EAW000792 ENGLAND (1946). RAF Ringway, Castle Hill, 1946

Outwood Lane

Altrincham Road - towards Oversleyford and the A538 Altrincham-Wilmslow Road.

Ringway Road, with Heyhead hamlet to the north and left.

Yew Tree Lane, Ringway

Styal Cross

Wilkins Lane, Styal

Styal village centre

Holly Lane

Moss Lane

Altrincham Road

Smoke wind indicator

Signal square - indicates that Runway 10 or 06 (crosswind) were likely to be in use (T indicates the landing direction with pilots landing towards the top of the T)and that pilots must confine aircraft movements to paved surfaces (dumbell)

Hangar No1 - attached to the 1938 terminal building.

Hale Road

Fairey Aviation Hangar complex - was used from 1936 till 1977 by the company. At the time of this photograph the facility was being used for the conversion of Handley Page Halifax bombers into freight and paratroop transports. Just to the North you can see a number of aircraft on the dispersal and a further two Halifax bombers parked outside the large hangar. A further four aircraft are immediately behind the central Fairey hangar.

Hangar No3 - 1939 Bellman hangar used by the Parachute Training School during WWII

Hangar No2 - 1939 Bellman hangar used by the Air Transport Auxillary

Additional hangar erected during WWII for the use of the Parachute Training School

Hangar No7 (formerly No5 during wartime when used by Parachute Training School) - remained in use until the construction of Terminal 3 in 1996.

Hangar No6 (formerly No4 during wartime when used by Parachute Training School) - remained in use until the construction of Terminal 3 in 1996.

Airport apron

The 1938 airport terminal building remained in use until 1949 when buildings behind Hangar 6 were converted to create a new passenger facility.

East dispersal area, some of which remains to this day. The area used to have the airfield radar array. This has now been relocated. The airfield Fire & Rescue service have a dedicated training facility on this area now.

Moss Lane

Runway 02/20 - the displaced thresholds gave about 3000ft of available runway for operations. This runway remained in use till the late 1970s for light aircraft. With the expansion of the airport and the creation of Terminal 2 the runway was taken out of use and what remains forms parts of Taxiway A and C and a light aircraft parking area

Runway 10/28 - with displaced thresholds this provided about 3000ft for operations. The runway remained in use for light aircraft up to the late 1970s. It is now disused with sections remaining in use as taxiway and light aircraft parking

Runway 24/06 - 4,200ft long at this time. Still in use today, albeit significantly longer to 3048m (10,000ft) x 45m (147ft) wide. Due to magnetic variation the runway designation is now 23R/05L

Taxiway to South dispersal area crosses Altrincham Road.

South Dispersal area built for the use of Avro to support Lancaster production but apparently not used by them. Used temporary storage of surplus aircraft prior to dismantling. The area is believed to have been returned to farmland about 1949.

Avro Hangar No 523 - used for the assembly of Lancaster and Manchester Bombers together with York transports during WWII. Demolished to make way for the second runway.

AVRO hangars used for the final assembly of Lancaster& Manchester Bombers together with Avro York Transports during WWII. This is Hangar No 522. Following the war this hangar was used to house increasing numbers of private & executive aircraft. Remained in use until demolition to make way for the second main runway (24L/06R).

Avro Hangar No 521 - used for the assembly of Lancaster and Manchester Bombers together with York transports during WWII. Demolished to make way for the second runway.

Northern aircraft dispersal area - appears to be a number of Halifax bombers awaiting conversion to freighters and paratroop transports in 1946. This area is now part of the Terminal 2 and Cargo Centre apron.