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Information About

Raf Kai Tak




RAF Kai Tak was a Royal Air Force station in Hong Kong . It was opened in 1927 and used for Seaplane s. The RAF flight operated a few land based aircraft as well as having spare aircraft for naval units.


HISTORY


From 1968 to 1978 it was used by various RAF Helicopter units, as well as the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force and Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps Air Unit . The RAF left Kai Tak and moved most other operations to Sek Kong Airfield .

From 1993 ownwards the civilian Government Flying Service ) replaced Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force at Kai Tak, thus ending the RAF presence at the airport.

The apron and the old NCO Mess areas were used by the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as the Police Driving School premises for a number of years until re-sited.


NON-MILITARY USERS


It was the main airfield in Hong Kong housing other non-military users:



AIRCRAFT


During the 1940 s, Japanese A6M Zero fighters were based at Kai Tak, as well as United States Air Force Consolidated B-24 Liberator and North American B-25 Mitchell bombers.

A list of aircraft stationed there:


SQUADRONS


The Japanese were stationed at Kai Tak during World War II and was charge with extending the runway at the base.


A list of RAF squadrons at Kai Tak:



RAF Detachments




KAI TAK RUNWAY


Kai Tak's first runway was a grass strip and the first tarmac, an east-west runway, was 457 metres long in 1939. A series of extensions were added over the years:

  • 1940s - 1,371 metres runway added by the Japanese

  • 1956 - 2,194 metres north-south runway added

  • 1970 - 2,541 metres

  • 1975 - 3,358 metres

  • post 1975 - single paved Runway 13/31 - 3390 metres (or 11,122 feet)



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