RNAS Caldale

RNAS Caldale is a former Royal Naval Air Service airship station located 2.1 miles (3.4 km) west of Kirkwall, Orkney and 4.1 miles (6.6 km) south east of Finstown, Orkney, Scotland. It was constructed in 1915 and was operational from 1916 to 1920.

RNAS Caldale RAF Caldale
Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland
Site information
Type	Military - Airship station
Owner	Air Department 1915-1918 Air Ministry 1918-1920
Controlled by	Royal Naval Air Service  Royal Air Force
Location
RNAS Caldale Location in Orkney
Coordinates	58.978°N 3.020°W / 58.978; -3.020
Site history
Built	1915 (1915)
In use	July 1916-1920 (1920).[1]
Battles/wars	First World War

History

Caldale had two large airship hangars which housed Submarine Scout Pusher airships that operated anti-submarine and mine spotting sweeps near to Orkney.^[2]

However, this was fraught was danger as during November 1917 SSP-2 and SSP-4 were both destroyed in high winds with the crew of SSP-4 lost at sea. Not long after these losses and other damage caused to airships due to the wind the Admiralty decided to close the airship station and move the airship further south on mainland Britain.^[3]

During January 1918, the airship station became a kite balloon repair station^[3] and was home to No. 20 Kite Balloon Base.^[1]

Current use

The site is currently open land.^[1]

See also

• List of former Royal Air Force stations