RAF Ibsley, Hampshire Airfield Site

Record Airfield Site Plan Drg. No.2364/45 dated 1945 showing every building, roadway, aircraft dispersals and runways.
The dispersed or living sites will be on another page.
US Airfield No. 347.
1 x Station HQ Moyles Court.
1 x Control Tower PB. 518/40. Yellow.
1 x Watch Office. TB. 17658/40.
2 x Bellman hangars. Red.
9 x Over Blister Hangars. Red.
1 x Enlarged Over Blister hangar. Red
10 x Aircraft Pen (single engine) 11070/40. Green
8 x Aircraft Pen (twin engine). Green
2 x Bulk Petrol Installation (Aviation) 24,000gal 13083/41. Blue
1 x Battle Head Quarters 11008/41.

Quite an early air photo, many of the instillations have not been built. The first Watch Office TB. 177608/40 is there. Several fighter pens have started to be built and the runways seem in place.

A 1942 Photo Reconnaissance Units training photo.

Here more buildings have been built, runways have been camouflaged, one Bellman hangar has been built in the south, the eastern one is just the foundation. Bellman hangars were a late 1930's design for aerodromes using training and fighter aircraft. Many Blister hangars are in place. The idea of a Blister hangar is to park a fighter/training aircraft under cover for general servicing.

Control Tower.

I will start at the lovely control tower a 518/40.

Control Tower.

The view looking west from the hill, somewhere around the battle HQ.

Control Tower
A very good Sim layout of the control tower and all its sundry buildings.
    7 -- Technical Latrine TB. 17021/40.
    9 -- Control Tower PB. 518/40.
  10 -- Briefing Room.
  11 -- Flood Light & Tractor Shed TB. 8266/41.
  12 -- N.F.E. Store TB. 8266/41. (Night Flying Equipment)
140 - Fire Tender Shelter TB. 83266/41.
149 - Bellman Hangar.
PB.= Permanent Brick.

TB. = Temporary Brick.

9 -- Control Tower. PB. 518/40.

A very large CT with exceptional wide upper windows, a large balcony and there would be a set of steel stairs up to the balcony level outside.

Control Tower.

Downstairs was the watch office.

Plan ground floor.

Control Tower.

Building in the background possibly 141 - Lubrication & Inflammable Store TB.

Upper floor 518/40.

Control Tower.

Pity it is sealed up and not a museum?? This could all change as I believe its now been bought by the Landmark Trust to restore as a holiday destination.

It has been bought by the Landmark Trust and will/is being refurbished as a holiday destination.

Control Tower
Side entrance with: -
Left rear window - Duty Pilots Rest Room.
Two left small windows - Airmen´s Lavatories.
Two right windows - Officers Lavatories.
Large front window - Watch Office.
First floor: -
Left rear window - Met Officers Bedroom.
Next - Control Officers Rest Room.
The large windows - Control Room.
These windows could fold right back and you could walk out onto th balcony.

Control Tower.

Landing with : -

Right - Store room, Met store, behind them Teleprinter and Forecast room.

Left - Officers Lav, Switch Room, Side Entrance, Airman's Lav., Duty Pilots rest room.

There was also a flag cupboard, on the right.

Control Tower.

One of the lower offices. The front watch office has been split into three smaller offices.

Control Room.

The main control room with dramatic views now over the lake and you could see all over the whole airfield.

Control Room.

Huge steel beams run the full width of the roof.

Control Tower.

The main staircase up through the rear of the building leading right up to the roof.

Control Tower.

Stairs to the roof.

Control Tower.

On the roof the stairs come out, left is the door and the large opening is where black & white panels were kept.

These QDM panels told the pilots which runway to land on.

Control Tower.

Up on the roof.

A flair signal mortar was placed in the device and by pulling a wire attached to the base, to fire the flair.

Control Tower.

A flair signal mortar was placed in the device and by pulling a wire attached to the base to fire the flair.

Control Tower.

The rear stair tower

Technical Site.

View of the woodland behind the control tower. Inside were many buildings and also some Blister hangars.

CT - Control tower.
HQ - Head quarters.
BHQ - Battle Head Quarters.

Technical Site

Numbers stroke date - Building type number.
Just Number - Plan number.
138 - Control Tower (Watch Office) TB. 177655/40?
140 - Fire Tender Shelter TB. 83266/41.
141 - Lubrication & Inflammable Store TB.
142 - Sub Station PB. 128640/40.
143 - Squadron Office & Maintenance Unit 170022/40.
144 - Education Hut T.
145 - Groundsman's Tool Shed T.
146 - Fire Tender House TB. 82265/41
147 - Agricultural Tool Shed T.
148 - Fire Party Head Quarters B
01 -- Guard House TB. 023/40.
02 -- Gas Defence Centre TB. 48/40.
03 -- Home Guard Store.
04 -- Bulk Oil Compound 15932/40.
05 -- M.T. Stand.
06 -- Fuel Compound 54' x 54'.
07 -- Technical Latrine TB. 17021/40.
08 -- Hunt Trainer TB.
09 -- Control Tower PB. 518/40.
10 -- Briefing Room.
11 -- Flood Light & Tractor Shed TB. 8266/41?? Check numbers
12 - N.F.E. Store TB. 8266/41.
13 -- Bulk Oil Instillation.
14 -- S.A.A. Store TB.
15 -- Gas Clothing Store TB. 9195/41.
16 -- Technical Latrine W.A.A.F. TB. 9197/41.
17 -- Technical Latrine W.A.A.F. TB. 9197/41.
18 -- Link Trainer (With Workshop) TB. 10040/41.
19 -- Cine Camera Workshop TB. 8269/41.
20 -- Guard Party N. 41.
21 -- Main Workshop TB. 8263/41.
22 -- Parachute Store TB. 17865/41.
23 -- S.A.A. Store.
24 -- Armoury TB. 17023/40.
25 -- Bulk Oil Instillation 2500gal. 11210/40.
26 -- Emergence Water Storage Tank.
27 -- Over Blister Hangar.
28 -- Gas Chamber TB. 8269/41.
29 -- Cannon Test Butt 16461/41.
30 -- Latrine Block (Local).
31 -- Aircraft Pen (Single Engined) 11070/41.
32 -- Flight Office 6370/40.
33 -- Drying Room TB. 9119/41.
34 -- Aircraft Pen (Single Engined) 11070/41.
35 -- Over Blister Hangar.
36 -- Over Blister Hangar.
T - Tin.  TB. - Temporary Brick. B. - Brick.

Technical Site 08.

Hunt Trainer TB. building.

Provides a means of representing to a small number of pupils at the same time, various aspects of an aircraft due to variations in range altitude and visibility. Standard model aircraft are made to move and turn mechanically in a cyclorama with controlled coloured illumination and cloud effects. About six pupils sit with their backs to the proscenium looking into a plain mirror which can be moved to-and-fro in front of them. The range, depending on the distance of the mirror is indicated by a calibrated scale. The image may be observed through standard Ring and Bead Reflector Gun Sights. The trainer consists of an enclosure with a semi-circular back which can be floodlit to give varying degrees of lighting and with an opening to the front which is, in effect, the proscenium arch of a miniature theatre. In this is suspended a 1/72 scale model aircraft which can be made to carry out normal flying manoeuvres. Facing the cyclorama and outside the proscenium arch, a 6 ft by 2 ft mirror is mounted in a horizontal position which can be moved towards and away from the proscenium arch. The audience sits close beneath the arch with its back to it and views the reflection of the model aircraft, cloud and lighting effects in the mirror. Movements of the mirror towards and away from the audience gives the effect of different ranges, the limits being 200 to 1,000 yards.

Three types (one mobile) were standardised. The larger static one could accommodate twelve trainees.

Although very complex, the device was constructed locally.

An undated memo (c.1944 ?) stated that it was not being built at all new stations.

31 - Aircraft Pen (Single Engined) Type B FCW4513.

Fighter pen for single engined planes meaning Spitfire or Hurricane. Basically one plane either side with three quarter walls around them an air-raid shelter for 25 men in the middle for airmen and crew to use if needed.

Technical Site.

Inside the woodland, there are many remains.

Technical Site.

Blast Shelter for 32 men 2360/41.

Technical Site.

Blast Shelter for 32 men 2360/41.

Technical Site.

21 - Main Workshop TB. 8263/41.

Nothing to see now, but there is if you spend time looking. You can find the foundations and follow the design on the ground.

Technical Site.

21 - Main Workshop TB. 8263/41.

Technical Site.

21 - Main Workshop TB. 8263/41 foundations.

Technical Site.

There was a full drainage system in place and it all went to a sewage works, although I cannot find one here at Ibsley on the plan??

Guard Room
The main entrance, this has now gone as the owners have filled it in and created a bank of earth. Here there would have been : -
    1 -- Guard House TB. 023/40.
    2 -- Gas Defence Centre TB. 48/40.
    3 -- Home Guard Store.
    4 -- Bulk Oil Compound -- 15932/40.
142 -- Sub-Station PB. 1266/43.
143 -- Squadron Office and Maintenance Hut --. 170022/40.
145 -- Groundsman´s Tool Shed --.
147 -- Agricultural Implements Store.

Bellman Hangar
Across the road and back towards the village is the track leading from the perimeter track out to a Bellman hangar and a Blister hangar.
130 -- Aircraft Pen (Single Engined).
136 - Flight Office --.
149 -- Bellman Hangar --.
150 -- Maintenance Block TB. 82269/41.
151 -- Over Blister hangar ST.
152 -- Speech Broadcasting TB. 17756/41.

Bellman Hangar.

Somewhere in the field was the Bellman hangar and a Blister hangar.

Bellman Hangar.

How it may have looked out in the field.

Signals site
This is where these three buildings sat, their layout has been completely removed and all the buildings now are all new stabling..
153 -- P.B.X. Building TB. 133727/41.
154 -- Signal Block.
155 -- Signals Workshop.

PBX - Private branch exchange telephone.

BHQ.

The path to the Battle Head Quarters.

Moyles Court.

SHQ - Station Head Quarters, they also used out buildings as store's and MT.

Moyles Court.

The Americans when they were here enjoying the sunny day. The Americans came with P38 Lightening´s as early as 1942 for training. Then P47's came in 1944, by about July 1944 they had all left to go to temporary airfields in France.

Moyles Court.

The RAF Type A1 roundel 1937 to March 1939, the picture is in B&W so I have two pictures of the roundels in colour and Black & White. So it may narrow down the date of the picture to a pre war training photo.

Moyles Court
37 -- Station HQ. (Moyles Court house).
38 --   "      "    "       "               "
39 --   "      "    "       "               "
40 -- MT. Petrol Installation 1000gal.
41/42/43 -- ?
44/45 -- Stores.
46 -- ?
47 -- Petrol Office.
48 -- Enlarged Over blister Hangar.
57 -- ?
BS - Blast shelter.

Moyles Court.

40 - MT. Petrol Installation 1000gal.

Moyles Court.

Under the mound is a 40 - MT. Petrol Installation 1000gal.

Moyles Court

40 - MT. Petrol Installation 1000gal. 1000gal petrol tank breather pipe, dipstick, outlet and filler pipes.

Moyles Court.

40 - MT. Petrol Installation 1000gal. Most vehicles in WW2 were petrol driven so there was no need for a diesel tank. The Americans also used more petrol vehicles.

Memorial.

This memorial is an early one that was placed on what is the site of the main runway.

Main Runway.

This is all that is left of the main runway.

Count the aeroplanes.

At the time this picture was taken Ibsley had 3,000 American personnel and over 110 P47's.

The 48th Fighter Group with 492,493 & 494 Squadrons were based here. At RAF Bisterne was 371 FG (404th, 405th & 436th Squadrons) as residence but the runways were badly damaged by wet weather and the heavy Thunderbolt aircraft. So they were transferred lock stock & barrel to Ibsley. That is how 110 aircraft were parked in the above photo.

Control Tower.

This is a picture of a P47 of the 351st FS 353rd Fighter Group captioned at RAF Hethel, but I am convinced its RAF Ibsley , Hethel does not have this style of tower. The building to the left is 11- Flood Light & Tractor Shed - TB. - 8266/41 and the floodlight is the lamp stood between it and the plane.

South site
62 -- Bulk Petrol Installation J. 24,000gal. 13083/41.
63 -- Fire Pont Local.
64 to 68-- Airmen´s Barrack Huts T. 17030/40.
69 -- Airman´s Latrine Block.
70 -- Home Guard.
71 -- Emergency Water Storage Tank.
73 - 73 -- Over blister Hangars.
74 - 75 -- Aircraft Pens (Twin Engined).
76 -- Flight Office 6526/40.
77 -- Sleeping Shelter PB. 103/41.
78 -- Drying Room.
79 -- Aircraft Pen (Twin Engined).
80 -- Technical Latrine TB.
81 -- Maintenance Block (with Battery Charging) 8264/41.
82 -- Bellman Hangar.
83 -- Over blister Hangar.
84 -- Technical Latrine Block (W.A.A.F.).

South site.

Three fighter pens for six fighters about half a squadron with Flight offices, Blister hangar's and Bellman hangar.

South site.

77 - Sleeping Shelter PB. - 103/41. The idea of a sleeping shelter is where the ground crew could sleep in relative safety close to their planes. Sleeping 32 men in three tiers.

South site.

77 -- Sleeping Shelter PB. 103/41.

Permanent brick construction and reinforced concrete roof and piers.

South site.

77 -- Sleeping Shelter PB. 103/41.

The original wooden door in place.

South site.

77 -- Sleeping Shelter PB. 103/41.

Inside the sleeping shelter and the internal walls have been removed but there would have been three walls (see below).

South site.

Reel´s of barbed wire that went around the perimeter at one time.

South site.

Screw pickets to hold up the barbed wire.

South site.

74 - Aircraft Fighter Pens (Twin Engined).

South site. The centre air-raid shelter.

South site.

Fighter pen air-raid shelter and this shelter is fitted into the centre mound at the front of the pen. RAF Ibsley was designed as a front line fighter base and fulfilled that task all through the war. Holding a Wing of three squadrons, starting with Hurricanes and then Spitfires. The Americans came with heavy twin engined Lightening´s and Thunderbolts. When they all left the war had progressed further east and so Ibsley was not needed. RAF Upavon used it as a satellite for training purposes and then Transport Command as a Glider Pick-Up unit.

South site.

The air-raid shelter, remember there are Bats in there so DO NOT DISTERB them.

South site.

69 - Airmen´s Latrine Block TB. There were several huts for airmen to live away from their dispersed sites.

South site.

69 -- Airmen´s Latrine Block TB.

South site.

69 - Airmen´s Latrine Block TB.

South site.

69 - Airmen´s Latrine Block TB.

South site.

Foundations of a Blister hangar. A concrete foundation with spikes hammered through the wet concrete and into the ground.

South site

Jerry can. There must have been thousands of them on the airfield.

South site.

Perimeter tracks.

South site.

I think this is an original bridge put in to carry fighters across the river to the Blister hangar.

South site.

I think this is an original bridge put in to carry fighters across the river to the Blister hangar.

South site.

Down by the river is another 32 man blast shelter.

West side.

All along the west side as a child in the 60's I can remember seeing all the buildings and fighter pens, then one day they had all gone, swallowed up in the gravel extraction.

West site.

Plan of the area.

North side.

Fighter pen.

One of Ibsley's Spitfires. Clipped wing Spitfire Vb of 501 Squadron at Ibsley.
RAF Squadrons that used Ibsley.
32, 66, 118, 129, 165, 234, 263, 302, 310, 312, 421, 453, 501, 504 & 616.
USAAF Squadrons that used Ibsley.
71st, 94th, 492nd, 493rd, 494th, 371st, 14th, 392nd, 393rd & 394th.
No. 7 Flying Instructors School.
Transport Command Glider Pick-Up Training Flight.

Cool Doods.
Members of 118 Sqn pose for the camera at Zeals, Wiltshire, in August 1942. Sqn Ldr Bertie Wooten is in the white flying suit, with Sgt Jimmy Talalla on the wing. It could have been Ibsley.

North side.
103 -- Enlarged Over blister Hangar ST.
104 -- Over blister Hangar.
105 -- Technical Latrine (W.A.A.F.).
106 -- S.A.A. Store.
107 -- Aircraft Pen.
108 -- Drying Room TB. 177415/40.
109 -- Home Guard Hut.
110 -- Sleeping Shelter PB. 115476/40
111 - 116 --- Airmen´s Barrack Huts TB. 177030/41.
117 -- Airmen´s Latrine Block TB.
118 -- P.A.C. Hut.
119 -- Emergency Water Storage Tank.
120 -- Drying Room TB. 177415/41.
121 -- Latrine Block.
122 -- Flight Office.
123 -- Officers Latrine Block TB.
124 -- Officers Quarters T. 55749/40.
125 - 126 -- Aircraft Pens (Single Engine).
127 -- Sleeve Streamer Mast.

North side.

What I have found around the north side.

North side.

Previously when the grass was short I found this Lewis Gun emplacement.

North side.

Lewis Gun emplacement central mounting pin..

North side.

Double Lewis gun position in drain pipe positions.

North side.

Stanton air-raid shelter.

North side.

The Stanton shelter has an entrance in one end and the other a concrete chimney escape with a steel ladder inside and a steel flip top lid over the hole.

North side.

Fighter pen air-raid shelter 1.

North side.

Fighter pen air-raid shelter 2.

North side.

Fighter pen air-raid shelter 3.

North side.

Sleeping shelter for 32 men.

North side.

Tarmac roadway into a fighter pen.

North side.

Roadway out to the perimeter track and then the runways. One of the last units to use RAF Ibsley were the Glider Pick-Up Unit. Their job was to go out and pick up gliders from the battlefield. A ground crew would go to (Normandy/Arnhem, Far East) or where ever and make a glider air worthy. Then a Dakota with a special hook in its tail would fly in very low and hook onto the gliders tow rope. Continuing to fly all the time and snatch the glider. Taking it back to probably RAF Netheravon to be re furbished and made ready for its next role.

'The First Of the Few' 1942 Leslie Howard and David Niven, 501 Spitfire squadron at RAF Ibsley in 1942. Some of those posted at Ibsley had bit parts and helped contribute to the film.

The First of the Few (US title “Spitfire”') is a 1942 British black-and-white biographical film produced and directed by Leslie Howard, who stars as R. J. Mitchell, the designer of the Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft. David Niven co-stars as a Royal Air Force officer and test pilot, a composite character that represents the pilots who flew Mitchell's seaplanes and tested the Spitfire. The film depicts Mitchell's strong work ethic in designing the Spitfire and his death. The film's title alludes to Winston Churchill's speech describing Battle of Britain aircrew, subsequently known as the Few: "Never was so much owed by so many to so few". Leslie Howard's portrayal of Mitchell has a special significance since Howard was killed when the Lisbon-to-London civilian airliner in which he was traveling was shot down by the Luftwaffe on 1 June 1943. His death occurred only days before The First of the Few was released in the United States on 12 June 1943. (Wikipedia).