# RAF Grangemouth

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Former Royal Air Force station in Stirlingshire, Scotland

RAF Grangemouth Grangemouth, Stirlingshire in Scotland Site information Type Royal Air Force station Parent Station Code GW[1] Owner Air Ministry Operator Royal Air Force Controlled by RAF Fighter Command * No. 9 Group RAF * No. 13 Group RAF * No. 14 Group RAF * No. 81 (OTU) Group RAF Location RAF Grangemouth Shown within Falkirk Show map of Falkirk RAF Grangemouth RAF Grangemouth (the United Kingdom) Show map of the United Kingdom Coordinates 56°01′11″N 003°41′30″W / 56.01972°N 3.69167°W / 56.01972; -3.69167 Site history Built 1938 (1938)/39 In use May 1939 – 1945 (1945) Battles/wars European theatre of World War II Airfield information Elevation 4 metres (13 ft)[1] AMSL Runways Direction Length and surface 00/00 Tarmac 00/00 Tarmac

**Royal Air Force Grangemouth** or more simply **RAF Grangemouth** is a former [Royal Air Force station](/source/Royal_Air_Force_station) located 3 miles (4.8 km) north east of [Falkirk](/source/Falkirk), [Stirlingshire](/source/Stirlingshire), [Scotland](/source/Scotland).

## History

It was opened as the Central Scotland Airport in May 1939[2] and operated as a Civilian Air Navigation School (CANS) until early September 1939. After the war it was used as Gliding School until 1946.[3] It was then used by [RAF Maintenance Command](/source/RAF_Maintenance_Command) until its closure in June 1955.

### Second World War

From September 1939 – March 1941 it was used by [602 Squadron](/source/No._602_Squadron_RAF) flying [Supermarine Spitfires](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire), [141 Squadron](/source/No._141_Squadron_RAF) flying [Bristol Blenheims](/source/Bristol_Blenheim) and [Gloster Gladiators](/source/Gloster_Gladiator) and [263 Squadron](/source/No._263_Squadron_RAF) flying [Westland Whirlwinds](/source/Westland_Whirlwind_(fighter)). In December 1940 it was used by [No. 58 Operational Training Unit](/source/No._58_OTU) (later renamed [No. 2 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._2_Tactical_Exercise_Unit_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1)).

The air traffic control tower (watch tower) was of a pre-war civilian type. There were 10 Hangars, two were of a civil type and the other eight were of the Blister type.

In an attempt to reduce the number of crashes caused by over-shooting, the east–west runway was extended by about 300 yards in the summer of 1942. This runway intersected with the Inchyra Road runway and extended west to where Candie Crescent now starts off Overton Road. The Charlotte Dundas Shopping Centre was built over part of the remains of this runway in 1960–1961.

### Post war

After the war, it was used as a gliding school and by [No. 13 Refresher Flying School RAF](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._13_Refresher_Flying_School_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1), then by [RAF Maintenance Command](/source/RAF_Maintenance_Command) until closure in 1955.

Unfortunately at 0200 one Sunday in 1952 a fire started & some of the buildings were destroyed.

### Timeline

- 01/05/1939: Opened as Central Scotland Airport.

- 01/05/1939 – 09/39: No. 35 E&RFTS with [Hawker Harts](/source/Hawker_Hart) and [de Havilland Tiger Moths](/source/De_Havilland_Tiger_Moth) and No. 10 Civilian Air Navigation School with [Avro Ansons](/source/Avro_Anson).

- 09/39 – 03/41: Airfield used by 602 Sqn Spitfires, 141 Sqn [Blenheims](/source/Bristol_Blenheim) and [Gladiators](/source/Gloster_Gladiator) and 263 Sqn [Hurricanes](/source/Hawker_Hurricane) and 614 Sqn [Lysanders](/source/Westland_Lysander).

- 12/40 – 06/44: [No. 58 Operational Training Unit](/source/No._58_OTU) with [Spitfires](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire), from 1942 satellite airfield at [RAF Balado Bridge](/source/RAF_Balado_Bridge).

- 10/43: No. 58 Operational Training Unit renamed No. 2 Tactical Exercise Unit.

- 1945-46: Used as a Gliding School.

- 1948-49: 13 Refresher Flying School with [de Havilland Tiger Moths](/source/De_Havilland_Tiger_Moth), then used by [RAF Maintenance Command](/source/RAF_Maintenance_Command) until closure.

### Operational units and aircraft

Unit From To Aircraft Version Notes No. 35 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School RAF 1 May 1939 3 Sep 1939 Hawker Hart de Havilland Tiger Moth I II [4] No. 10 Civil Air Navigation School RAF Sep 1939 Oct 1939 Avro Anson I [5] No. 10 Air Observers Navigation School RAF 1 Nov 1939 2 Dec 1939 Avro Anson I [6] No. 602 Squadron RAF 7 Oct 1939 13 Oct 1939 Supermarine Spitfire I [7] No. 141 Squadron RAF 19 Oct 1939 28 June 1940 Bristol Blenheim Gloster Gladiators IF I [8] No. 263 Squadron RAF 28 June 1940 2 Sep 1940 Hawker Hurricane Westland Whirlwind I I Detachment at RAF Montrose.[9] No. 614 Squadron RAF 8 Jun 1940 5 Mar 1941 Westland Lysander II [10]

### Other Units/Wings

**[No. 52 (Army Co-operation) Wing RAF](/source/No._52_Wing_RAF)**

9 June 1940 – 14 July 1940.[11][12]

**No. 58 Operational Training Unit**

No. 58 Operational Training Unit was planned to form at RAF Grangemouth in October 1940 within No. 10 Group to train night fighter crews. This was changed in early December when it actually formed as a day fighter pilot training unit, using [Spitfires](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire) and [Masters](/source/Miles_Master). It was transferred to No. 81 Group at the end of December 1940 and disbanded in early October 1943 when it was redesignated No. 2 Combat Training Wing (changed again to No. 2 Tactical Exercise Unit at a later date).

In the event of a German invasion the OTU would have become No. 558 Squadron (and later also as No. 563 Squadron) to operate from [RAF Turnhouse](/source/RAF_Turnhouse).

The unit reformed on 15 March 1945, at [RAF Poulton](/source/RAF_Poulton) in No. 12 Group, as half an Operational Training Unit equipped with [Spitfires](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire) from the day fighter element of No. 41 Operational Training Unit until it was disbanded on 20 July 1945.

Codes used: -

- PQ Dec 1940 – Oct 1943

- P9 Mar 1945 – Jul 1945[13][14]

**[No. 4 Aircraft Delivery Flight RAF](/source/No._4_Aircraft_Delivery_Flight_RAF) (April 1941 – January 1942)[15]**

**Commanding Officer** Squadron Leader Eric Valentine Hulbert appointed 16 April 1943.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

**[No. 2 Combat Training Wing RAF](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._2_Combat_Training_Wing_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1) (October 1943)[16]**

See No. 58 Operational Training Unit Above.

**[No. 2 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._2_Tactical_Exercise_Unit_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1) (October 1943 – June 1944)[17]**

See No. 58 Operational Training Unit Above.

**Sub site of [No. 14 Maintenance Unit RAF](/source/No._14_Maintenance_Unit_RAF) (October 1944 – August 1949)[18]**

## Present day

Today the site is now part of Inchyra Park, a light industrial area, the Charlotte Dundas Shopping Centre, and a housing estate. The shorter runway is now Inchyra Road, [Grangemouth](/source/Grangemouth). Contrary to many reports, the vast majority of the site is NOT now covered by petrochemicals industry. Only a relatively small area east of Inchyra Road has such industry on it and which was only built on during the 1970s and thereafter.

Some of the hangars still remain intact at Latitude, Longitude 56.013348N, 3.707562W.[19]

In 2008, a memorial garden was unveiled, to commemorate those who died, planted on ground granted for the purpose and located on the perimeter of the original airfield. Within the garden, a wall features the names of 71 trainee pilots from 11 countries who died whilst in training. On Thursday 9 May 2013, a full size replica of a Mk1 Spitfire was unveiled in the memorial garden.[20]

The memorial remembers the contribution of hundreds of Polish and other international pilots who developed their skills at the airfield as members of [No. 58 Operational Training Unit](/source/No._58_OTU) during the [Second World War](/source/World_War_II).

## Wartime Deaths

The many British and Polish pilots dying of wounds on return are buried to the south in [Grandsable Cemetery](/source/Grandsable_Cemetery).

## References

### Citations

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFalconer201299_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFalconer201299_1-1) [Falconer 2012](#CITEREFFalconer2012), p. 99.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** J., Smith, David (1983). *Military airfields of Scotland, the North-East and Northern Ireland*. Cambridge, England: Stephens. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0850595630](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0850595630). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [12926692](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/12926692).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** B., Bailey, Geoff (2006). *Grangemouth : from central Scotland airport to RAF Grangemouth*. Peterborough: GMS Enterprises. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781904514312](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781904514312). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [883892700](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/883892700).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake199960_4-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 60.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake199948_5-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 48.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELake199920_6-0)** [Lake 1999](#CITEREFLake1999), p. 20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198898_7-0)** [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 98.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198860_8-0)** [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 60.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford198880_9-0)** [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 80.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJefford1988100_10-0)** [Jefford 1988](#CITEREFJefford1988), p. 100.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlinHalley1997316_11-0)** [Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlinHalley1997), p. 316.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Air of Authority: A History of RAF Organisation Website"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100707224338/http://www.rafweb.org/Wings2.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.rafweb.org/Wings2.htm) on 7 July 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Air of Authority: A History of RAF Organisation](http://www.rafweb.org/OTU_3.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120613220551/http://www.rafweb.org/OTU_3.htm) 13 June 2012 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [History of 58 OTU Website by Wallace Shackleton, Kinross](http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/wwshack/Misc/58OTU.htm)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlinHalley199749_15-0)** [Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlinHalley1997), p. 49.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlinHalley199795_16-0)** [Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlinHalley1997), p. 95.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlinHalley1997288_17-0)** [Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlinHalley1997), p. 288.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESturtivantHamlinHalley1997205_18-0)** [Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997](#CITEREFSturtivantHamlinHalley1997), p. 205.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [RCAHMS Archeological Notes & Photos](http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/search_item/index.php?service=RCAHMS&id=239697)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-willis2013_20-0)** Willis, Amy (9 May 2013). ["Spitfire unveiled as memorial to WWII fighter pilots"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130609012252/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/10046878/Spitfire-unveiled-as-memorial-to-WWII-fighter-pilots.html). Archived from [the original](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/10046878/Spitfire-unveiled-as-memorial-to-WWII-fighter-pilots.html) on 9 June 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2017.

### Bibliography

- Falconer, J (2012). *RAF Airfields of World War 2*. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-85780-349-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-85780-349-5).

- Jefford, C G (1988). *RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912*. [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury): Airlife. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85310-053-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85310-053-6).

- Lake, A (1999). *Flying units of the RAF*. [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury): Airlife. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-84037-086-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-84037-086-6).

- Sturtivant, R; Hamlin, J; Halley, J (1997). *Royal Air Force flying training and support units*. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-85130-252-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-85130-252-1).

## External links

- Control Towers Website: [RAF Grangemouth](http://www.controltowers.co.uk/G/Grangemouth.htm)

- 602 Squadron Museum Association: [Website Index](http://www.602squadronmuseum.org.uk/index.php)

- History of Grangemouth Oil Refinery: [BP Grangemouth History](https://web.archive.org/web/20080511084846/http://www.energyinst.org.uk/education/refineries/grangemouth.htm)

- RCAHMS Archaeological Notes: [Photo & Data](http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/90521/details/grangemouth+airfield/)

- Wallace Shackleton, 58 OTU Web Page: [No. 58 OTU, Roll of Honour.](http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/wwshack/Misc/58OTURollOfHonour.htm)

v t e Royal Air Force Formations and units Units Commands Groups Wings Squadrons Flights Conversion units Operational Training units Schools / Training units Ferry units Glider units Misc units Stations Active Former Satellite Landing Grounds Station description Regiment Wings Squadrons Flights Branches and components Air Force Board RAF Regiment RAF Chaplains Branch RAF Intelligence RAF Legal Branch RAF Medical Services Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service RAF Police RAF ground trades RAF Music Services RAF Search and Rescue Force RAF Mountain Rescue Service RAF Marine Branch RAF Air Cadets Operations Reserve forces Royal Auxiliary Air Force RAF Volunteer Reserve Equipment List of RAF aircraft current future List of RAF missiles List of equipment of the RAF Regiment Personnel Officer ranks Other ranks List of notable personnel List of serving senior officers Personnel numbers Appointments Chief of Air Staff Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Air Member for Personnel Air Secretary Air Member for Materiel Commandant-General of the RAF Regiment Warrant Officer of the RAF Symbols and uniform Badge Ensign Heraldic badges Roundels Squadron standards and battle honours Uniform Associated civil organisations Air Training Corps Combined Cadet Force (RAF section) RAF Association RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine RAF Benevolent Fund RAF Football Association RAF Museum History Timeline Future

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [RAF Grangemouth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Grangemouth) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Grangemouth?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.