Category: Flight Simulator X - Scenery
RAF Keevil

File Description:
The airfield was built on a site previously ear-marked for the purpose in the mid-1930s. Consisting of 3 long concrete runways the airfield was used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces Eighth and Ninth Air Forces. In 1942 Keevil airfield was provided to the USAAF and it was assigned USAAF designation 471 (KV). Squadrons based at the unit transported military freight and supplies using C-47 and C-53 aircraft. RAF Fighter Command use Short Stirlings of Nos. 196 and 299 Squadrons RAF lining the runway at RAF Keevil on the evening of 5 June 1944 before emplaning paratroops of the 5th Parachute Brigade Group for the invasion of Normandy With the departure of the Americans, the RAF used Keevil beginning in March 1944 for 196 and 299 Squadron Short Stirling glider tugs of No. 38 Group RAF arrived followed by a large number of Horsa gliders, crewed by Army pilots of the Glider Pilot Regiment. The RAF Stirling aircraft were crewed by RAF, RCAF, RAAF, RNZAF and SAAF personnel and were engaged in SOE and SAS drops. largely in France, and in glider towing. Their involvement in the Normandy invasion of France and Operation Market-Garden is well remembered by Keevil and Steeple Ashton villagers. Casualties of army and air force personnel were heavy and a number of aircraft were lost. With the end of military control, Keevil airfield is virtually complete with all of its runways, perimeter track and many of the hardstands still in place. It is used occasionally for British Army and RAF exercises. The airfield is still frequently used by the RAF for training purposes such as air drops and parachuting, the gate is always locked and access is restricted to authorized key holders only. Ref ~ http://www.wdrcfc.org.uk/wp/about-2/clubrules/ Since 1992 it has been home to the Bannerdown Gliding Club, an RAF Gliding and Soaring Association Club, affiliated to RAF Brize Norton since the closure of nearby RAF station at Lyneham. The airfield is also used as a motorsport circuit for various events. It is also the home of the Warminster and District Radio Control flying club. In September 1994 the Keevil Society, organised by Paul Vingoe, held a Commemorative Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the D-Day and Arnhem operations and to dedicate a memorial to all who served at Keevil, especially those who flew from there and lost their lives. Source:Wikipedia