RAF Beaulieu, New Forest

BEAULIEU Airfield was built in 1942,opening in August with 19 Group,RAF Coastal Command,and was used mainly as a basef or anti-submarine patrol work.In February 1944 the airfield transferred to 2 TAF(2nd Tactical Air Force)for preparation for D-Day.Another change in command in March 1944 saw the arrival of the 9th Air Force/USAAF who stayed until the end of August.Following the departure of the USAAF,in December 1944 the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment(AFEE) arrived .Involved in experimental work with glider towing,parachute drops etc,the AFEE used the old East Boldre Airfield site which was literally right next door, on the far side of the Lymington-Beaulieu road, as a drop zone

Parking off the Lyminton-Beaulieu road and onto the perimeter track. All the track is walkable. On the information panel, X marks the spot where runway is still present, and is used by a model aircraft club
Parking on the perimeter track	All the concrete and tarmack has been removed, and now forms a long walk round the heathland
Occasional patches of concrete remain	Along with remains of lights marking the edge of the perimeter track
	Along the side of the runways, the concrete edges still remain, here showing the crossing of two runways
Looking east along the main east west runway. Its big!	Remains of runway edge markers
Kept coming across these manhole covers, made in Dover by Dour Iron Foundry, Dover Theres a patent (No 447063) describing the gas and water tight covers
Looking west along the centre lin eof the main runway, with remains of access and lighting panels