RAF Reykjavik

Royal Air Force Station Reykjavik or more simply RAF Reykjavik is a former Royal Air Force station, at Reykjavík Airport, Iceland.

RAF Reykjavik

Hurricane aircraft at RAF Reykjavik during World War II
Summary
Airport typeMilitary
OwnerIcelandic Government
OperatorRoyal Air Force
ServesReykjavík, Iceland
LocationReykjavík, Iceland
Built1940 (1940)
In use1941-1945 (1945)
Elevation AMSL45 ft / 13.7 m
Coordinates64°07′48″N 021°56′26″W
Map
RAF Reykjavík
Location in Iceland

Beginnings

The station was built in 1940 by the British Army and used by the Royal Air Force from March 1941 and throughout the remainder of the Second World War.

Squadrons
SqnAircraftJoinedDepartedFrom → ToNotes
53Consolidated Liberator VI & VIII13 September 19441 June 1945RAF St Eval → RAF St DavidsSquadron move and a detachment sent to RAF Ballykelly.[1]
86Consolidated Liberator IIIA & V24 March 19441 July 1944RAF Ballykelly → RAF TainSquadron moved with a detachment to RAF Tain.[2]
120Consolidated Liberator III & V15 April 194324 March 1944RAF Aldergrove → RAF BallykellyOriginally detachments from RAF Ballykelly and then RAF Aldergrove before Squadron move and detachment to RAF Aldergrove.[3]
190Consolidated PBY Catalina IB17 February 1943October 1943RAF Sullom Voe → DBOn detachment before the Squadron was disbanded and then reformed as No. 210 Sqn.[4]
204Short Sunderland I & II5 April 194115 July 1941RAF Sullom Voe → RAF GibraltarSquadron move and a detachment to RAF Pembroke Dock.[5]
209Consolidated PBY Catalina I26 July 194110 October 1941RAF Lough Erne → RAF Pembroke DockSquadron move.[6]
210Short Sunderland I13 July 194028 February 1942RAF Oban → RAF Sullom VoeOn detachment only.[7]
220Boeing Fortress IIJuly 194214 February 1943RAF Ballykelly → RAF AldergroveOn detachment only.[8]
221Vickers Wellington IC2 May 194125 December 1941RAF Limavady → RAF DockingOn detachment initially prior to Squadron move 29 September 1941 (with a detachment at RAF Limavady).[9]
251Lockheed Ventura I1 August 194130 October 1945Reformed → DisbandedAfter the Ventura the squadron flew: Lockheed Hudson III, Avro Anson I, Boeing Fortress II and Vickers Warwick I.[10]
269Lockheed Hudson III6 March 19438 January 1944RAF Kaldadarnes → RAF Davidstow MoorSquadron move.[11]
279Hawker Hurricane IICFebruary 19453 September 1945RAF Thornaby → RAF BecclesOn detachment only.[12]
280Vickers Warwick I23 November 194521 June 1946RAF Thornaby → DBOn detachment only prior to Squadron being disbanded.[13]
330Northrop N-3PB NOMAD
Catalina III		28 January 194312 July 1943Formed → RAF ObanThis Squadron was formed at RAF Reykjavik on 25 April 1941 before being moved to RAF Oban leaving behind a detachment until their next move to RAF Sullom Voe. The squadron was disbanded 21 November 1945 and transferred to Norwegian control.[14]
612Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V & VII1 April 194118 August 1942RAF Wick → RAF Thorney IslandOn detachment first then squadron move.[15]

After the cessation of hostilities of the Second World War the British Government handed the airfield over to the Icelandic Civil Aviation Authority on 6 July 1946. It is now known as Reykjavik Airport.

References

Citations
  1. Jefford, p.45 (No. 53 Sqn)
  2. Jefford, p.54 (No. 86 Sqn)
  3. Jefford, p.60 (No. 120 Sqn)
  4. Jefford, p.69 (No. 190 Sqn)
  5. Jefford, p.71 (No. 204 Sqn)
  6. Jefford, p.72 (No. 209 Sqn)
  7. Jefford, p.72 (No. 210 Sqn)
  8. Jefford, p.74 (No. 220 Sqn)
  9. Jefford, p.75 (No. 221 Sqn)
  10. Jefford, p.80 (No. 251 Sqn)
  11. Jefford, p.84 (No. 269 Sqn)
  12. Jefford, p.85 (No. 279 Sqn)
  13. Jefford, p.85 (No. 280 Sqn)
  14. Jefford, p.89 (No. 330 Sqn)
  15. Jefford, p.101 (No. 612 Sqn)

Bibliography
  • Jefford, C G (2001). R.A.F Squadrons, A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
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