31 January 1946 to Care & Maintenance on books of 'Nile'
CLOSED
FUNCTION
Fleet Requirements Unit.
Accommodation for disembarked
units.
Night flying training.
Torpedo facilities.
ADDRESS
R.N. Air Station,
Dekhelia,
Egypt..
LOCALITY
The airfield, 3 miles SW. of the outskirts of
Alexandria, is situated at El Dekhelia on a narrow strip
of land between lake Maryut and the sea.
The coastal
road and railway from Alexandria form the SE. boundary.
LANDMARKS
The town and two harbours of Alexandria.
El Agami I.
and adjacent promontory, 11/2 miles W. and Lake Maryut
to the S. and S.E.
A railway embankment , running N/S., crosses Lake
Maryut 2 miles E. of the airfield.
ROAD AND RAIL ACCESS
Access by road and rail to Alexandria, where there are
extensive port facilities.
The distance to El Gabbari
station, Alexandria, is 6 miles (R).
CONTROL
Control Building on W. of landing area, inside the
perimeter track.
ELEVATION
20' above M.S.L.
RUNWAYS /LANDING AREA
Four, tarmac, all-weather. Off the runways, sand and
grass, unserviceable at all times.
04/22 QDM. 036°/216° .... 980 X 75 yds.
07/25 QDM. 070°/250° .... 1050 X 75 yds.
13/31 QDM. 127°/307° .... 1030 X 75 yds.
17/35 QDM. 175°/355° .... 1100 X 80 yds.
Note: Runway 07/25 extends another 150 yds. at its
"25" end, in the form of an apron.
TRACKS
A 50' perimeter track connects the western ends of the
runways. There is no perimeter track on the E. side, but
road intersecting tracks connect the runways with each
other.
OBSTRUCTIONS
Navigation:
None.
Circuit:
None.
Approach:
E. Old Control Tower in direct line and Minaret,
104' distant 550 yds. from "25" end of runway 07/25;
also large hangar alongside port "25" of runway 07/25.
"White Horn" mark, 79' distant 1000 yds. from "31" end
of runway 13/31.
NE. 80' masts 400 yds. from
"31" end of runway 13/31.
SE. Railway embankment, 24', distant 200 yds. from
"31" end of runway 13/31.
APPROACH
Recommended sector of approach, means QDM 150°
WIND INDICATOR
Windsock, on N. of landing area.
HOMING-VISUAL
By day:
By night:
None
None
HOMING--RADIO
D/F: Beacon:
None
None
APPROACH-VISUAL
By day:
None
By night:
Flare-path, Chance light. (Flare-path is of Glim lamps,
prior notice necessary if required)
APPROACH-RADIO
None.
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
W/T and R/T:
VH/F:
1 transmitter, 1 receiver.
1 transmitter, 1 receiver.
GROUND RADAR
None.
ACCOMMODATION
Living quarters on NW. corner of the
airfield, adjacent W. of workshop area.
Capacity:
Officers:
140
Chiefs, P.O.s and ratings:
250
W.R.N.S. Officers:
2
W.R.N.S. Chiefs, P.O.s and ratings;
22
With tents 200 Officers and 1500 ratings.
ARMOURIES
To accommodate four squadrons.
COMPASS BASE
One, diameter 70'
DISPERSAL
12 double and 8 single A/C pens dispersed around the
landing area.
A large dispersal apron (480 x 50 yds.),
on the W. side of the airfield, connects to the
perimeter track and runways.
HANGARS
On the N. side of the airfield.
Number /Type
Size
Door Height
Door Width
1 (type n/k)
220' x 110'
30'
90'
1 (type n/k)
200' x 170'
30'
162'
1 (type n/k)
100' x 90'
24'
90'
1 (type n/k)
126' x 95'
24'
95'
MEDICAL
Sick Bay on NW. corner of airfield.
R.N. Hospital at Alexandria.
METEOROLOGICAL
Air Ministry provide facilities.
The weather is
generally good.
Prevalent winds : NW. strong S. winds prevail
from January to April, and sandstorms are liable to
occur at this time, with gales reaching force 8-11.
FUEL AND OIL
Aviation:
six 1,500 gallon storage tanks; all
grades,. Four bowsers.
M/T:
1000 gallon tank.
Oil :
No bulk storage (500 gallons held in 40 gallon
drums)
TEST BASE
None
TEST BUTT
Two (one temporary type) and 25 yd. range available.
WORKSHOPS
Fairly extensive worship facilities.
Facilities exist
for 4 squadrons up to and including major repairs.
BOMBING AND FIRING RANGES
Air-to-Air:
A, B, C, D, lines.
Air-to-Ground:
Live and practice range at Giamaolis.
Information taken from CB 4368 B. Admiralty Handbook
of Naval Air Stations Aug. 45
List of first and second line squadrons,
station flight and other flying units based at this
location
Can anyone explain why No.255 Squadron moved into Gianaclis, in the middle of nowhere, rather than taking over this facility in January 1946 when they quit Hal Far?
Reply
