Limavady

55°04'28"N 006°56'27"W

runway: 07/00 - 1420x44m - tarmac
runway: 12/00 - 1150x44m - tarmac
runway: 16/00 - 1420x44m - tarmac

Limavady airfield (RAF Limavady, locally also known as Aghanloo airfield) was an airfield 80 kilometers northwest of Belfast.
The airfield was built in 1940, the first of more than 20 airfields constructed in Northern Ireland during World War II. First recorded use was in December 1940 by 502 Sqn Whitley bombers on anti-submarine patrols. 502 Sqn had the distinction of being the first operational unit to be equipped with the new long range ASV (air-to-surface vessel) radar. The Whitleys were soon followed by the Hudsons and Wellingtons of 224 and 221 Squadrons, respectively. The three squadrons accumulated about 25,600 flying hours on convoy patrols during their first year of service from the airfield, a record achievement among airfields in 15 Group during the period.
In April 1942, however, the airfield was handed over to 17 Group for training purposes and the operational squadrons withdrew. They were replaced by 7 Operational Training Unit (OTU) equipped with Wellingtons and Ansons until January 1944.
In January 1944 it once again became a base for operational Wellington squadrons (612, 407, and 172) as well as Fleet Air Arm 850 Sqn operating Avengers within 15 Group. The airfield will probably be remembered by the RAF for the high accident rate that saw many airmen lose their lives. In one incident alone in January 1943, three aircraft were lost. Bad weather and its proximity to Benevenagh Mountain (1,260 ft) accounted for many of these accidents.
The RAF left the airfield on 15 August 1945.


Limavady somewhere during World War II (ulsteraviationsociety.org).


502 Sqn Whitleys with ASV radar for Anti Submarine duties parked at RAF Limavady (shackletonaviationandspacemuseum.homestead.com).

The airfield became a satellite to RNAS Eglinton in the 1950s. For the purpose it was provided with a dummy carrier landing deck. Use by the Fleet Air Arm lasted until 1958. After the FAA left the airfield it was sold off.

Part of the terrain is now the Aghanloo Industrial Estate, the remainder was returned to agriculture. The airfield is still recognisable from the air.
Some of its infrastructure stilll remains on the ground. Severeal hangars have attracted businesses. Some taxiways and dispersals also still exist.




The airfield as it was in 2009 (Google Earth)