RAF Reykjavik

Former Royal Air Force station in Iceland

RAF Reykjavik

* IATA: RKV
* ICAO: BIRK

Summary
Airport type| Military
Owner| Icelandic Government
Operator| Royal Air Force
Serves| Reykjavík, Iceland
Location| Reykjavík, Iceland
Built| 1940 (1940)
In use| 1941-1945 (1945)
Elevation AMSL| 45 ft / 13.7 m
Coordinates| 64°07′48″N 021°56′26″W﻿ / ﻿64.13000°N 21.94056°W﻿ / 64.13000; -21.94056
Map

RAF Reykjavík

Location in Iceland

Royal Air Force Reykjavik or more simply RAF Reykjavik is a former Royal Air Force station, at Reykjavík Airport, Iceland. It was constructed during the allied occupation of Iceland during the Second World War, by the British Armed Forces.

## History

[edit]

After the invasion of Iceland, the construction of an airport was pertinent for military operations. The Vatnsmýri site was requisitioned and built up as an airport and base by the British Army.

Construction began in October 1940, initially operating with a grass surface. The Black Watch regiment along with a contingent of local Icelandic labourers built the first runway over sunken oil barrels. Part of the Skerjafjörður neighbourhood had to be demolished for the construction of the 13/31 runway.

The British Army and the Royal Air Force used the airport from March 1941 and throughout the remainder of the Second World War.

Multiple aircraft hangars and Nissen huts were constructed by the British Army, many of which continue to be used into the 21st century.[1]

During the war, domestic and international civilian air traffic was very restricted. The airport was handed over to Icelandic authorities and became a civilian facility as Reykjavík Airport in 1946.[1]

## Squadrons

[edit]

Sqn | Aircraft | Joined | Departed | From → To | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

53 | Consolidated Liberator VI & VIII | 13 September 1944 | 1 June 1945 | RAF St Eval → RAF St Davids | Squadron move and a detachment sent to RAF Ballykelly.[2]
86 | Consolidated Liberator IIIA & V | 24 March 1944 | 1 July 1944 | RAF Ballykelly → RAF Tain | Squadron moved with a detachment to RAF Tain.[3]
120 | Consolidated Liberator III & V | 15 April 1943 | 24 March 1944 | RAF Aldergrove → RAF Ballykelly | Originally detachments from RAF Ballykelly and then RAF Aldergrove before Squadron move and detachment to RAF Aldergrove.[4]
190 | Consolidated PBY Catalina IB | 17 February 1943 | October 1943 | RAF Sullom Voe → DB | On detachment before the Squadron was disbanded and then reformed as No. 210 Sqn.[5]
204 | Short Sunderland I & II | 5 April 1941 | 15 July 1941 | RAF Sullom Voe → RAF Gibraltar | Squadron move and a detachment to RAF Pembroke Dock.[6]
209 | Consolidated PBY Catalina I | 26 July 1941 | 10 October 1941 | RAF Lough Erne → RAF Pembroke Dock | Squadron move.[7]
210 | Short Sunderland I | 13 July 1940 | 28 February 1942 | RAF Oban → RAF Sullom Voe | On detachment only.[8]
220 | Boeing Fortress II | July 1942 | 14 February 1943 | RAF Ballykelly → RAF Aldergrove | On detachment only.[9]
221 | Vickers Wellington IC | 2 May 1941 | 25 December 1941 | RAF Limavady → RAF Docking | On detachment initially prior to Squadron move 29 September 1941 (with a detachment at RAF Limavady).[10]
251 | Lockheed Ventura I | 1 August 1941 | 30 October 1945 | Reformed → Disbanded | After the Ventura the squadron flew: Lockheed Hudson III, Avro Anson I, Boeing Fortress II and Vickers Warwick I.[11]
269 | Lockheed Hudson III | 6 March 1943 | 8 January 1944 | RAF Kaldadarnes → RAF Davidstow Moor | Squadron move.[12]
279 | Hawker Hurricane IIC | February 1945 | 3 September 1945 | RAF Thornaby → RAF Beccles | On detachment only.[13]
280 | Vickers Warwick I | 23 November 1945 | 21 June 1946 | RAF Thornaby → DB | On detachment only prior to Squadron being disbanded.[14]
330 | Northrop N-3PB NOMAD
Catalina III | 28 January 1943 | 12 July 1943 | Formed → RAF Oban | This 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.[15]
612 | Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V & VII | 1 April 1941 | 18 August 1942 | RAF Wick → RAF Thorney Island | On detachment first then squadron move.[16]

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

[edit]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Saga flugvalla og flugleiðsögu by Isavia - Issuu". issuu.com. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
2. ^ Jefford, p.45 (No. 53 Sqn)
3. ^ Jefford, p.54 (No. 86 Sqn)
4. ^ Jefford, p.60 (No. 120 Sqn)
5. ^ Jefford, p.69 (No. 190 Sqn)
6. ^ Jefford, p.71 (No. 204 Sqn)
7. ^ Jefford, p.72 (No. 209 Sqn)
8. ^ Jefford, p.72 (No. 210 Sqn)
9. ^ Jefford, p.74 (No. 220 Sqn)
10. ^ Jefford, p.75 (No. 221 Sqn)
11. ^ Jefford, p.80 (No. 251 Sqn)
12. ^ Jefford, p.84 (No. 269 Sqn)
13. ^ Jefford, p.85 (No. 279 Sqn)
14. ^ Jefford, p.85 (No. 280 Sqn)
15. ^ Jefford, p.89 (No. 330 Sqn)
16. ^ Jefford, p.101 (No. 612 Sqn)

### Bibliography

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to RAF Reykjavik.

* 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.

* v
* t
* e

Royal Air Force

Ministry of Defence

Formations
and units|

| Units|

* Commands
* Groups
* Wings
* Squadrons
* Flights
* Conversion units
* Operational Training units
* Schools / Training units
* Ferry units
* Glider units
* Misc units

|

Stations|

* Active
* Former
* Satellite Landing Grounds

Regiment|

* Wings
* Squadrons
* Flights

Branches and
components|

* Air Force Board
* RAF Regiment
* RAF Chaplains Branch
* RAF Intelligence
* RAF Legal Branch
* RAF Medical Services
* Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service
* RAF Police
* RAF ground trades
* RAF Music Services
* RAF Search and Rescue Force
* RAF Mountain Rescue Service
* RAF Marine Branch
* RAF Air Cadets
* Operations

Reserve forces|

* Royal Auxiliary Air Force
* RAF Volunteer Reserve

Equipment|

* List of RAF aircraft
* current
* future
* List of RAF missiles
* List of equipment of the RAF Regiment

Personnel|

* Officer ranks
* Other ranks
* List of notable personnel
* List of serving senior officers
* Personnel numbers

Appointments|

* Chief of Air Staff
* Assistant Chief of the Air Staff
* Air Member for Personnel
* Air Secretary
* Air Member for Materiel
* Commandant-General of the RAF Regiment
* Warrant Officer of the RAF

Symbols and uniform|

* Badge
* Ensign
* Heraldic badges
* Roundels
* Squadron standards and battle honours
* Uniform

Associated civil
organisations|

* Air Training Corps
* Combined Cadet Force (RAF section)
* RAF Association
* RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine
* RAF Benevolent Fund
* RAF Football Association
* RAF Museum

* history
* timeline
* future
* commons

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template