Whitley Bay, aerodrome

HER Number:
15069

District:
N Tyneside

Site Name:
Whitley Bay, aerodrome

Place:
Whitley Bay

Map Sheet:
NZ37SE

Class:
Defence

Site Type: Broad:
Military Airfield Site

Site Type: Specific:
Military Airfield

General Period:
Modern

Specific Period:
C20

Form of Evidence:
Documentary Evidence

Description:
The Royal Naval Air Service used this site as a coastal landing ground. The main role of the RNAS was fleet reconnaissance, patrolling the coast for enemy ships and submarines, attacking enemy coastal territory and defending Britain from enemy air raids. RNAS Whitley Bay was operational from late 1914. It had four Bristol TB.8s, later BE.2cs, a Bristol Scout C, two Cauldron G.111s and 3 Avro 504Cs. There were two wooden aeroplane sheds. The RNAS station ceased operating by July 1916. There were frequent reports of damage during forced landings, take-offs, crash landings and planes ditched in the sea. The station's only fatality was on 19th September 1915 when a BE.2c was lost in the North Sea and FSL DS Hay was killed. During WW2 aircraft obstructions (HER 12554) were dug on the site to prevent enemy aircraft from landing here.

Easting:
3468

Northing:
7478

Grid Reference:
NZ34687478

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
North East Aircraft Museum, 2010, www.neaviationresearch.org.uk/Airfields/Histories/Tynemouth.htm