RAF Ringway

RAF Ringway. Located near Manchester, it was a significant Royal Air Force station operational from 1939 until 1957. Primarily established as a training base for airborne forces, it played a crucial role in the development of British airborne forces during the Second World War. The station also served as a major centre for aircraft assembly, modification, and testing, contributing directly to the Allied war effort.

History

The airfield was constructed on land requisitioned from the de Trafford family estate, with development accelerating following the outbreak of the Second World War. It opened in 1939 under the control of No. 1 Group RAF, initially intended as a Satellite airfield for RAF Sealand. Its role expanded dramatically in 1940 when it was selected as the central depot for the newly formed Parachute Regiment and the Glider Pilot Regiment. Throughout the conflict, the station was integral to operations such as the Battle of Normandy and the Arnhem landings, training thousands of parachutists and glider pilots. The site also hosted important experimental work, including early trials for the Horsa glider and the Hamilcar glider.

Role and operations

The principal function was as the home of the Central Landing Establishment, later renamed the Airborne Forces Establishment. This made it the sole dedicated training school for all British Army parachutists and glider-borne troops during the war. Training involved jumps from modified Whitley and Halifax bombers over the surrounding areas of Cheshire. Alongside this core mission, it operated as a major aircraft preparation unit under No. 47 Maintenance Unit RAF, handling the assembly, repair, and flight-testing of thousands of aircraft, including Lancaster bombers and Mustang fighters, received from manufacturers like A.V. Roe and Fairey Aviation.

Units and aircraft

Numerous front-line and support units were based here. Key flying units included No. 1 Parachute Training School RAF and the Glider Exercise Squadron. The station also hosted various RAF maintenance units and was used by the Fleet Air Arm for carrier-landing practice. Aircraft types were diverse, ranging from trainers like the Airspeed Oxford to frontline bombers such as the Vickers Wellington and de Havilland Mosquito. Post-war, it became a base for No. 613 Squadron RAF, which operated de Havilland Vampire jet fighters. The United States Army Air Forces also utilized the facilities for staging aircraft like the Douglas Dakota.

Post-war use and closure

After the war, its military importance gradually diminished. It continued to host reserve squadrons and was used for civil aviation, with British European Airways operating scheduled flights. The station was officially closed by the Royal Air Force in 1957, and the site was subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Aviation. The airfield was then developed commercially, reopening in 1958 as Manchester Airport, which has since grown into one of the United Kingdom's busiest international airports. Some former technical buildings were repurposed for airport operations.

Memorials and heritage

The site's military heritage is commemorated in several ways. A memorial plaque and a dedicated Airborne Forces memorial garden are located within the grounds of the modern airport, near the site of the original parachute training towers. The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester holds archives and artefacts related to its history. Furthermore, the Imperial War Museum North features exhibits detailing the role of airborne forces trained here. Annual remembrance services are conducted by veterans' associations, including the Parachute Regiment Association, to honour those who trained at the station.

Category:Royal Air Force stations in North West England Category:Military history of Manchester Category:Airports established in 1938