as Receipt & Despatch Unit, closed
to flying 12.57, PO 28.02.58 and to C & M 1600,
31.03.58 - tender to SANDERLING. For disposal
03.11.59
Under Civil Engineer Manager Scotland 30.11.59-
27.06.60 - became NATO Radio Sta 27.11.64
Nom DS: MSPB 44320 by 10.46-59
(Nom DS = Nominal Depot Ship, also SANDERLING
was RNAS at Abbotsinch (Glasgow) which was
NUTHATCH parent unit during its care and maintenance
period, which doesn't make complete sense to me as
the book says that SANDERLING paid off 31.10.53!)
Good luck
Sparks
Graeme Carrott
<e-mail-...@in-the-message.com> writes
>Hi Graeme,
>
>These four aircraft (URL's below) were at Anthorn for various reasons, may
>help!
>
>http://www.avnet.co.uk/tfc/seafury/
>
>http://www.stringbag.flyer.co.uk/rnhf/vr930.htm
>
>http://www.bigwig.net/museumofberkshireaviation/gannet.htm
>
>http://www.stringbag.flyer.co.uk/rnhf/wg655.htm
>
then by the ARDU at Anthorn. Much appreciated.
Graeme Carrott
Sparks <nom...@remorse.com> writes
>From "Shore Establishments of the Royal Navy" by Lt/Cdr Barlow.
>(Maritime Books, Liskeard, Cornwall)
>
>NUTHATCH Anthorn, Cumberland, RNAS
>RN Lodger Unit Spring 1940 - 2 sqdn Skua &
>Sowordfish & 1 Albacores. Ann to be opened as RN
>Receipt & Despatch Unit 06.43.
Now that's interesting - I'd always been under the impression that it
was opened by the RAF as a grass relief field, and that there was no FAA
involvement until the site was handed over to the Admiralty in late
1942. I'll have to delve further into my Swordfish and Skua aircraft
histories.
>Cd 07.09.44, part complement, independent com-
>mand, own acs as Receipt & Despatch Unit, closed
>to flying 12.57, PO 28.02.58 and to C & M 1600,
>31.03.58 - tender to SANDERLING. For disposal
>03.11.59
>Under Civil Engineer Manager Scotland 30.11.59-
>27.06.60 - became NATO Radio Sta 27.11.64
>Nom DS: MSPB 44320 by 10.46-59
>
>(Nom DS = Nominal Depot Ship, also SANDERLING
>was RNAS at Abbotsinch (Glasgow) which was
>NUTHATCH parent unit during its care and maintenance
>period, which doesn't make complete sense to me as
>the book says that SANDERLING paid off 31.10.53!)
>
Something else to check out - I know the airfield was placed into Care
and Maintenance between 1957-1964, so it would have had a 'parent' unit.
More food for thought.... :)
>Good luck
>
Thanks very much for your trouble. Much appreciated.....
Graeme Carrott
>was RNAS at Abbotsinch (Glasgow) which was
>NUTHATCH parent unit during its care and maintenance
>period, which doesn't make complete sense to me as
>the book says that SANDERLING paid off 31.10.53!)
>
information is really helpful. I'm still intrigued by the Skua and
Albacore squadrons based there in 1940 - I can't find any information
regarding their identities - I'll have to have another look through my
'Squadrons of the FAA'.
Frederick
"Sparks" <nom...@remorse.com> wrote in message
news:gTM98.27860$as2.4...@news6-win.server.ntlworld.com...
I wish I had known that, I might have been able to get an early release. I
left the Navy in June of 1954 while stationed at Sanderling. I must admit
that most of the things going on there was just spinning the wheels.
Frederick
Sparks
notice in the Reunions, February edition
March
HMS Nuthatch Association reunionn at Charnock Hotel, Skegness, from
March 22-25. This is a date correction. Details from etc...............
The same Nuthatch?????
Sparks
Sparks
noticed in Februarys reunion section.....
March
HMS Nuthatch Association reunion at Charnock Hotel, Skegness, from
March 22-25. This is a date correction. Details from etc...............
The same Nuthatch?????
Sparks
Apologies if appearing twice, I cancelled
the previous post.
