View source for RAF Chivenor

{{Short description|Former Royal Air Force station in Devon, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = RAF Chivenor
| ensign = File:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg
| ensign_size =
| native_name = 
| partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
| location = [[Braunton]], [[Devon]]
| country = England
| image = File:British Aerospace Hawk T1, UK - Air Force AN1574817.jpg
| alt = A BAE Hawk T1 of No. 151 Squadron which was based at RAF Chivenor between 1981 and 1992.
| caption = A [[BAE Systems Hawk|BAE Hawk T1]] of [[No. 151 Squadron RAF|No. 151 Squadron]] which was based at RAF Chivenor between 1981 and 1992.
| image2 = <!--secondary image, major command emblems for airfields -->
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| type = [[List of former Royal Air Force stations|Royal Air Force station]]
| coordinates = {{coord|51|05|14|N|004|09|01|W|type:airport_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Devon#UK
| pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Devon
| pushpin_label_position = top
| ownership = [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]
| operator = [[Royal Air Force]]
| controlledby = [[RAF Coastal Command]]<br />* [[No. 17 Group RAF]]<br />* [[No. 19 Group RAF]]{{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=64}}
| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities - radar types etc -->  
| site_area = 222 hectares
| code = <!--facility/installation code -->
| built = {{Start date|1940}}
| used = 1940–{{End date|1995}}
| builder = 
| materials = 
| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
| fate = Transferred to the [[Royal Marines]] and became [[RM Chivenor|RMB Chivenor]].
| condition = Closed
| battles = [[European theatre of World War II]]<br />[[Cold War]] 
| events = 
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison = <!-- such as the 25th Bombardment Group -->
| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->
| website = 
| footnotes = <!-- catchall in case it's needed to preserve something in infobox that doesn't work in new code -->
<!-- begin airfield information  -->
| IATA = 
| ICAO = EGDC
| FAA = 
| TC = 
| LID = 
| GPS = 
| WMO = 03707
| elevation = {{Convert|5|m|0}}{{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=64}}
| r1-number = 10/28
| r1-length = {{Convert|1,833|m|0}}
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| r2-number = 00/00 Wartime
| r2-length = <!-- {{Convert||m|0}} -->
| r2-surface = Concrete
| r3-number = 00/00 Wartime
| r3-length = <!-- {{Convert||m|0}} -->
| r3-surface = Concrete
| h1-number = 
| h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
| h1-surface = 
| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->
<!--  end airfield information   -->
}}
'''Royal Air Force Chivenor''', or more simply '''RAF Chivenor''', {{Airport codes||EGDC}} is a former [[Royal Air Force station]] located on the northern shore of the [[River Taw]] estuary, on the north coast of [[Devon]], [[England]]. The nearest towns are [[Barnstaple]] and [[Braunton]].

Originally a civil airfield opened in the 1930s, the site was taken over by the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) in May 1940 for use as a [[RAF Coastal Command]] Station. After the [[World War II|Second World War]], the station was largely used for training, particularly weapons training. During the 1950s and 1960s, [[No. 229 Operational Conversion Unit RAF]] (229 OCU) used [[Hawker Hunter]] aircraft for training. In 1974 the station was left on "care and maintenance", though [[No. 624 Volunteer Gliding Squadron]] (624 VGS) continued to fly from there. The RAF returned in 1979, forming 2 Tactical Weapons Unit (2 TWU) which flew [[BAE Systems Hawk]]s, from 1979 until the unit was renamed as [[No. 7 Flying Training School RAF]] (7 FTS) in 1992. In 1994, 7 FTS left Chivenor, merging with [[No. 4 Flying Training School RAF]] (4 FTS) at [[RAF Valley]], and the airfield was handed over to the [[Royal Marines]]. The Marines have an existing equipment testing base at [[RM Instow]], in [[Instow]], located across the [[River Taw|Taw]] Estuary and approximately two miles from Chivenor.

[[No. 22 Squadron RAF]] (22 Sqn) operated a Search and Rescue flight at Chivenor from 1956, flying [[Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)|Westland Whirlwind]], [[Westland Wessex]] and [[Westland Sea King]] helicopters. In a spending review that was announced over the summer of 2004, the presence of 22 Squadron at Chivenor was under review. After the [[2004 Boscastle flood|flooding at Boscastle]], this threat was rescinded. "A" flight of 22 Squadron was disbanded in October 2015, with the search and rescue role being assumed by [[Bristow Helicopters]] on behalf of [[Her Majesty's Coastguard]].

In 1995, the site became [[RM Chivenor|Royal Marines Base Chivenor]] primarily used by [[3 Commando Brigade]].

==Etymology==
The name ''Chivenor'' is first attested in 1285, as ''Chivenore''. This is thought to originate in [[Old English]] as a personal name, ''Cifa'', in its [[genitive case|genitive]] form ''Cifan'', combined with the Old English word ''ōra''  ('flat-topped ridge'). Thus the name once meant 'Cifa's flat-topped ridge'. The ridge in question runs from west to east along the north bank of the [[River Taw]], from [[Heanton Punchardon]] to [[Tutshill Wood]] on the northern fringe of [[Barnstaple]]. Like Heanton Punchardon, RM Chivenor lies at the west end of the ridge.<ref>''The Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-Names, Based on the Collections of the English Place-Name Society'', ed. by Victor Watts (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004), s.v. ''Chivenor''.</ref>

== History ==

=== Founding ===
In February 1940 the [[Air Ministry]] constructed an aerodrome on the site of Chivenor farm near a civilian airfield. RAF Chivenor opened on 25 October 1940 within No. 17 Group, [[Coastal Command]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/stations.cfm?selectStation=9DFA3197-CC2D-F801-E458387013F4C49D|title=RMB Chivenor|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044346/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/stations.cfm?selectStation=9DFA3197-CC2D-F801-E458387013F4C49D|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> There were two units based there initially, [[No. 3 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF]]<ref name="RAFWEBOTU">{{cite web|url=http://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/OTU_1.htm|title=No 3 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit|publisher=Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation|accessdate=9 February 2016}}</ref> and [[No. 252 Squadron RAF]], both operating [[Bristol Beaufighter]]s, [[Bristol Blenheim]]s and [[Bristol Beaufort]]s.<ref name="Jefford">{{cite book|title=RAF Squadrons|author=C.G.Jefford|date=1988|publisher=UK Airlife Publishing|isbn=1-85310-053-6}}</ref>

=== 1942–1945 ===
From 1942 onward the role of Chivenor was changed from training to anti-submarine patrolling. From 1942 to 1943 the squadron flew the [[Armstrong Whitworth Whitley]], then in 1943 the Chivenor squadron converted to the [[Vickers Wellington]] equipped with the [[air-to-surface-vessel radar|ASV radar]] and [[Leigh light]]s.

; November 1941 to September 1943
: [[No. 51 Squadron RAF]]: (51 Sqn) Whitleys<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno51squadron.cfm|title=No. 51 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044309/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno51squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
: [[No. 77 Squadron RAF]]: (77 Sqn) Whitleys / Wellingtons<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno77squadron.cfm|title=No. 77 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044523/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno77squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
: [[No. 502 Squadron RAuxAF|No. 502 (Ulster) Squadron AAF]]: (502 Sqn) Whitleys / Wellingtons<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/502squadron.cfm|title=No. 502 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044353/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/502squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
: [[No. 1417 Flight RAF|No. 1417 (Leigh Light Trials) Flight]]: (1417 Flt) Wellington Leigh light training and development unit<ref name="raf172">{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/172squadron.cfm|title=No. 172 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044456/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/172squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
; July 1942 to September 1943
: [[No. 235 Squadron RAF]]: (235 Sqn) Beaufighters<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/235squadron.cfm|title=No. 235 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121103434/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/235squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
: [[No. 236 Squadron RAF]]: (236 Sqn) Beaufighters<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/236squadron.cfm|title=No. 236 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044445/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/236squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
: [[No. 248 Squadron RAF]]: (248 Sqn) Beaufighters<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/248squadron.cfm|title=No. 248 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121043417/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/248squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
; September 1943 to the end of the war
: [[No. 172 Squadron RAF]]: (172 Sqn) Wellingtons<ref name="raf172" />
: [[407 Long Range Patrol Squadron|No. 407 Squadron RCAF]]: (407 Sqn) Wellingtons<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/ww2/allied/royalairforce/sqdview.php?pid=558|title=No. 407 (Demon) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force|publisher=Wartime Memories Project|accessdate=20 November 2016}}</ref>
: [[No. 612 Squadron RAuxAF|No. 612 (County of Aberdeen) Squadron AAF]]: (612 Sqn) Wellingtons<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/612squadron.cfm|title=No. 612 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044351/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/612squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
: [[No. 304 Polish Bomber Squadron]]: (304 Sqn) Wellingtons<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno304squadron.cfm|title=No. 304 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044521/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno304squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
; Plan for post war 1945
: [[No. 14 Squadron RAF]] (14 Sqn)<ref name="raf14">{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/14squadron.cfm|title=No. 14 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006184824/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/14squadron.cfm|archive-date=6 October 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
: [[No. 36 Squadron RAF]] (36 Sqn)<ref name="raf36">{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/36squadron.cfm|title=No. 36 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044432/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/36squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In November 1941 the structure of the base changed with three new squadrons 51, 77 and 502 flying a mixture of Whitleys and Wellingtons, and one new flight, 1417, that was used to training crews on the Leigh light and radar Wellingtons. In July 1942 three squadrons of Beaufighter were located at Chivenor to offer long range protection in the [[Bay of Biscay]]. By September 1943 all of the Whitleys had been taken out of active service at Chivenor, and four squadrons of Wellingtons, 172, 407, 612 and 304, were located at the base. No 172 was the Wellington Training Squadron, taking over from 1417 Flight. The base had personnel from Canada, Poland and the UK. The Plan for the post war, was for Chivenor to become a full-time anti-submarine wing with two squadron's 14 and 36 Squadron.<ref name="raf14" /><ref name="raf36" />

=== 1946—1949 ===
After the Second World War ended, the future of the station was not certain. In 1946 a group of miscellaneous meteorological and anti-aircraft units moved to Chivenor, including [[Handley Page Halifax|Handley Page Halifaxes]] of Nos [[No. 517 Squadron RAF|517]] and [[No. 521 Squadron RAF|521]] Squadrons which flew 10-hour sorties to collect weather information. At the same time the station played host to No 248 Squadron ([[de Havilland Mosquito]]es), No 254 Squadron (Beaufighters), and the [[Supermarine Spitfire]]s and [[Miles Martinet]]s of No 691 Squadron, Army Air Corps. In October 1946, [[No. 11 Group RAF]] [[RAF Fighter Command|Fighter Command]] took command of the station with No. 203 Advanced Flying School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/1995-1012-A-Spitfire-XVI-RW393.pdf|title=Supermarine Spitfire|publisher=RAF Museum|accessdate=20 November 2016}}</ref> This lasted until July 1949 when the station was transferred to 5 and 7 Squadrons, Army Air Corps and No. 1 Overseas Ferry Unit. This latter unit had the duties to ferry [[Gloster Meteor]]s, [[de Havilland Vampire]]s and Mosquitoes to the Middle East and the Far East.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aircrew-saltire.org/lib217.htm|title=Better Than Working - A Life Of Service|publisher=Scottish Saltire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503141504/http://www.aircrew-saltire.org/lib217.htm|archive-date=3 May 2013|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== 1950—1974 ===
In February 1950 the Chivenor station flight was formed with [[de Havilland Tiger Moth]]s. It was at this time that post-war civilian flying restarted, with Wrafton flying club later changing its name to the Puffin flying club. At this time the RAF was operating as No. 229 Operational Conversion Unit which flew Vampires and Meteors. Then in mid 1955 the first of the [[Hawker Hunter]] operational conversion courses was started: flying was still mainly on the Vampire FB5 with approximately 20 hrs on the Hunter F1 before pilots were sent to their operational squadrons. During the next two years the Vampires were phased out and the course became all Hunter once the Hunter T7, a two-seater trainer version, became available. There were 2 squadrons called simply 1 and 2, each capable of training a student from conversion to operational and weaponry training. Operational Units were 229 OCU, consisting of 2 squadrons and Chivenor Station Flight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4102289|title=No. 229 OCU, Chivenor|publisher=National Archives|accessdate=20 November 2016}}</ref>
[[File:Sea.king.northdevon.arp.750pix.jpg|thumb|Sea King helicopter of 22 Squadron]]
In May 1957 the RAF exercise 'Vigilant' changed Chivenor's Squadrons' status. They assumed a wartime reserve role and were renumbered as Nos 145 and 234 Squadrons. The squadrons were now flying the Hunter F4 and T7 until the F4 was replaced by the F6. The two squadrons were numbered and then renumbered until they became 63 (Reserve) and 79 (Reserve) Squadrons, tasked with training RAF fighter pilots. Hunter FR.10 fighter reconnaissance aircraft were also flown by 229 OCU in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In March 1967 the [[oil tanker]] {{SS|Torrey Canyon||2}} ran aground on [[Seven Stones Reef]] near [[Lands End]], [[Oil spill|spilling oil]]. For three days, Hunters from Chivenor and other bases fired training rockets at the ship to hole it below the [[waterline]], before bombing it with high explosives and [[napalm]] in an unsuccessful effort to burn off the oil.&nbsp;<ref name="BBCR4100508">[[BBC Radio 4]] - [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s7qsj Saturday Live - Tim Farrow], 8 May 2010</ref> The final Hunter unit based at Chivenor was the Singapore Operational Training Flight. In 1974, 229 OCU was transferred to [[RAF Brawdy]] and the station was put into a rebuilding programme. It was in June 1957 that a new chapter in Chivenor's story started with the arrival of 'E' Flight 275 Squadron with their [[Bristol Sycamore]] HR14s on search and rescue duties. In 1958 'E' Flight changed to 'A' Flight 22 Squadron, which has over 50 years of twenty-four-hour search and rescue experience operating from Chivenor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/22Squadron.cfm|title=No. 22 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121103431/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/22Squadron.cfm|archivedate=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Hawks at RAF Chivenor ===
In 1979 the RAF rebuilding programme ended and the station was reactivated, hosting 2 TWU, flying [[BAE Systems Hawk|British Aerospace Hawk]] T1's with [[No. 63 Squadron RAF]] (63(R))<ref name="raf632">{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/63squadron.cfm|title=No. 63 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121103605/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/63squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and [[No. 151 Squadron RAF]] (151(R)) squadrons, training fast jet pilots and navigators.<ref name="raf1512">{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/151squadron.cfm|title=No. 151 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044047/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/151squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 1992, the government's options for change defence review resulted in the structure of the station changing with 2 TWU being re-designated as [[No. 7 Flying Training School RAF]] (7 FTS), the squadrons changing identities from 63(R) and 151(R) to [[No. 19 Squadron RAF]] (19(R))<ref name="raf192">{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/19squadron.cfm|title=No. 19 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194519/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/19squadron.cfm|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and [[No. 92 Squadron RAF]] (92(R)).<ref name="raf922">{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/92squadron.cfm|title=No. 92 Squadron|publisher=RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044512/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/92squadron.cfm|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead|accessdate=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 7 FTS operated in conjunction with [[No. 4 Flying Training School RAF]] (4 FTS) at [[RAF Valley]], as the so-called Mirror Image Training Course which lasted for three years until 1995. when the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] (MOD) announced that RAF Chivenor would close, which it did on 1 October 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/raf-chivenor-s-fascinating-past-unearthed-in-new-book/story-29685179-detail/story.html|title=RAF Chivenor's fascinating past unearthed in new book|date=5 September 2016|publisher=Plymouth Herald|accessdate=20 November 2016}}{{dead link|date=April 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

== Operational Units ==

=== 1979-1992 ===

; 2 TWU
: [[No. 63(R) Squadron RAF]]<ref name="raf632"/>
: [[No. 151(R) Squadron RAF]]<ref name="raf1512"/>

=== 1992-1995 ===

; 7 FTS
: [[No. 19(R) Squadron RAF]]<ref name="raf192"/>
: [[No. 92(R) Squadron RAF]]<ref name="raf922"/>

== Post-RAF use ==
{{Main|RM Chivenor}}
From 1 October 1995 onwards, the Royal Marines took control of the base, it being renamed Royal Marines Base Chivenor (RMB Chivenor) and is home to the [[Commando Logistic Regiment|Commando Logistics Regiment, Royal Marines]]<ref name="clr">{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/royal-marines/3-commando-brigade/commando-logistic-regiment|title=Commando Logistic Regiment|publisher=Royal Navy|accessdate=20 November 2016}}</ref> and [[24 Commando Regiment (United Kingdom)|24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers]].<ref name="24comm">{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/units/28645.aspx|title=24 Commando Engineer Regiment|publisher=British Army|accessdate=20 November 2016}}</ref>

The airfield is still an operational airfield used by the [[Royal Navy]], Royal Marines and RAF as well as [[No. 624 Volunteer Gliding Squadron RAF]] (624 VGS) operating [[Grob Vigilant T1]] motor gliders, providing flights for the [[Air Training Corps]] and [[Combined Cadet Force]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chivenor.flyer.co.uk/|title=624 Volunteer Gliding Squadron|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123034839/http://www.chivenor.flyer.co.uk/|archivedate=23 January 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
*{{cite book |last1=Falconer|first1=J.|title=RAF Airfields of World War 2 |year=2012 |publisher= Ian Allan Publishing|location= UK|isbn=978-1-85780-349-5}}

{{Royal Air Force}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chivenor}}
[[Category:Military history of Devon]]
[[Category:Military history of Barnstaple]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations in Devon|Chivenor]]
[[Category:Military airbases established in 1940]]
[[Category:Military airbases closed in 1995]]