EAW000794 ENGLAND (1946). RAF Ringway, Castle Hill, 1946

Handler Page Halifax bombers

Runway 24 / 06

Woodhouse Lane, towards the hamlet of Brownley Green which was just north of the present Wythenshawe civic centre, at the junction of Woodhouse Lane with Poundswick Lane and Crossacres Road. "The Cedars" was the big house of the hamlet, which long survived in a new use as a community centre for the developing estates in the area. It was demolished some years ago and the offices of the housing association which now manages the local estates stands on the site.

Moss House - now the Etrop Grange Hotel

Dark Lane

Dark Lane, leading up to the hamlet of Poundswick which lay close to the future high school which, much later, took its name.

Wood House Park - house which subsequently gave its name to the entire later housing estate development in the area.

Woodhouse Farm

Moss House Farm

Heyhead - small hamlet now entirely engulfed by the airport's ancillary support services. A plaque records the site of the Congregational church and its graveyard.

"The Grange"

Yew Tree Lane

Thorley Lane, towards Etrop Green and Hale.

Bailey Lane

Outwood Lane

Woodhouse Lane

Woodhouse Lane

Ringway Road

Highfield House - occupied by the Hancock family

Airport Hotel - still there today

Aircraft dispersal area - appears to be a number of Halifax bombers awaiting conversion to freighters and paratroop transports in 1946

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.

Taxiway crossed Altrincham road to access aircraft dispersals

Manchester Ringway's passenger terminal building.

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.

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

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