Rnas Mullion |
| Hob Uid: 1458994 | |
Location :
Cornwall
Cury, Mawgan-in-Meneage
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| Grid Ref : SW7086802106 |
| Summary : The site of RNAS Mullion, a major First World War airship station and military airfield from 1916 to 1919. It opened in June 1916 and was initially known as the Lizard Airship Station. It was used as a base for coastal patrols to counter the German submarine campaign and it had a number of sub-stations at Bude, Laira, Toller and Upton. The base covered a 320 acre site and included two very large airship hangars (300x100x70 feet), large mooring blocks, aircraft sheds including six Bessonneau hangers, a hutted camp and workshops. RNAS Mullion was used as a base for non-rigid Coastal Class C2 and C9 airships as well as for fixed-wing aircraft. Two Special Duty Flights of DH6s (515 and 526 Flights) part of 254 Squadron, and Number 493 (Light Bomber) Flight consisting of DH9s and Sopwith 1½ Strutters were also based here. These Flights later became part of 236 Squadron. In 1919 the base was disbanded but it was reused as an experimental balloon centre in the Second World War. All that remains of the base are the foundations of two large hangars along with their associated wind screens. |
More information : MULLION 5 miles from Helston railway station
190/203 : (10) SW 705210 : Cornwall : 320 acres : 1933 x 1100 yards : 304 feet amsl.
Class F Airship Station (with sub-stations at Bude, Laira, Toller and Tresco) for non-rigid airships RNAS/RAF 6.1916 - 1919 : Marine Operations Station RNAS 4.1917 - 8.1917 : Marine Operations Station RNAS/RAF 12.1917 - 5.1919 .
Information possibly from Ces Mowthorpe's book "Battlebags". (1)
The site of RNAS Mullion, a major First World War airship station and military airfield from 1916 to 1919. It opened in June 1916 and was initially known as the Lizard Airship Station. It was used as a base for coastal patrols to counter the German submarine campaign and it had a number of sub-stations at Bude, Laira, Toller and Upton. The base covered a 320 acre site and included a very large airship hangar (300x100x70 feet), two large mooring blocks, aircraft sheds including six Bessonneau hangers, a hutted camp and workshops.
RNAS Mullion was used as a base for non-rigid Coastal Class C2 and C9 airships as well as for fixed-wing aircraft. Two Special Duty Flights of DH6s (515 and 526 Flights) part of 254 Squadron, and Number 493 (Light Bomber) Flight consisting of DH9s and Sopwith 1½ Strutters were also based here. These Flights later became part of 236 Squadron.
In 1919 the base was disbanded and all that remains of it are the foundations of two large mooring blocks along with their associated windbreaks.
Note that in this source the large rectangular features that are still visible have been interpreted as mooring blocks whereas in source 3 they are the foundations of hangars. (2)
RNAS Mullion was built at Bonython on the Lizard Peninsula to combat the threat of German submarines. The only remains are of two large hangars which housed the airships along with the foundations of tall wind-break screens which were positioned around the hangar entrances. RNAS Mullion at Bonython was one of the major bases to carry out attacks on enemy submarines and a number of aircraft were also stationed there during the war. It was re-used as an experimental balloon centre during the Second World War. (3)
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