Contents
Key Facts
| Name: | Bristol Airport (2) |
| Alternate Name: | |
| Location: | Bristol |
| Region: | |
| ICAO Code: | EGGD |
| IATA Code: | BRS |
| Usage: | Civil |
| Category: | Public Airport |
| Start: | 1940 |
| End: |
Ownership
Operator: South West Airports Ltd
Operator’s Identity Codes:
| Code | Operator |
| LP | RAF |
Location
| Country | Region | Sub-Region |
| United Kingdom | South West England | Somerset |
Address: Bristol Airport, Bristol, BS48 3DY, United Kingdom
Nearest Town/City: Bristol – airport is 7 miles (12 km) southwest.
| Latitude | Longitude | |
| Deg. Min. Sec. | N 51°22’58” | W 002°43’09” |
| Decimal | N 51.382669 | W 002.719089 |
Elevation: 190 m/622 ft
Google map to be added.
History
Name Changes
| Lulsgate Bottom RLG | 1940-1941 |
| RAF Broadfield Down | (not used) |
| RAF Lulsgate Bottom | 1942-1957 |
| Bristol Airport | 1957-Mar 1997 |
| Bristol International Airport | Mar 1997-Mar 2010 |
| Bristol Airport | Mar 2010-Present |
Narrative Summary
History to be added. RAF Station Code: LP.
More history to be added.
Key Dates
| Sept 1940 | Land acquired for possible airfield use | |
| 26 Sept 1940 | Relief Landing Group established near Lulsgate Bottom | |
| 10 June 1941 | Use as RLG ends | |
| 11 June 1941 | Work starts on constructing airfield buildings | |
| 2 July 1941 | Construction of main runway begins | |
| 24 July 1941 | Luftwaffe Ju 88 lands by mistake | |
| 15 Jan 1942 | RAF Lulsgate Bottom officially opened | |
| 24 Jan 1942 | First flying unit arrives | |
| Mar 1942 | Airfield facilities completed | |
| 1 June 1942 | Airfield passed from 10 Group to 23 Group | |
| 15 Sept 1945 | Battle of Britain air display | |
| 8 May 1946 | Airfield reduced to Care & Maintenance | |
| 1946 | Bristol Gliding Club starts using the site | |
| 1955 | Airfield sold to Bristol Corporation | |
| 1955 | Construction of airport facilities started | |
| 1956 | Bristol Gliding Club moves out | |
| 1 May 1957 | Bristol-Lulsgate Airport officially opened | |
| 1963 | Runway extended to 7,500 ft | |
| Mar 2000 | New larger passenger terminal opened |
Runways
| Direction | Length | Width | Surface | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metres (m) | Feet (ft) | Metres (m) | Feet (ft) | ||
| 09/27 | 2011 | 6598 | 46 | 151 | Paved |
Residents
The following organisations are, or were, permanently based at this location:
Based Military Units
| Unit | Operator | Arrived | Departed | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 286 Sqn | RAF | 24 Jan 1942 | 26 May 1942 | Target Facilities |
| No.3 Det. 116 Sqn | RAF | 26 Jan 1942 | 1 Mar 1942 | Target Facilities |
| 3 (P)AFU | RAF | Jun 1942 | 27 Sept 1943 | Pilot Training |
| 1540 BATF | RAF | 26 May 1942 | 6 Feb 1945 | Pilot Training |
| 3 FIS(A) | RAF | Sept 1943 | 18 Jul 1945 | QFI Training |
| OTU Flt. 7 FIS(A) | RAF | Feb 1945 | 7 May 1946 | QFI Training |
Based Civilian Operators
| Operator | Arrived | Departed | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol & Wessex Aeroplane Club | 1957 | 19?? | Private flying |
Photo Gallery
To be added.
More Information
Books
‘Somerset Airfields in the Second World’ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
‘The Military Airfields of Britain: South-Western England’ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
‘Action Stations Revisited Volume 4 South West England’ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
History of R.A.F.Lulsgate Bottom by Ian James (Redclifffe Press)
Magazines
Feature articles
Websites
wikipedia: Bristol International Airport
Bristol International Airport Enthusiasts Web Site
| Disclaimer: Information is provided on this page for historical purposes only, and not for aerial navigation. |
Re. the landing on 24th. July 1941 of the German JU88. There is at least one person still alive and living here in Australia who found the aircraft and tells the story that they (the crew) were not “mistaken” but were concientious objectors and landed there deliberately.
I think your history should record that on the 23rd. January 1943 a USAAF B17 #41-24579 aka “Thumper” belly landed at on what is now the Silver car park with the loss of one crewman.
Cheers