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RAF Shaluffa

Coordinates: 30°03′10″N 32°32′30″E / 30.05278°N 32.54167°E / 30.05278; 32.54167
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RAF Shaluffa
قاعدة شلوفة الجوية
Shaluffa, Suez Governorate in Egypt
Boeing Fortress I, 1941.
RAF Shaluffa is located in Egypt
RAF Shaluffa
RAF Shaluffa
Shown within Egypt
Coordinates30°03′10″N 32°32′30″E / 30.05278°N 32.54167°E / 30.05278; 32.54167
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byNear East Air Force
Site history
Built1941 (1941)
In use1941 - 1955 (1955)
Battles/warsMediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Runways
Direction Length and surface
N/S 2,273 metres (7,457 ft) Asphalt
NW/SE 1,371 metres (4,498 ft) Asphalt
NE/SW 1,143 metres (3,750 ft) Asphalt
E/W 1,143 metres (3,750 ft) Asphalt

Royal Air Force Shaluffa or more commonly RAF Shaluffa (LG-215) is a former Royal Air Force station located in Suez Governorate, Egypt.

History

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From 1942 - 1944, RAF Shaluffa hosted the No. 5 Middle East Torpedo School, and trained several Chinese aircrew. [1] The airfield had four asphalt runways and was operated by the Near East Air Force. The airfield later served as a British military base until 1955, when a ceremonial flag handover by Prime Minister Nasser was held. [2]

Layout

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The runways were lighted with electric cables. The airfield had an air traffic control tower, a 14-bed infirmary, shops and an administrative building. On-site was two installed steel hangars, a swimming pool, and a cinema.

For fueling purposes, Shaluffa had a capacity of 86,000 gallons of Aviation Gas and 28,920 gallons of jet fuel. While not related to the airfield, nearby was a speedway commonly used by the people who was stationed there. [3] [4]

Crashes

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On 21 February 1943, a Martin Marauder took off at Shaluffa to attack ships. However the aircraft was gunned down and six fatalities were reported.

On 12 January 1949, a four engine aircraft during training dived and crashed near the airfield with nine fatalities reported. The cause of this crash was a faulty right elevator that detached.[5]

On 22 October 1951, a de Havilland Vampire did a crash-landing on the runway in which the pilot was unfortunately killed. [6]

Units

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The following units based at RAF Shaluffa:[7]

Aircraft

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The following aircraft either operated or were commonly visited by at RAF Shaluffa

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ "The RAF and China: A Forgotten Alliance (Part 3)". RAF Museum Blog. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Return of the British military base Shalufa to the Egyptian army Prime Mininster Nasser handing over the flag". Getty Images. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  3. ^ Stevens, D. "RAF Shallufa". Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  4. ^ "Middle Eastern Airfield Report Volume 2 | Page 79" (PDF). apps.dtic.mil. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  5. ^ "Crash of a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings C.1 in Shallufa AFB: 9 killed | Shaluffa AFB". baaa-acro.com. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  6. ^ Brummell, P. "RAF Shallufa As Remembered By Peter Brummell". Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  7. ^ Taynton, Montague. "RAF Kasfareet". Canal Zoners. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Jefford 1988, p. 173.

Bibliography

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  • Jefford, C. G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.