Definition
Netheravon Airfield is a military airfield situated near the village of Netheravon in Wiltshire, England. It has been operated by the British armed forces, primarily the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Army Air Corps (AAC), for training, operational support, and logistical purposes.
Overview
The airfield occupies a site on the banks of the River Avon, approximately 8 km north‑west of the town of Salisbury. Established in the early 20th century, Netheravon has served various roles, including a training base for the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War, a RAF station during the inter‑war period and the Second World War, and later a hub for Army aviation training. The site is currently administered by the British Army’s Army Air Corps and forms part of the larger Netheravon Training Area, which also hosts infantry and artillery units.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Netheravon” derives from the nearby village of Netheravon. “Nether” is an Old English term meaning “lower,” referring to the village’s position downstream on the River Avon relative to the settlement of Upper (or Higher) Avon. The airfield adopted the village name upon its establishment.
Characteristics
- Location and Size: The airfield covers an area of roughly 300 hectares within the Salisbury Plain training region. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 51°18′N 1°45′W.
- Runways: Historically the site featured a grass airstrip of about 1,200 m length used for light aircraft. In later years, a paved runway of 1,050 m (3,445 ft) was constructed to accommodate fixed‑wing training aircraft and helicopters.
- Facilities: The airfield includes hangars, maintenance workshops, a control tower (operational during active training periods), fuel storage, and accommodation blocks for personnel. Supporting infrastructure such as an ammunition depot and vehicle maintenance areas are integrated within the broader training complex.
- Operational Use:
- World War I: Served as a Royal Flying Corps training depot, hosting pilot and observer instruction units.
- Inter‑war and World War II: Functioned as RAF Netheravon, hosting fighter and bomber squadrons, as well as serving as a satellite for nearby RAF stations.
- Post‑war: Transitioned to Army control in 1966, becoming a principal site for the Army Air Corps’ rotary‑wing training, particularly for the Westland Scout, Gazelle, and later the Apache and Wildcat helicopters.
- Current Status: As of the latest publicly available information (2023), Netheravon Airfield remains active for AAC training exercises, occasional joint service drills, and as a contingency airfield for military operations. No regular commercial or civilian aviation activity is reported.
Related Topics
- Royal Air Force (RAF)
- Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)
- Salisbury Plain Training Area
- Royal Flying Corps training depots
- Military aviation in the United Kingdom
- Wiltshire geography and military installations
All information presented is based on publicly available defence publications, historical records, and official British Ministry of Defence releases.