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Also known as: Morrich (unofficial local name) / RAF Tain / Tain Aerodrome
County: Highland
Current Status: Farmland / Range
Date: 16 September 1941 (irregular use from 1938 as range LG) - June 1947
Current Use: Disused
Used By: RAF / RAF (Czech) / FAA / RCAF
Landing Surface Types: Unpaved, later paved
Aircraft Roles: Bomber / Fighter / Maritime patrol / Naval aviation / Trainer

Flying began at Tain from around 1938 as a supportive landing ground for the nearby bombing and firing ranges. In 1940 approval was given for the land to be developed as a satellite for the proposed Clay of Allan Airfield which subsequently became known as Fearn. Tain opened on 16 September 1941 under Fighter Command control, with Fearn now acting instead as its satellite. The first of many units making brief stays from both the RAF and Fleet Air Arm arrived in the form of Hawker Hurricanes from No 17 Squadron that month. During the spring of 1942 Bomber Command also sent detachments of Handley Page Halifaxes from No 76 Squadron. Tain’s location gave the crews access to targets in Norway, and in particular the German battleship Tirpitz. Attacks on the ship were unsuccessful on this occasion.

This airfield had proved rather quiet while serving as part of Fighter Command, though had served as home for the important Coastal Command Development Unit (CCDU) between June 1942 and April 1943. After passing to that Command in February 1943, No 1 Torpedo Refresher School carried out anti-shipping training for both FAA and RAF crews until disbanding in January 1944. Activity now picked up as various Coastal Command strike units spent time at Tain for largely brief periods until the end of the war, operating aircraft such as Bristol Beaufighters.

With a significant runway extension, Consolidated Liberators of No 86 Squadron moved in from June 1944. The unit was busy, especially through June and July with anti U-boat operations, sinking several, for example U-534 only days before Germany surrendered. The squadron then moved on to Oakington in August 1945, as did the Czech No 311 Squadron, which from August 1944 had similarly operated Liberators. Other wartime Tain residents included a number of FAA Fairey Barracuda squadrons as well as part of No 4 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit using Miles Martinets.

Both No 1 Torpedo Training Unit (TTU) and the Coastal Command Instructors School (CCIS) arrived from Turnberry in November 1945, the CCIS residing at the site until disbanding in the spring of 1946. The TTU departed for Thorney Island as the year came to an end, to leave Tain on Care and Maintenance. The airfield finally closed in June 1947 to once again become part of the range, in 1954 seeing an unusual exercise whereby the eastern end of the NE/SW runway was deliberately blown up by bombs to test more improved runway repair techniques. It has become one of the busiest ranges in the UK and for years has been used by various NATO members. Tain continues to be used in this role, for strafing, as well as for inert and concrete bombs, rather than high explosive weapons. Part of the runways still remain, as well as many of the buildings including the control tower, with the land now also being used for agriculture.

 

The following organisations are either based at, use and/or have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield (as at 01/09/2011):
  • Inver Community Council
  • Tain Library
  • Tain Through Time
  • The Royal Burgh of Tain Community Council



Main unit(s) present:

  • No 1 Torpedo Refresher School

  • No 1 Torpedo Training Unit

  • No 4 (Coastal) OTU

  • No 8 AGS

  • No 17 Sqn

  • No 19 (P) AFU

  • No 76 Sqn

  • No 86 Sqn

  • No 123 Sqn
  • No 132 Sqn
  • No 143 Sqn
  • No 144 Sqn

  • No 186 Sqn

  • No 206 Sqn
  • No 235 Sqn
  • No 236 Sqn
  • Np 254 Sqn
  • No 279 Sqn
  • No 280 Sqn
  • No 281 Sqn
  • No 311 Sqn

  • No 404 Sqn

  • No 415 Sqn

  • No 417 Sqn
  • No 455 Sqn
  • No 489 Sqn
  • No 518 Sqn
  • No 519 Sqn

  • No 547 Sqn

  • No 801 Sqn

  • No 815 Sqn

  • No 817 Sqn

  • No 822 Sqn

  • No 829 Sqn

  • No 1491 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight
  • No 1491 (TT) Flight

  • No 2831 Sqn RAF Regiment
  • Coastal Command Development Unit

  • Coastal Command Flying Instructors School

  • Coastal Command Instructors School

Photographs and video from the memorial unveiling at Tain on Saturday 11th August 2018:

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Tain airfield bombing range, c. 1940. © Crown Copyright: HES. Licensor canmore.org.uk

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A No 144 Squadron Beaufighter Mk VI being fitted with an 18in Mk XV torpedo using a special telescopic cradle designed for the job at Tain, 25 April 1943. © IWM (CH 9769)

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The crew of a Bristol Beaufighter Mark VIC (ITF) of No 144 Squadron RAF stand by the cockpit of their aircraft at a dispersal at Tain during the Second World War. © IWM (CH 9765)

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Aerial photograph of part of Tain, 1945. © Courtesy of HES (RAF Air Photographs Collection). Licensor canmore.org.uk

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Aerial photograph showing part of Tain, 31 August 1945. © Courtesy of HES (RAF Air Photographs Collection). Licensor canmore.org.uk

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The control tower at Tain from the west, 7 May 1997. © Crown Copyright: HES. Licensor canmore.org.uk

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Interior of the operations room showing cable ducts in floor and viewing balconies, 8 May 1997. © Crown Copyright: HES. Licensor canmore.org.uk

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The control tower at Tain Range, 23 February, 2008.

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Aerial view of Tain, looking east-north-east, 24 July 2010. © Crown Copyright: HES. Licensor canmore.org.uk

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Aerial view of Tain, looking north, 24 July 2010. © Crown Copyright: HES. Licensor canmore.org.uk

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Aerial view of Tain, looking east, 24 July 2010. © Crown Copyright: HES. Licensor canmore.org.uk

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Remains of the airfield at Tain, c. 2012-2013. Courtesy of Allan Kilpatrick.

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Aerial view of Tain, looking west-north-west, 14 May 2015. © Crown Copyright: HES. Licensor canmore.org.uk

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Aerial view of Tain, looking west, 14 May 2015. © Crown Copyright: HES. Licensor canmore.org.uk

Footage of a landing and take off at Tain, c. 2015. Courtesy of Richard Robins-Bird

Highland Car Club at Tain, c. 2016. Courtesy of george Gf

Parent(s)/HQ Airfield(s):

Dalcross / EvantonKinloss

Satellite(s):

Fearn

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