RAF Shawbury
Encyclopedia
RAF Shawbury is a Royal Air Force
station by the village of Shawbury
near Shrewsbury
, Shropshire
.
The station at Shawbury was first used for military flying training in 1917 by the Royal Flying Corps
, but it was returned to agricultural use in 1920. In 1938 it was reactivated as a training establishment. It primarily prepared pilots for operational squadrons, with the main aircraft being the Airspeed Oxford
. In 1944 it became the home of the Central Navigation School, primarily concerned with improving the standard of air navigation in bombers. In 1950 the School of Air Traffic Control
also moved to Shawbury, combining to form the Central Navigation and Control School. In 1963 the Navigation Wing moved to RAF Manby.
In 1976, Shawbury became a base for basic and advanced helicopter training, on the Aerospatiale Gazelle
and Westland Wessex
respectively, with No 2 Flying Training School.
In April 1997, the station started providing training for helicopter pilots for all 3 of the UK's armed services, being home to the Defence Helicopter Flying School
. Currently the Squirrel HT1 (Eurocopter AS350BB) helicopter operated by (660 and 705 Squadrons) and the Griffin HT1 (Bell 412
EP) helicopter operated by No. 60 Squadron RAF
is used by the School and is maintained by the contractor, FB Heliservices Ltd, who also provide 40% of the flying instructors. It is also home to the Air Traffic Control School and the RAF Aircraft Storage flight, where surplus aircraft are stored.
Shawbury is home to the 'Assault Glider Trust
', building a non-flying replica Horsa glider for museum display.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
station by the village of Shawbury
Shawbury
Shawbury is a village and civil parish in the English county of Shropshire. The village is north east of the town of Shrewsbury, north west of Telford and north west of London. The village straddles the A53 between Shrewsbury and Market Drayton...
near Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
, Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
.
The station at Shawbury was first used for military flying training in 1917 by the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
, but it was returned to agricultural use in 1920. In 1938 it was reactivated as a training establishment. It primarily prepared pilots for operational squadrons, with the main aircraft being the Airspeed Oxford
Airspeed Oxford
The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford was a twin-engine aircraft used for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery during the Second World War.-Design and development:...
. In 1944 it became the home of the Central Navigation School, primarily concerned with improving the standard of air navigation in bombers. In 1950 the School of Air Traffic Control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
also moved to Shawbury, combining to form the Central Navigation and Control School. In 1963 the Navigation Wing moved to RAF Manby.
In 1976, Shawbury became a base for basic and advanced helicopter training, on the Aerospatiale Gazelle
Aérospatiale Gazelle
The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...
and Westland Wessex
Westland Wessex
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
respectively, with No 2 Flying Training School.
In April 1997, the station started providing training for helicopter pilots for all 3 of the UK's armed services, being home to the Defence Helicopter Flying School
Defence Helicopter Flying School
The Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury, a Royal Air Force station near Shrewsbury, England, trains aircrew from all three of the Armed Forces.-Squadrons:The DHFS has three flying squadrons:...
. Currently the Squirrel HT1 (Eurocopter AS350BB) helicopter operated by (660 and 705 Squadrons) and the Griffin HT1 (Bell 412
Bell 412
The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212 model, the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.-Design and development:...
EP) helicopter operated by No. 60 Squadron RAF
No. 60 Squadron RAF
No. 60 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed in 1916 at Gosport. It is currently part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School based at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire....
is used by the School and is maintained by the contractor, FB Heliservices Ltd, who also provide 40% of the flying instructors. It is also home to the Air Traffic Control School and the RAF Aircraft Storage flight, where surplus aircraft are stored.
Shawbury is home to the 'Assault Glider Trust
Assault Glider Trust
The Assault Glider Trust is a registered charity established in 2001 and based at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire.The trust was formed by veterans of the Glider Pilot Regiment Association...
', building a non-flying replica Horsa glider for museum display.
Operational units
- Defence Helicopter Flying SchoolDefence Helicopter Flying SchoolThe Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury, a Royal Air Force station near Shrewsbury, England, trains aircrew from all three of the Armed Forces.-Squadrons:The DHFS has three flying squadrons:...
- 660 Squadron
- 705 Naval Air Squadron705 Naval Air Squadron705 Naval Air Squadron was first formed in 1936 from No 447 Flight Royal Air Force and operated Swordfish torpedo bombers from battlecruisers. It was disbanded in 1940, but was re-formed in 1947 as a Fleet Requirements Unit to evaluate naval use of helicopters...
- No. 60(R) Squadron RAFNo. 60 Squadron RAFNo. 60 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed in 1916 at Gosport. It is currently part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School based at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire....
- School of Air Traffic Control RAFAir traffic controlAir traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...