FSX – RAF Aston Down

FSX – RAF Aston Down,Gloucestershire, England. Former RAF Aston Down (IACO X2AD) is located 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east of Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, South West England and 6.9 miles (11.1 km) west of Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The airfield was originally opened as RAF Minchinhampton and was first used in the First World War, serving as an aerodrome for the Australian Flying Corps with No. 2 Squadron AFC flying the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a and the Sopwith Pup and No. 3 Squadron AFC flying the Avro 504. The airfield closed shortly afterwards. In 1938 the airfield reopened under the new name of RAF Aston Down at the request of the residents of Minchinhampton village, which lies about 1 mile (1.6 km) to the west of the airfield, who feared not enemy attack, but a fall in the value of their houses. During the Second World War the main unit present was No. 20 Maintenance Unit RAF (MU) which stored and prepared aircraft. The unit arrived during October 1938 and left in September 1960.

By Terry Boissel

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