Raadi Airfield

In 1940 100 hectares (250 acres) were requisitioned from the Raadi Manor estates to create a Russian airport.[2] The airfield was fought over during the Second World War and the manor house was burnt during the Tartu Offensive.

The airport became a major Soviet bomber base for fifty years. The secrecy of the airfield meant that foreigners were not allowed to visit the city. Dozens of bombers were based here making it the largest Baltic airfield. The airfield is still seen as a reminder that Estonia was occupied by Soviet forces.[3]

It was a fairly extensive base with 24 large revetments and over 30 small ones. This airfield was listed as No. 13 in USSR airfield priority, by the USA in 1956. Meaning it was the only nuclear target in Baltics at this time.[4] It was a Soviet base, home to 132 TBAP (132nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment) which flew Tupolev Tu-16 and Tupolev Tu-22M aircraft.[5] It was also a transport base with the 192 and/or 196 VTAP (Military Transport Aviation Regiment) flying Ilyushin Il-76M cargo jets until 1990.[6] These jets were relocated to Tver.

On 15 January 1991, a Soviet Air Force Tupolev Tu-16K Badger crashed near Tartu Air Base, on landing when the undercarriage failed to extend. The pilot and co-pilot ejected, but the four crew members were killed.[7]

By 1993 it was listed as a designated emergency airfield on a Jeppesen chart for airline use although this is no longer possible as the runway has various used car lots preventing use by aircraft. On 16 January 2006 the winning works of the international architecture competition held to design the new Estonian National Museum building were revealed. [8] [9]

In 2020, estimated 200,000 solar panels will be built on Raadi Airfield, making it the biggest Solar Farm in Estonia.