The Website for Aviation Enthusiasts
History
Used by the Escuela Nacional de Aviación.
Individual Details
| Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-9 | n/a | n/a | 1.1921 | burned at Toncontin 4.1924 |
Pictures
None at present.
More Information
References
Other Sources
To be added.
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 |
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. |