Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Plymouth Roborough Airport
Hob Uid: 1024168
Location : City of Plymouth Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : SX5030060300
Summary : A former military airfield in World War II, now a civil airport for Plymouth. It opened in 1931 as a civilian grass airfield built on a former polo ground and adjacent fields. During World War Two it was cheifly used by Coastal Command. Initially the Admiralty was the controlling body; however it was also used by 247 Squadron, of 10 Group Royal Air Force Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. Then in 1942 the Air Ministry took over making the airfield a satellite of Mount Batten. The wartime airfield remained grass surfaced, and utilized existing civillian hangars with the addition of a blister aircraft hangar. In 1946 the site became a civil airport, although from 1961 there has been use of the airport by the Britannia Royal Naval College Air Experience Flight. From 1967-1972 the Royal Marines also used the site for helicopters and installed a new hangar. In the 1960s, 70s and 80s the airport facilities were enhanced.
More information : SX 502 602 (GCE) A rapid examination of air photography (1a) shows Plymouth airport with apparent elements of the military facilities still visible, including the probable remains of an E-type fighter pen (SX 5027 6067) as well as other buildings around SX 502 601 (now demolished to make way for a college (1b)). (1) Roborough airfield was requisitioned at the start of World War II by the Admiralty. It was used by both the RAF and the Army, with Gladiators, Hurricanes, Lysanders and other aircraft operating from the field. The airfield was transfered to Air Ministry control in May 1942. The airfield remained in use throughout the war. Civil flying resumed in 1946. The source notes the later development of the airport and of the continuing involvemnt of the armed forces.(2) Roborough Airield, Deveon, SX 503 605. The wartime airfield was grass surfaced. It utilzed the existing civillian hangarage and also a blister aircraft hangar. (3)

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Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : Andrew Miller/01-SEP-1995/RCHME: AP Primary Recording Project
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Source Number : 1a
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Source details : NMR, SX 5060/1-2
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Source Number : 1b
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Source details : OS 1:10000 1982
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Action Stations No.5, military airfields of the southwest. C. Ashworth, 1990. Patrick Stephens.
Page(s) : 159-162
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Source Number : 3
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Page(s) : 166
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Opened 1931
Monument End Date : 1931
Monument Start Date : 1931
Monument Type : Airfield, Aircraft Hangar
Evidence : Structure, Extant Building

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Additions 1960-1989
Monument End Date : 1989
Monument Start Date : 1960
Monument Type : Civil Airport
Evidence : Structure

Monument Period Name : Mid 20th Century
Display Date : 1946 civillian use
Monument End Date : 1946
Monument Start Date : 1946
Monument Type : Civil Airport
Evidence : Structure

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : Adapted for military use
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1939
Monument Type : Military Airfield, Blister Aircraft Hangar
Evidence : Structure, Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Late 20th Century
Display Date : 1967 addition
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date : 1967
Monument Type : Aircraft Hangar
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SX 56 SW 35
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Start Date : 1992-01-01
End Date : 1996-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 2009-01-01
End Date : 2009-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Plymouth Roborough Airport