RAF Shallufa

RAF Shallufa
قاعدة شلوفة الجوية
Shallufa, Suez Governorate in Egypt
Boeing Fortress I, 1941.
RAF Shallufa is located in Egypt
RAF Shallufa
RAF Shallufa
Shown within Egypt
Coordinates30°03′10″N 32°32′30″E / 30.05278°N 32.54167°E / 30.05278; 32.54167
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byNear East Air Force
Site history
Built1941 (1941)
In use1941 - 1955 (1955)
Battles/warsMediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Runways
Direction Length and surface
N/S 2,273 metres (7,457 ft) Asphalt
NW/SE 1,371 metres (4,498 ft) Asphalt
NE/SW 1,143 metres (3,750 ft) Asphalt
E/W 1,143 metres (3,750 ft) Asphalt

Royal Air Force Shallufa or more commonly RAF Shallufa (LG-215) is a former Royal Air Force station located in Suez Governorate, Egypt.

History

From 1942 - 1944, RAF Shallufa hosted the No. 5 Middle East Torpedo (Training) School,[1] and trained several Chinese aircrew. [2] The airfield had four asphalt runways and was operated by the Near East Air Force. The airfield later served as a British military base until 1955, when a ceremonial flag handover by Prime Minister Nasser was held. [3]

Layout

The runways were lighted with electric cables. The airfield had an air traffic control tower, a 14-bed infirmary, shops and an administrative building. On-site was two installed steel hangars, a swimming pool, and a cinema.

For fueling purposes, Shallufa had a capacity of 86,000 gallons of Aviation Gas and 28,920 gallons of jet fuel. While not related to the airfield, nearby was a speedway commonly used by the people who was stationed there. [4] [5]

Crashes

On 21 February 1943, a Martin Marauder took off at Shallufa to attack ships. However the aircraft was gunned down and six fatalities were reported.

On 12 January 1949, a four engine aircraft during training dived and crashed near the airfield with nine fatalities reported. The cause of this crash was a faulty right elevator that detached.[6]

On 22 October 1951, a de Havilland Vampire did a crash-landing on the runway in which the pilot was unfortunately killed.[7]

Labeled diagram of RAF Shallufa.

Units

The following units based at RAF Shallufa:[8]

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 191.
  2. ^ "The RAF and China: A Forgotten Alliance (Part 3)". RAF Museum Blog. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Return of the British military base Shallufa to the Egyptian army Prime Minister Nasser handing over the flag". Getty Images. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  4. ^ Stevens, D. "RAF Shallufa". Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  5. ^ "Middle Eastern Airfield Report Volume 2 | Page 79" (PDF). apps.dtic.mil. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  6. ^ "Crash of a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings C.1 in Shallufa AFB: 9 killed | Shallufa AFB". baaa-acro.com. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  7. ^ Brummell, P. "RAF Shallufa As Remembered By Peter Brummell". Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  8. ^ Taynton, Montague. "RAF Kasfareet". Canal Zoners. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  9. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 26.
  10. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 28.
  11. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 36.
  12. ^ a b Jefford 1988, p. 37.
  13. ^ a b Jefford 1988, p. 38.
  14. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 40.
  15. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 46.
  16. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 48.
  17. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 50.
  18. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 52.
  19. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 54.
  20. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 64.
  21. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 71.
  22. ^ a b Jefford 1988, p. 72.
  23. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 78.
  24. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 88.
  25. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 93.
  26. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 101.

Bibliography

  • Jefford, C. G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912. Tonbridge, UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 978-0851-3036-59.