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Gifford (Townhead)

Major
Also known as: Gifford Landing Ground / Haddingtonshire / RAF Gifford / RFC Gifford / RFC Townhead / Townhead Landing Ground
County: East Lothian
Current Status: Farmland
Date: January 1917 - 1919 (notification of relinquishment 13 March)
Current Use: Disused
Used By: RAF / RFC
Landing Surface Types: Unpaved
Aircraft Roles: Fighter

Royal Aircraft Factory BE2 and BE12 variants fighters of No 77 Squadron initially had Gifford available to them as a Home Defence landing ground during World War One. The unit switched to using Avro 504Ks at the beginning of 1918, these aircraft remaining in service after the end of fighting.

An unusual feature of this airfield’s history was its name, in that the landing ground was originally known as Townhead (Gifford) until the title changed in September 1917 to become Gifford (Haddingtonshire).
The following organisations are either based at, use and/or have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield (as at 30/11/2018):
  • Gifford Community Council

The following alternative information/mass media sources have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield (as at 30/11/2018):

  • East Lothian Life http://www.eastlothianlife.co.uk/default.asp?page=issue&issue=105

Main unit(s) present:

  • No 77 Sqn
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View of Gifford to the north in the distant second field, 25 June 2019. 

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North side of Gifford, 26 June 2019.

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View across Gifford from east side of airfield, 26 June 2019.

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Plans of Gifford (Townhead). Courtesy of Ed Andrews

Parent(s)/HQ Airfield(s):

Penston II / Turnhouse

Home Defence Flight Station(s):

New Haggerston / Penston II / Whiteburn

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