Historical Timeline...
▬▬
8050BC to 2003AD▬▬ Use the links below to go to the time period you are most interested in
knowing more about:-
The
Royal Air Force Base
RAF Woodvale, situated in what was then Lancashire, was put into service as an all-weather night fighter airfield on:- 7 December 1941. Its primary role was the protection of the shipping lanes into the River Mersey and defending Liverpool from enemy bombers.
Today, RAF Woodvale is far more
than just a historical relic; it is a vital, active hub for the next
generation of Royal Air Force aviation personnel.While it no longer serves as a frontline fighter
base, its role in:- training, regional security, and heritage
is indispensable within the UK’s defence infrastructure.As
well at training Woodvale
provides critical support to modern UK military operations:-
General Information...
ICAO Code:-
EGOW
Elevation:-
37 ft (11 m) AMSL
Total Site Area:- 173 hectares
Controlled By:-
No. 22 Group (Training)
By its 50th anniversary in 2011 the site was now operating in a new
world that had seen many changes in both technology and how the military
use aircraft. This mean lots of small changes had taken place on the
site, yet its original design could still be seen if you look closely at
the base layout and some surrounding buildings. This is still the case
today.
Runway Details...
Woodvale maintains a:- "Triangular Pattern" layout, a classic design from
its 1941 construction to ensure aircraft could always take off or land
into the wind...
Runway
Length
Width
Surface
Primary
Use
03/21
1,647m
(5,404 ft)
45m
Asphalt
Main
Operational Runway
08/26
1,068m
(3,504 ft)
45m
Asphalt
Secondary
/ Cross-wind
16/34
1,003m
(3,291 ft)
45m
Asphalt
Emergency
/ Training only
Facilities
Hangars:-
2main historic hangars (Hangar No. 2 and Hangar No. 135) provide
concrete apron space for based Tutors and visiting BBMF aircraft. It
also has a Hangar, 1 which was used to house the Merseyside Police
Helicopter. 1 of the 2 large hangers is used civilian aircraft
owners, with the other used for the RAF
Fuel:- 100LL
(Avigas) is available via bowser for based and military transient
aircraft.
Fire Category:-
ICAO Category 2 (Crash Cat 1) during ATC hours.
Airfield Names and Designations
RAF Woodvale:- Primary designation
HMS Ringtail II:- Satellite for RNAS Burscough
(1945)
RNAS Woodvale:- Used during naval control (1945 to
1946)
Woodvale Aerodrome:- Common term in civil aviation
Woodvale:- Most locals simpily refer to it this way.
The Second World War & The "Q" Site
A "Q" site (night bombing decoy) was established at:-
Downholland Moss, near Formby. This site was almost one and a half miles long and intended to represent an airfield at night to trick Luftwaffe pilots. The remains of the concrete control shelter still stand today, along with various gunning emplacements along the coast. The shelter housed a crew of
2 and generators, protected by an earth mound that has since eroded.
WW2 Sabotage... The "Speke Diversion" Rumours
During the early 1940s, there were unverified, but
persistent local rumours of attempted sabotage by Axis sympathizers who
tried to disable the airfield's lighting systems to prevent fighters from
taking off during the Liverpool Blitz. While no official RAF report confirms
a successful:- "break in," it led to the establishment of the
coastal gunning emplacements and a permanent armed guard that remains a part
of the station's culture today.
The Polish Connection...
RAF Woodvale was the base of a number of the
RAF Polish squadrons. It served as a vital location where squadrons could rotate for:- "rest" periods. The first unit to arrive was
308 (Krakowski) Squadron on 12 December 1941, followed later by
315 (Dęblinski) and
317 (Wileński) Squadrons.
There was a significant connection to Speke (now Liverpool John Lennon) Airport. Speke served as the region's Sector Station, but its grass runways often became waterlogged. Woodvale's all weather hard runways were essential to ensure fighter protection for the Mersey when Speke was unusable.
Strategic Regional Connections in World War 2...
Airfield
Relationship to Woodvale
Hooton Park (Wirral)
The original home of 611 Squadron; moved to Woodvale in 1951 for longer runways.
Blackpool (Squires Gate)
Woodvale acted as a Sector Satellite for Squires Gate.
Warton
Used frequently as a diversion airfield for Woodvale's weather flights.
Burscough (HMS Ringtail)
Woodvale became Burscough’s official satellite (HMS Ringtail II) in 1945.
The Legendary THUM Flights (1951 to 1959)
Woodvale holds the prestigious title of being the last operational home
of the:- 'Supermarine Spitfire' in the RAF. The Temperature and Humidity (THUM)
Flight performed daily vertical climbs to:- 30,000 feet to gather weather
data.
The Final Mission:- On June 9, 1957, Spitfire
PS853 flew the last ever operational sortie for a Spitfire in the
RAF.
The Pilots:- Led by civilian veteran
John
Formby, these pilots flew in all weather conditions to ensure
the Met Office had accurate data.
BBMF Heritage:- The Spitfires that retired from
Woodvale (PS853, PM631, and PS915) formed the foundation of the
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
The Last Flight of the Spitfire...
RAF Woodvale is famous for hosting the very last operational flights of the Supermarine Spitfire in British military markings. These missions were part of the
Temperature and Humidity Monitoring (THUM) Flight, which provided vital meteorological data for the Met Office.
On
10 June 1957, the last operational sortie by an RAF Spitfire anywhere in the world took place at Woodvale. This final mission was flown by
John Formby, a civilian pilot with Short Brothers who operated the flight for the RAF, flying Spitfire
PR.XIX PM631.
A major air display was held on:- 12 June 1957 to mark the departure of the final three Spitfires (PM631, PS853, and PS915). Following the display, these aircraft were flown to RAF Biggin Hill to form the
Historic Aircraft Flight, which today is known as the world-famous
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). To this day, PM631 remains one of the longest-serving aircraft in the BBMF.
The Strategic 1960s - USAF Consideration...
In 1966, following France's withdrawal from NATO's integrated military
structure, the:- 'United States Air Force (USAF)' urgently scouted UK
locations for relocation. Woodvale was surveyed as a potential strategic
hub. However, the site was ultimately rejected because the runways were too
short for heavy logistics aircraft like the:-
C-141 Starlifter
and supersonic F-4 Phantoms. Extending the runways would
have required encroaching on the Formby sand dunes and residential areas,
leading the USAF to look elsewhere.
611 (West Lancashire) Squadron...
The "Red Rose" squadron is Woodvale’s most famous resident. After a distinguished WWII record, they flew Spitfires and later
Gloster Meteor jets from Woodvale. Today, the squadron is a vibrant Royal Auxiliary Air Force unit providing global operational support.
Aircraft Summary Table...
Era
Aircraft Type
Primary Role
WWII
Spitfire, Hurricane, Beaufighter
Frontline Defense
1950s
Spitfire PR.XIX & Mosquito
THUM (Meteorological) Flights
1950s-70s
Gloster Meteor
Jet Training / Target Towing
1970s-90s
Chipmunk & Bulldog
University Air Squadron Training
Modern
Grob Tutor T1 & Viking Glider
Current Primary Training Fleet
Modern
Eurofighter Typhoon
Occasional Visits / Staging
Unusual Aircraft not permanently based at RAF Woodvale...
The base is bigger than most people think and over the years many unusual
military and civilian aircraft, which you would not expect to see on what
many, even locals, often think is a small base show up. These are just
a few examples:-
B-17 Flying Fortress... USAF B-17 Flying Fortress frequently used
Woodvale throughout World War 2 as an emergency:- "bolt hole"
when they
couldn't make it back to their primary bases in East Anglia or Burtonwood.
The Avro Shackleton... The "10,000 rivets in close formation,"
this maritime patrol aircraft was a noisy and frequent visitor during
the 1950s and 60s while monitoring the Mersey approaches.
Lockheed C-130 Hercules...
While the Lockheed C-130 Hercules was never permanently based at RAF
Woodvale, it has been a frequent visitor and a significant part of the
station's strategic history. Over 56 years of the Lockheed Hercules being
used for the RAF (upto 30 June 2023 when it was retured) RAF Hercules
crews, from bases like:- RAF Lyneham and RAF Brize Norton used RAF Woodvale
for:- "touch and go" training. The airfield's location on the coast provided
a clear approach, and its relatively short runways (approx. 5,400 ft)
provide excellent practice for Hercules pilots training for short field
landings in tactical environments. Residents living under the flight path in
both:- Formby and Ainsdale frequently witnessed the massive 4 engine
turboprops performing low altitude circuits over the dunes, a standard part
of the RAF's transport pilot training curriculum.
The RAF Hawker Siddeley Nimrod...
Before its retirement on:- 31 March 2010, the Nimrod MR2 (a maritime patrol
aircraft derived from the Comet airliner) was a frequent sight at RAF
Woodvale, which acted as a:- "land mark" and emergency diversion point for
Nimrods patrolling the Irish Sea and the Liverpool shipping lanes. Despite
its size, the Nimrod's powerful engines allowed it to perform impressively
tight low level turns over the airfield during maritime search and rescue
demonstrations.
Lockheed C-130 Hercules...
In recent years the Hercules, the A400M, has recently become 1 of the most:-
"unusual" sights at appear at the base, due to its sheer scale! It
occasionally uses Woodvale to practice short field approaches in a coastal
environment.
Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey...
In recent years the V-22 Osprey as also used in joint training exercises or
as part of the support for visiting US dignitaries. This unique tilt-rotor
aircraft that can take off like a helicopter and fly like a plane really
stands out on the base that was built in 1941.
The
Red Arrows (Hawk T1A)
frequently use RAF Woodvale as their:- "Forward Operating Base."
While they sometimes fly out of larger airports like:-
Liverpool John Lennon or Blackpool, Woodvale is often used for:-
"hot refueling" and as a secure area for the engineering:- "Blues" (ground crew) to service the jets between displays.
Watching nine red Hawks parked on the Woodvale apron, framed by the
historic 1941 hangars, is a signature local sight. Because the Hawk is a
lightweight trainer derived jet, it can comfortably use Woodvale’s 5,404
ft runway.
The Avro Lancaster:-
This massive 4 engine heavy bomber is perhaps the most impressive
aircraft to actually land and taxi at Woodvale.
Modern Civilian and Military Operations...
More , Woodvale is a unique "hybrid" airfield:-
The Royal Flight:- The base serves as a secure landing site for the King and other members of the Royal Family during regional visits.
Frontline Visitors:- While a training base,
Eurofighter Typhoons frequently visit for:-
"touch and go" training.
The Southport Air Show:- This amazing air show is the biggest
in the North West and often uses RAF Woodvale as 1 of the staging areas
for helicopters and light aircraft taking part in the Air Show.
Air Ambulance:-
The North West Air Ambulance frequently uses Woodvale for:- "hot refueling"
or as a secure landing site when transporting patients to specialized
units in the Region.
Merseyside Police Air Support Group...
A new era for the air field started
in 2000 when Merseyside Police moved their air support to a purpose built hangar at Woodvale. Their last helicopter, a
Eurocopter EC135 (Registration G-XMII), was known as:-
"Mike One,"
with the radio call sign XM11. The Merseyside Police helicopter was officially removed from the base in:-
July 2011 following the creation of the National Police Air Service (NPAS).
Although the dedicated Merseyside Police Helicopter left in 2011, NPAS
helicopters from other bases still use Woodvale as a forward landing point
for refuelling during prolonged regional operations.
Date
Target
Type of Attack
Outcome
Oct 2009
G-XMII Helicopter
Smash & Petrol Bomb
3 Arrests; High-speed chase to Birkenhead Tunnel.
May 2010
G-XMII Helicopter
Forced Entry/Vandalism
Helicopter grounded; Stolen Land Rover found in Ainsdale.
Trespassing and Security Breaches...
While RAF Woodvale has a strong security presence, it has faced notable
challenges over the years with trespassing and localized crime.
On the night of:- 9 October 2009,
a gang breached the perimeter of RAF Woodvale with the intent of
destroying the helicopter to disable Merseyside Police's Air Support for
a planned crime elsewhere.Intruders smashed a window of the £2.9
million Eurocopter EC135 (G-XMII)
and poured petrol inside the cabin in an attempt to set it on fire.Officers on duty spotted the
intruders and prevented them from torching the aircraft, leading to
gang fled in a silver Audi A4 and a Mitsubishi
Shogun. Both crashed after the intense
chase.
The helicopter was grounded for a week for repairs.
The May 2010 "Masked Intruder" Incident. This
happened on 17 May 2010, at 4am. Yet again the target was the
Merseyside Police Helicopter. The group managed to cause:-
"minor but significant" damage to the aircraft. The suspects
fled the base in a stolen Land Rover, which was later found
abandoned on Pinfold Lane in Ainsdale. This attack lead led to
immediate questions about the security of a military base being used
for civilian police assets. It forced the implementation of much
higher security measures, including:- enhanced fencing and 24 hour
patrols, which remain a legacy of that era.
The "Fence Jumpers" (2025):- Local reports and social media footage
intermittently showed individuals attempting to "urban explore"
or trespass onto the airfield to photograph the based Grob Tutors or
visiting Eurofighter Typhoons. These incidents led to a reinforcement of
the perimeter fencing along the coast road and
Formby bypass, as the Station is now a secure site for the Royal Flight.
The Woodvale Rally
From:- 1971 to 2011, the Woodvale
International Rally was a cornerstone of the local community. Starting as a
model aircraft show, it grew into a massive festival of classic cars and
military history, attracting thousands before moving to Victoria Park due to
airfield maintenance issues. The event was world famous for its model
aircraft show that included pyrotechnics. The event also had actual aircraft
flying and landing at the base on a few occasions, as well at performing
flypasts and displays over its many years.
Open Golf
The Open Golf is 1 of the largest
sporting events in the North
West and one of the biggest within the Golfing World. This event, when
it is being held at Royal Birkdale often attracts many very powerful people
from all over the world. When the event is held at this Golf Course, the
base is often used as a landing site for VIP's, making it 1 of the few times the military base functions like
a busy civilian aerodrome.
Current Military Based Units
Liverpool University Air Squadron.
Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron.
No. 10 Air Experience Flight.
No. 631 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (returned March 2006)
No. 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron (Re-formed as a reserve unit)
Civilian use...
While RAF Woodvale is a military installation, it
has a long history of civilian aviation use, ranging from private general
aviation to high-stakes commercial operations for the government.
1. Civilian Operators
- The Short Brothers:-
The most
famous civilian presence in RAF Woodvale’s history was
that of the Short Brothers...
The Temperature and Humidity (THUM) Flights,
from:-1951 to 1959, were operated by civilian pilots employed by
Short Brothers, on behalf of both the RAF and the Met Office.
John Formby who
was
pilot who flew the world's last operational RAF Spitfire mission, at
Woodvale, in 1957, was a civilian Short Brothers pilot.
Civilian
Maintenance:- Today, civilian contractors (currently Babcock
International) are responsible for the maintenance of the Grob Tutor
fleet used by the University Air Squadrons.
2. General Aviation (GA) and Woodvale Aircraft
Owners' Group
For decades, Woodvale has hosted a small, dedicated
community of civilian aircraft owners...
The Woodvale
Aircraft Owners' Group (WAOG):- This group allows a limited number of
private civilian aircraft to be hangared on the base. These are
typically light aircraft like the:- Cessna 172s, Pipers, and vintage de
Havilland Chipmunks.
Civilian Flight
Training:- While not a commercial:- "flight school" in
the public sense, civilian pilots based at Woodvale are part of the
airfield's daily traffic, sharing the runways with military Tutors and
Gliders.
Landing Constraints and Safety Issues...
During the
Spitfire and Hurricane eras
(1940s to 50s), several non fatal incidents were recorded due to the nature
of the training at Woodvale. Most had been down to engine
failures:. This has lead to multiple accounts exist of Polish and
British pilots successfully:- "dead sticking"(landing without
power) their aircraft into the soft sand of the Formby dunes or the marshy
land around the airfield. It is also worth noting that between:-
1970s and 80s, during
the transition from the
Chipmunk to the
Bulldog, there were several documented cases if safety issues that lead to
wider changes, not just at Woodvale but throughout the UK. Currently landing at Woodvale requires specific:- "Station
Flight" approval for non based aircraft due to several factors:-
Bird Strike Risk:- Being so close to the Ribble Estuary and the Ainsdale sand
dunes, the risk of bird strikes (particularly gulls and geese) is
high.
Short Runway:-
While fine for Hawks and Spitfires, larger aircraft (like the
Lancaster) must be strictly managed regarding fuel weight and wind
conditions to ensure they can stop safely.
Pedestrian
Proximity:- During air shows, the:- "spotters' row" along the
Formby Bypass is often packed with photographers, requiring the RAF
Police to maintain strict perimeter security.
Significant non-fatal
accidents and "near miss" incidents:-
The 1954 Anson
Training Accident... On
8 July 1954, an
Avro Anson T.11 (Serial
PH760) suffered a serious accident during the takeoff/climb phase.
The aircraft was part of a training mission and was severely damaged
(eventually deemed beyond economical repair). Despite the extensive
damage to the airframe, all personnel on board survived.
The 1997 Grob
Venture Incident...
In 1997,
Grob Venture motor glider
was involved in a serious crash near the airfield.
While the airframe was a total loss and the occupants sustained
injuries, there were
no fatalities.
Precautionary
Landings:- Pilots landing on the airfield after bird strikes or
instrument failures without injury.
Glider Cable
Breaks:- During 631 Volunteer Gliding Squadron operations, cable
breaks led to successful:- "low level circuit" emergency
landings within the airfield perimeter, a standard but high-pressure
emergency procedure that rarely resulted in injury.
The Fallen Aircrews...
Today, withn the Roman Catholic churchyard of
Our Lady of Compassion in Formby,
you can locate the war graves of
6 Polish airmen who lost their lives while serving in the RAF at Woodvale in
World War 2. These men served with the Polish Squadrons
(predominantly:- 308, 315, and 317) that rotated to Woodvale for:-
"rest" and regional defence. To this day,
the Formby Royal British Legion
and the local community hold a special service at the Polish war graves
every Remembrance Sunday.A commemorative panel at the
Freshfield Dune Heath Nature Reserve
also lists the names of all airmen and aircrew killed while serving at RAF
Woodvale, between:- 1939 and 1947.
World
War 2 - Fatal Polish Crew Incidents:-
The "Wet Tar" Incident (1942):- During the
early construction of the airfield, a Polish Spitfire pilot (often
associated with the Jack Waters account) attempted to land on a runway
where the tar was still fresh and soft.Despite warnings from ground
crew, the aircraft landed, the wheels sank into the tar, and the plane
flipped and exploded.The pilot involved
in the accident was Sergeant Jerzy Stanislaw Zielinsky
(often spelled Zielinski)of the 308 (Krakowski) Squadronwas
tragically died in the incident, records indicate that other pilots
successfully avoided the same fate after being waved off by ground
crews, landing instead on the grass or at nearby diversion airfields
like Warton.
Squadron Leader
Marian Wesołowski (Aged 33):- A highly experienced officer and
commander, Wesołowski was killed on January 12, 1942.
His death was the result of a tragic mid air collision during a training
exercise involving 2 Spitfires from 308 Squadron.
Pilot Officer
Stanisław Krawczyński (Aged 28):- Krawczyński died on January 13, 1942,
just one day after Wesołowski. His Spitfire crashed into the mudflats of
the Ribble Estuary
(North of the airfield) during a patrol. The treacherous tidal
conditions of the estuary made the recovery of aircraft and personnel
notoriously difficult.
Flying Officer
Bolesław Palej:- Palej was killed in a practice dogfight
accident over the coast. While conducting mock combat maneuvers; a
standard part of training to keep pilots sharp; his aircraft entered an
irrecoverable state or collided, leading to a fatal crash. (Note:- While some
records mention a B. Palej who survived a bail-out in a separate
incident, the individual interred at Formby died in the line of duty
during his Woodvale tenure.)
Sergeant Klemens
Adamowicz:- He lost his life in a flying accident in December 1943.
As a Sergeant Pilot, he was involved in the intensive daily patrols
required to protect the Mersey shipping lanes.
Sergeant Mieczysław
Adamek:- A distinguished Flying Ace with
multiple confirmed kills against the Luftwaffe, Adamek survived many
combat missions only to die in a flying accident in 1944. His
death was a significant blow to the morale of the Polish squadrons due
to his status as a veteran:- "Ace."
Corporal Wacław
Adolf:- Unlike the others, Corporal Adolf was a member of the ground crew. He
died during the squadron's tenure at Woodvale; while not a pilot, ground
crew were subject to the same rigorous conditions and occasional
accidents involving aircraft maintenance and airfield operations.
Beyond the Polish graves at Formby, other airmen
lost their lives in incidents associated with the base...
Other World
War 2 - Fatal Incidents:-
USAAF B-24 Liberator
(1944):- 5 American personnel were killed when their heavy bomber
crashed in thick mist while attempting to navigate the Merseyside coast.
15 personnel where rescued by locals and ground crew..
F/O W. H. Vallee
(1944):- A USAAF pilot flying a P-38 Lightning.
He was ordered to abort a landing at Woodvale due to incoming Typhoons.
During a simulated forced landing in the Formby dunes, his aircraft
crashed, killing him instantly.
The 1944
USAAF B-24:- The crash of the B24
Liberator on:- 25 October
1944 is often remembered for its 5 fatalities, but it was also a
remarkable story of survival for the rest of the crew. Out of the
20 personnel on
board (mostly veterans returning for rest and recuperation),
15 survived the
impact and subsequent fire. They were rescued by local farmers and
airfield personnel near Ainsdale beach.
Post War - Fatal
Incidents:-
On 2 March 1988 an accident involving a Bulldog T1 (Serial
Number XX712)
that had departed from RAF Woodvale for a general handling sortie
crashed.According to the
investigation, the aircraft entered a spin and crashed onto Ainsdale
Beach, subsequently catching fire. resulting in 1 fatality,
a member of the Manchester University Air Squadron (MUAS), Acting Pilot
Officer Mark Francis Davies, (aged 20). He was the sole occupant of the
aircraft. Witnesses on the beach rushed to the wreckage and managed to
remove the cockpit canopy. However, despite their:- "valiant
efforts," they were unable to release APO Davies from his
harness before a fire broke out in the engine compartment. He had been
knocked unconscious by the force of the impact. It was reported that the
investigation found that the pilot deviated from his authorized flight
plan to perform an unauthorized low level pass over Southport. During an
extreme maneuver at low altitude, the aircraft entered a spin. Due to
the low height, there was insufficient time to recover. The Bulldog
struck the sands of Ainsdale Beach
in a flat, spinning attitude.
A crash on 16 August 1999 involving a
Grob Tutor T1 (Registration G-BYUT)
resulted in the loss of life. The aircraft had just taken off
from Woodvale for a routine training flight for the Liverpool University
Air Squadron. Shortly after takeoff, while the aircraft was in the
initial climb phase at an altitude of approximately:- 300 to 500 feet.
Witnesses reported hearing the engine "splutter" before the plane
plummeted into the field. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, and
both occupants were killed instantly. The subsequent investigation
looked into a possible technical failure, specifically regarding the
engine's fuel system or a sudden loss of power during the critical
takeoff phase. The crash killed Squadron Leader Mike Murphy (aged
52), who was an experience former frontline Harrier Pilot and a
respected, veteran instructor at RAF Woodvale., It also kelled
Acting Pilot Officer Ajvir Singh Sandhu (aged 25)
Contamination...
Research into the environmental
history of RAF Woodvale reveals that, like many military airfields
established during the mid 20th Century, the site has faced specific
contamination challenges. These are primarily related to its wartime legacy,
but also some modern issues like firefighting training have resulted in
contamination of the site. These are the 4 most highlighted issues
that are publicly known:-
Radium
226 and Radioactive Contamination... 1 of the most
significant contamination issues at Woodvale, and many similar RAF bases,
involves Radium 226. The soccer of this contamination is thought to be from
aircraft instruments (dials, gauges, and switches) were painted with
radioluminescent paint containing Radium 226 so they could be seen at night
from:- WWII, into the 1950s.
When aircraft were scrapped, damaged, or burned
in:- "fire pits" on site, the radium leaked into the soil.
Because Radium 226 has a half life of 1,600 years,
it remains a persistent environmental hazard.The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has conducted
various surveys at Woodvale to identify "hotspots," particularly around old hangar sites and historic waste pits.
PFAS
and Firefighting Foams... A more
modern contamination concern involves PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called:- "forever chemicals."
For decades, the RAF used
Aqueous Film-Forming
Foam (AFFF) for fire training exercises. These foams were highly
effective at smothering fuel fires but contained high concentrations of PFAS.
Because Woodvale is situated on permeable sandy soil near the coast, there
is a high risk of these chemicals leaching into the groundwater. In line with national UK military policy, Woodvale has transitioned to
fluorine free foams, and the MoD continues to monitor groundwater quality
around the station perimeter to ensure local water tables remain safe.
Hydrocarbon and Fuel Leaks...Given its 80 year history as a
refuelling point for everything from Spitfires to the Red Arrows, the ground
has been subject to hydrocarbon contamination. Leaking Tanks: Older
underground storage tanks (USTs) used in the 1940s and 50s were prone to
corrosion. Spillages: Historic fuelling practices were less stringent than
modern standards. Evidence of:-"Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons"
(TPH) has been found in localized areas, particularly near the older
hangar 2 and hangar 135 foundations.
Asbestos in Historic Buildings...
As a base constructed
rapidly in 1941, many of the original structures used
Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs)
for roofing, insulation, and pipe lagging. While managed under strict health
and safety protocols today, the aging nature of the WWII-era hangars means
that any renovation or demolition (such as the works seen in the early
2020's) requires specialized asbestos removal to prevent fibre release into
the local environment.
Related pages within our History
Section...
1. Aviation -
Liverpool City Region - Coming Soon
2. Merseyside
- World War 2 - Coming Soon
3. The May Blitz
- Coming Soon
4. Western
Approaches - Coming Soon
Useful external links...
Royal Air Force (RAF) -
Link
Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust -
Link
Formby Civic Society -
Link
3. Woodvale Pilots' Association -
Link
Facebook - 611 Squadron -
Link Polish Forces Ceremonial Committee -
Link
British Poles -
Link
Our related YouTube videos...
Did you know? The
Royal Air Force (RAF) was formed near the end of the 1st World War on:-
1 April 1918. It was formed when both the British Army's Royal Flying
Corps (RFV) and the Royal Naval Air Servive (RNAS) merged.
Research
conducted in:- 2004 and written by:- Alexia Wodli. It
was updated by:- Eric Lion-Taylor 2013 and by Patrick Trollope in:- 2015 and 2026.
If you think you know any historic topic we should investigate and add to
this page, up to the year 2000, please do let us know by emailing our
newsroom to:-
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