RAF Wye
Encyclopedia
Royal Air Force Station Wye was a temporary First World War training airfield at Wye, Kent.
as a training airfield, it had a grass landing field and was located on 86 acres (34.8 ha) of low-lying meadow between the main Canterbury to Ashford road
and the railway line
. No. 20 Reserve Squadron moved from nearby Dover on 1 June 1916, it operated the Avro 504
biplane trainer, the Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8 a two-seat biplane reconnaissance and bomber and the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 reconnaissance biplane. In January 1917 No. 51 Reserve Squadron arrived as the demand for aircrew for the Western Front
increased and in May 1917 a third squadron (No. 66 Reserve Squadron) was formed from personnel and equipment from the two squadrons. At the end of May the Reserve Squadrons (now renamed Training Squadrons) moved out of Wye when the aerodrome was allocated for use as an Anglo-American training airfield.
Three metal-clad aeroplane sheds were erected to join the original portable Bessonneau hangar
and in May 1917 65 Squadron
was based with Sopwith Camel
s for four months before it moved to France. No. 86 Squadron moved in from Dover with Sopwith Pup
and Sopwith Camel
biplane fighters to train at the end of 1917. In December 1917 No. 42 Training Squadron arrived and continued to train British pilots which were joined in the mid-1918 by Americans trainees. Following the Armistice with Germany the Americans departed but the training carried on, albeit not at the same pace until the training squadron was disbanded on 1 February 1919.
Between February and May 1919 the aerodrome was used by 3 Squadron
when it returned from France. RAF Wye was declared surplus to requirements in October 1919 and was restored to agricultural use.
was awarded the Albert Medal
for his rescue of his passenger following a crash at Wye Aerodrome:
History
Wye aerodrome was opened in May 1916 by the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal 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...
as a training airfield, it had a grass landing field and was located on 86 acres (34.8 ha) of low-lying meadow between the main Canterbury to Ashford road
A28 road
The A28 is a trunk road in southern England. It runs south-west from the seaside resort of Margate in Kent via Westgate and Birchington, reaching open countryside at Sarre. The road continues via Upstreet and Hersden to Sturry, and on to the cathedral city of Canterbury...
and the railway line
Ashford to Ramsgate (via Canterbury West) line
The Ashford to Ramsgate line is the railway that runs from Ashford to Ramsgate via Canterbury West. The same termini can be reached by the Kent Coast LineThe line is electrified .-Services:...
. No. 20 Reserve Squadron moved from nearby Dover on 1 June 1916, it operated the Avro 504
Avro 504
The Avro 504 was a World War I biplane aircraft made by the Avro aircraft company and under licence by others. Production during the War totalled 8,970 and continued for almost 20 years, making it the most-produced aircraft of any kind that served in World War I, in any military capacity, during...
biplane trainer, the Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8 a two-seat biplane reconnaissance and bomber and the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 reconnaissance biplane. In January 1917 No. 51 Reserve Squadron arrived as the demand for aircrew for the Western Front
Western Front
Western Front was a term used during the First and Second World Wars to describe the contested armed frontier between lands controlled by Germany to the east and the Allies to the west...
increased and in May 1917 a third squadron (No. 66 Reserve Squadron) was formed from personnel and equipment from the two squadrons. At the end of May the Reserve Squadrons (now renamed Training Squadrons) moved out of Wye when the aerodrome was allocated for use as an Anglo-American training airfield.
Three metal-clad aeroplane sheds were erected to join the original portable Bessonneau hangar
Bessonneau hangar
The Bessonneau hangar was a portable timber and canvas aircraft hangar used by the Royal Flying Corps during World War I.-History:In about 1908, the Bessonneau hangar was designed and manufactured by the French rope and canvas manufacturer Etablissements Bessonneau, headed by Julien Bessonneau and...
and in May 1917 65 Squadron
No. 65 Squadron RAF
No. 65 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force.-World War I:The squadron was first formed at Wyton on 1 August 1916 as a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps with a core provided from the training ground at Norwich. By the end of World War I, it had claimed over 200 victories...
was based with Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
s for four months before it moved to France. No. 86 Squadron moved in from Dover with Sopwith Pup
Sopwith Pup
The Sopwith Pup was a British single seater biplane fighter aircraft built by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It entered service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service in the autumn of 1916. With pleasant flying characteristics and good maneuverability, the aircraft proved very...
and Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
biplane fighters to train at the end of 1917. In December 1917 No. 42 Training Squadron arrived and continued to train British pilots which were joined in the mid-1918 by Americans trainees. Following the Armistice with Germany the Americans departed but the training carried on, albeit not at the same pace until the training squadron was disbanded on 1 February 1919.
Between February and May 1919 the aerodrome was used by 3 Squadron
No. 3 Squadron RAF
No 3 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Typhoon F2, FGR4 and T3 from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.No 3 Squadron, which celebrated its 95th anniversary over the weekend of 11-13 May 2007, is unique in the RAF for having two official crests....
when it returned from France. RAF Wye was declared surplus to requirements in October 1919 and was restored to agricultural use.
Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force units and aircraft
| Unit | Dates | Aircraft | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 3 Squadron RAF No. 3 Squadron RAF No 3 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Typhoon F2, FGR4 and T3 from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.No 3 Squadron, which celebrated its 95th anniversary over the weekend of 11-13 May 2007, is unique in the RAF for having two official crests.... |
15 February 1919 - 2 May 1919 |
Sopwith Camel Sopwith Camel The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult... |
On return from France as cadre |
| No. 61 Squadron RFC | 5 July 1916 - 24 August 1916 |
None | Used personnel from No. 20 Reserve Squadron |
| No. 65 Squadron RFC No. 65 Squadron RAF No. 65 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force.-World War I:The squadron was first formed at Wyton on 1 August 1916 as a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps with a core provided from the training ground at Norwich. By the end of World War I, it had claimed over 200 victories... |
29 May 1917 - 24 October 1917 |
Sopwith Camel Sopwith Camel The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult... |
Moved to France |
| No. 86 Squadron RFC No. 86 Squadron RAF No. 86 Squadron RAF was a unit of the Royal Air Force during World War II. Attached to Coastal Command the unit flew reconnaissance and air-sea rescue missions, anti-shipping strikes, and anti-submarine patrols.-Formation:No... |
17 September 1917 - 16 December 1917 |
Various | |
| No. 20 Training Squadron RFC | 24 July 1916 - 1 June 1917 |
Avro 504 Avro 504 The Avro 504 was a World War I biplane aircraft made by the Avro aircraft company and under licence by others. Production during the War totalled 8,970 and continued for almost 20 years, making it the most-produced aircraft of any kind that served in World War I, in any military capacity, during... , BE.2c Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2 The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 was a British single-engine two-seat biplane which was in service with the Royal Flying Corps from 1912 until the end of World War I. The "Bleriot" in its designation refers to the fact that, like the Bleriot types it was of tractor configuration, with the... , RE.8 |
Also known as 20 Reserve Squadron |
| No. 42 Training Squadron RFC/RAF | 16 December 1917 - 1 February 1919 |
Various | Also known as 42 Reserve Squadron |
| No. 51 Training Squadron RFC | 8 January 1917 - 14 May 1917 |
Various | Also known as 51 Reserve Squadron |
| No. 66 Reserve Squadron RFC | 1 May 1917 - 10 May 1917 |
Various |
Accidents and incidents
On 15 March 1917 Captain Oliver BrysonOliver Bryson
Oliver Campbell Bryson MC, DFC with Bar, G.C. , was a career Royal Air Force officer who served in both World Wars. He was a flying ace credited with 12 aerial victories during World War I.-World War I service:...
was awarded the Albert Medal
Albert Medal (lifesaving)
The Albert Medal for Lifesaving was a British medal awarded to recognise the saving of life. It has since been replaced by the George Cross.The Albert Medal was first instituted by a Royal Warrant on 7 March 1866 and discontinued in 1971 with the last two awards promulgated in the London Gazette of...
for his rescue of his passenger following a crash at Wye Aerodrome: