Flying from Dunkeswell Airfield

Saturday, May 7th, 2022 at Dunkeswell Airfield.

There is a lot to do around Dunkeswell Airfield. You don't have to get in the air. There is the Nigel Mansell Raceway, The airfield memorial, and a couple of miles to the Northeast, the Smeatharp Banger and Stock Car Racing Stadium. Join me for an aerial view. Also, if you are into flying without an engine, the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club has its base a mile to the Southwest.

Join me for an aerial view.

The Airfield

Layed out high in the Blackdown Hills, RAF Dunkeswell became operational in 1943, during the Second World War. While initially planned as an RAF fighter station and then as a Coastal Command airfield, it was first used by the American United States Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command, the 479th Antisubmarine Group. They used it as a base of operations to fly antisubmarine missions over the Bay of Biscay until November 1943.

With the departure of the Americans, the RAF used the airfield from August 1945 to April 1946 for ferrying aircraft to the Middle East by 16 Ferry Unit, RAF Transport Command. After September 1946 the station was put on care and maintenance status until the end of 1948 when it was sold by the Ministry of Defence.

On 19th November 1951 No. 208 Advanced Flying School was formed at Merryfield with Vampire T.ll and Meteor T.7s. Dunkeswell, about 15 miles to the South West was used as a satellite airfield from 1952 until 1955.

During the 1960s an RAF Radar Tracking unit was based at Dunkeswell. The Control Tower was used for accommodation.

In March 1966 Captain J N A Goldsworthy, Royal Marines founded the Royal Marines Parachute Club, which in later years became known as RN&RM Sport Parachuting Association. From 1966, the control tower was used as the clubhouse.

Today the Airfield is an active Private Airfield operated by Air Westward Ltd Devon & Somerset Flying School.

The representation in the video shows Superspud's excellent upgrade of the airfield.

It is available as a free download, here.

Local Landmarks

Once in the air, the disused RAF Upottery can be seen about a mile to the North East. The Smeatharp banger racing stadium is on the western end of the main runway.

On the northern edge of Dunkeswell Airfield, the Nigel Mansell Raceway is clearly visible.

Less than a mile to the West is the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club.

To the South lies Hembury Fort. It lies at the end of a spur projecting boldly southward from the main plateau of the Blackdown Hills and is defended and protected on three sides by steep natural slopes, leaving only the narrow neck of level land on the north.

What remains of the earthworks are of an Iron Age hillfort overlying the remains of a Neolithic causewayed enclosure.

The Aircraft

First flown in 1959, the Pilatus PC-6 Porter was produced at Pilatus Flugzeugwerke in Stans, Switzerland. It has been built in both piston engine- and turboprop-powered versions, and was produced under licence for a time by Fairchild Hiller in the United States.

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Capacity: up to 1,130 kg (2,491 lb)
Length: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
Wingspan: 15.87 m (52 ft 1 in)
Empty weight: 1,270 kg (2,800 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2,800 kg (6,173 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop engine, 410 kW (550 hp) 
Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed reversible propeller

Performance

Maximum speed: 232 km/h (144 mph, 125 kn) [64]
Cruise speed: 213 km/h (132 mph, 115 kn)
Stall speed: 96 km/h (60 mph, 52 kn)
Never exceed speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
Range: 730 km (450 mi, 390 nmi) with maximum payload
Ferry range: 1,612 km (1,002 mi, 870 nmi) with maximum internal and underwing fuel
Service ceiling: 8,197 m (26,893 ft)
Wing loading: 93 kg/m2 (19 lb/sq ft)

Do you have narrated YouTube videos of simulator flights from UK airfields? Send me a link or post it in the comments. I'll add those I like to this site.