Whilst on holiday in Cornwall last week, I seized on the opportunity to visit RNAS Culdrose and Predannack to view the FAA at work. Culdrose was rather quiet due to the annual summer block leave, but this was more than compensated by a close up inspection of some of the wrecks and relics at the FAA Fire School at nearby RNAS Predannack - Culdrose's satellite and RLG.
For those unfamiliar with the site, Predannack lies about 6 miles south of Culdrose on the Lizard peninsula. It occupies some 780 acres of rough heathland and was opened in May 1941 originally as a satellite for RAF Portreath. It's wartime service saw it cccupied by numerous RAF units including 247 Sqn Hurricanes, 263 Sqn Whirlwinds, 264 Sqn Mosquito NF IIs, 141 Sqn Beaufighters, 1 and 165 Sqn Spitfires IXs, Wellingtons of 311 (Czech) Sqn and 1457 Flt Havocs. The base's position in the extreme south-west made it ideal as a launch pad for anti-shipping operations, as a stopping off point for missions/deployments to North Africa, and for emergency landings for aircraft returning from missions over the Atlantic.
Post WWII the base reverted to care and maintenance status but was brought back to life briefly in the early 1950s by Barnes Wallis and the Vickers team who were to conduct variable geometry trials on site under the Wild Goose programme. The base was again abandoned in October 1954, only to reopen 4 years later as a relief landing ground for RNAS Culdrose. In the early 1970s the RN Fire Fighting School arrived on the airfield and thus began a long time hosting of various time expired airframes for fire and rescue practice. Also currently resident is 626 VGS which operates 5 x Viking T.1 gliders for ATC/CCF air experience and glider training.
Very little of RNAS Predananck can be seen from the roads outside the base, so the best option to get a closer view is to take the coastal footpath from Kynance Cove. From the delightful sandy beaches at Kynance Cove it is necessary to climb the steep and jaggd path leading to the cliff tops, and from there take an approximate 1.5 mile walk towards Mullion. The coastal path goes right past the western perimeter of the base where the dumped wrecks can be easily seen from the adjacent bridleway. Although there is no perimeter fence as such, if you are planning to visit, for your safety I would recommend going when there are not likely to be any helicopter activities such as at weekends or during block leave.
For the record, the current inhabitants of the FAA Fire School are: Canberra B(I)6 WT308 (ex DARA/ETPS); Dominie T1 XS738/U; Harrier GR3s XV753, XV783, XZ969 and ZD667; Harrier T4s XW271 and XZ145; Jaguar T4 XX845; Jetstream T2 fuselage XX479; Sea Harrier F/A2 ZD581; Sea King HAS5 XZ570; Wessex HAS1 XS885 (ex 771 NAS), Wessex HAS3 XP137 and Wessex HU5 XS520.
As you will see from the pictures below, many of these frames are now in a state of advanced deterioration which is very sad, but at least it is good to be able to see up close a number of types which have now disappeared from active military service.
A couple of views of Dominie T1 XS738/U 'Lima'.
Canberra B(I)6 WT308
Harriers abound at Predananck including GR3 XV753 (top) and T4 XW271 (below)
Cab of Sea King HAS.5 (XZ570)
Wessex assortment. From top HAS1 XS885(DD512); HAS.3 XP137 (centre); and HU.5 XS520/P (bottom)
Latest arrival is ex DCAE (and formerly 6 Sqn) Jaguar T.4 XX845
Thanks for looking, C&C always welcome.
Mark
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