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

History

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

RNAS Caldale

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.

RNAS Caldale

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

RNAS Caldale

Current use

The site is currently open land.

See also

List of former Royal Air Force stations

References

Citations

Bibliography

Royal Air Force stations in Scotland

Buildings and structures in Orkney

Defunct airports in Scotland

Royal Naval Air Service

Royal Naval Air Stations in Scotland

Airports established in 1915

Airports disestablished in 1920

1915 establishments in Scotland

1920 disestablishments in Scotland

Mainland, Orkney