"No brakes" runway in UK?

OpanaPointer · #1 (**permalink**) November 10th, 2009, 01:46 PM

From another forum:

Quote:

I vaguely recall my Dad telling me about a runway which was used during the war for large bombers whose brakes had been damaged, and was miles-long to allow them room to lose speed. I seem to recall he also said this runway was a back-up emergency runway for the Shuttle, so it's probably the one you're talking about, but I think it is in East Anglia, not Kent (I may be wrong).

Any clues? Is this RAF Fairford?

RAF Fairford - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Not conclusive, according to the poster.)

sniper1946 · #2 (**permalink**) November 10th, 2009, 03:52 PM

fairford is in gloucestershire,hope this helps opana,ray.. Ministry of Defence | About Defence | Organisation | Key Facts about Defence | Did you know.....

Fred Wilson · #3 (**permalink**) November 10th, 2009, 04:23 PM

There were several but the biggest and best known was
The RAF Manston History Museum

Also Woodbridge in Suffolk http://www.controltowers.co.uk/W-Z/Woodbridge.htm and Carnaby in Yorkshire.

One of the worst minutes at Woodbridge is recorded in "A Thousand Shall Fall" by Murray Peden. http://books.google.ca/books?id=zVbh...age&q=&f=false
(See the chapter on Gelsenkirchen)
" I consider it not only the best and most true to life 'war' book I've read about this war, but the best about all the wars of my lifetime."
- Marshall of the Royal Air Force, Sir Arthur Harris.

sniper1946 · #4 (**permalink**) November 10th, 2009, 04:27 PM

raf fairford in gloucestershire was the shuttle backup runway fred,ray..

OpanaPointer · #5 (**permalink**) November 10th, 2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Wilson

There were several but the biggest and best known was
The RAF Manston History Museum

Also Woodbridge in Suffolk RAF Woodbridge airfield and Carnaby in Yorkshire.

One of the worst minutes at Woodbridge is recorded in "A Thousand Shall Fall" by Murray Peden.
" I consider it not only the best and most true to life 'war' book I've read about this war, but the best about all the wars of my lifetime."
- Marshall of the Royal Air Force, Sir Arthur Harris.

Thanks!