RM Condor

RM Condor RNAS Arbroath (HMS Condor) File:RoyalMarineBadge.svg
Near Arbroath in Scotland
250px Entrance to RM Condor
RM Condor Shown within Angus
Coordinates
Type	Royal Marines Base
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	Royal Navy
Site history
Built	1971 (1971)
In use	1971-present
Airfield information
Elevation	49 metres (161 ft) AMSL
Helipads Number Length and surface 00 50x50m Concrete

RM Condor is a large Royal Marines base located near Arbroath in East Angus, Scotland. The base also houses 7 (Sphinx) Battery Royal Artillery, part of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

History

The base was first constructed as a Fleet Air Arm base in 1938, when it was known as RNAS Arbroath (HMS Condor). From the outset it was a training base, primarily involved in the training of naval aviators. A purpose-built 'aircraft carrier' sized landing area was constructed on the airfield and it, along with another similar facility at nearby East Haven, Angus, HMS Peewit was used to train aircrew in deck landing operations. In October, 1940, the base was attacked by Luftwaffe He-111 bombers, operating from Norway, which resulted in minor damage (then valued at £1000) being sustained to some Squadron buildings. Throughout the war years the base was additionally used as a rest area. Operational Squadrons from aircraft carriers would take it in turn to spend rest periods whilst their ships were undergoing maintenance at Scottish Naval ship repair facilities. In the mid 1960s the base became the home of the Royal Navy Aircraft Engineering Training School which had transferred from HMS Daedalus at Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire. It continued in this role until 1971 when the base became the home to 45 Commando Royal Marines, a part of 3 Commando Brigade. The base was thereafter known as RM Condor or Condor Barracks and remains an operational base to this day.

Units

The following units have been here at some point:

2

Based units

• 45 Commando, Royal Marines
• 7 (Sphinx) Battery Royal Artillery
• 2 (City of Dundee) Signal Squadron
• No. 662 Volunteer Gliding Squadron RAF

See also

• List of air stations of the Royal Navy