Airfield Codes help

[ailiebird]

I am interested in the history of WW2 airfields, and have noticed when visiting these airfields that they have a 2 letter code on the ground (usually near the tower), for example Cranwell is CN. Does anyone know where I can get further information on these, like a list of current and past codes? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[BuckyOHare]

I googled it, but the search results were not very helpful - plenty of bits from reminiscing pages on geocites and stuff but no comprehensive list.

I can tell you that RAF Valley and Mona are VA and MN respectively

 

[Scaley brat]

I am interested in the history of WW2 airfields, and have noticed when visiting these airfields that they have a 2 letter code on the ground (usually near the tower), for example Cranwell is CN. Does anyone know where I can get further information on these, like a list of current and past codes? Thanks in advance for any help.

Wait till MAINJAFAD turns up dude, he is a veritable font of this kind of knowledge.

 

[mad_mo]

This might or might not help!

http://www.homepages.mcb.net/bones/06airfields/UK/Airfields_1.htm

 

[Tashy_Man]

Take a look at THIS site.

Looks like the code is from airfields pre WWII and are now the last 2 digits of a 4 digit code.

eg....Cranwell....X4CN - Cranwell North
Mona.........X7MN

I'm sure MJ will come up with a better explanation later.

Crack on...........DT_Xtremez_09:

Edit...Mad mo beat me to it cause bl00dy jehovah witnesses knocked on the door !!

 

[mad_mo]

Take a look at THIS site.

Tash, that's the same as my link above DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[Tashy_Man]

Tash, that's the same as my link above DT_Xtremez_30:

Just edited it with the reason why you beat me to it....grrrrrrrr

 

[Weebl]

Edit...Mad mo beat me to it cause bl00dy jehovah witnesses knocked on the door !!

Another patio extension?

 

[Tashy_Man]

Another patio extension?

Went to the door and it looked like the postie but as soon as i opened the door the tw@t was there showing me a copy of the watchtower....i just looked at him, laughed and then closed the door.....normally i like to string them along a bit but not early in the morning FFS !!

Crack on...............DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[J Y Kelly]

I am interested in the history of WW2 airfields, and have noticed when visiting these airfields that they have a 2 letter code on the ground (usually near the tower), for example Cranwell is CN. Does anyone know where I can get further information on these, like a list of current and past codes? Thanks in advance for any help.

What your on about is the Airfield Bigram, usually found near Air Traffic Control. In the past, about twenty years ago there would have been a Signal Square next to it. These would allow a pilot flying over the airfield a means to identify where they were and which runway was in use. There was loads of other stuff displayed on the Signal Square but time has dimmed my memory. The Airfield is also have an Identification Beacon which would flash in Morse code the two letters of the Airfield Bigram. The easiest way find out the letters that current airfields, Indent Beacons flash, is to obtain a copy of the British Isles and North Atlantic (BINA) Flight Information Publication. You may need to chat up the person in Flight Planning.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&h...-2.672368&spn=0.000689,0.001387&t=k&z=19&om=1

 

[ailiebird]

A lot of useful information there, thanks to all much appreciated

 

[pie sandwich]

Also depending on how much time you have on your hands, you could use google earth to find them and view them from above.

 

[MAINJAFAD]

Try the 'Action Stations' series of books on UK Military Airfields, If memory serves the Station ID is listed on the entry for each base, I lent the only one I had (No 1 East Angila) to somebody to do a force development thing and got posted before I got it back.