RAF Ballyhalbert

RAF Ballyhalbert opened on 28 June 1941 on the Ards Peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland, and served throughout the Second World War as a fighter station under RAF Fighter Command. As a day and night fighter base it sat well placed to help defend Belfast and the surrounding sea approaches against Luftwaffe raids, and over its operational life it passed through Nos. 13 and 82 Groups.

A long succession of squadrons rotated through the airfield, reflecting the multinational character of the wartime RAF. Hurricane units such as No. 245 and No. 504 Squadrons gave way over time to Spitfire operators including No. 501 and the Polish No. 303 Squadron, while No. 153 Squadron flew Boulton Paul Defiants and later Bristol Beaufighters in the night-fighter role. Personnel from across the Commonwealth and Allied nations, together with American and naval contingents, passed through the station.

In July 1945 the airfield was transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned as HMS Corncrake, supporting Fleet Air Arm squadrons flying types such as the Supermarine Seafire before being paid off that November and returned briefly to the RAF. Flying ceased in early 1946 and the site was given up. In later years much of the former airfield was sold off and developed, and the land today is largely occupied by caravan and holiday-park use.