RNZAF Station Masterton

[Dave Homewood]

RNZAF Station Masterton, also known by its civilian name Hood Aerodrome, was a fighter base in 1942 to 1943, the home of No. 488 Squadron and then No. 14 Squadron, with their Harvards and P-40s, plus No. 208 Squadron, which was an Aerodrome Defence Unit.

But when No. 14 Squadron moved to Whenuapai in March 1943, what happened to the station? Did it remain open? It was a major facility with multiple runways, several hangars and workshops. It seems odd that I have never heard of other squadrons using it after No. 14 Squadron left. Did the station revert to Care and Maintenance?

[davidd]

Dave, brief notes on Masterton from the rather short but official histories of RNZAF Wartime stations. Not much enlightenment I'm afraid.

25/4/42, No. 488 Squadron arrives, here till 15/2/43, thence to Whenuapai.

x/7/42, No. 208 ADU (later Squadron), in residence till March 1943.

15/3/43, No. 305 EGTS (Elementary Ground Training Squadron), forms this date, disbanded 15/10/43.

1/11/43, Masterton Station put on C & M (Care & Maintenance) basis. See Organisational Memorandum No. 164 of 16/9/43. I think it would have been considered a "typical fighter station" during its heyday, with many temporary structures and grass vectors.


Commanding Officers:

W/C R C Ayling, RAF, 13/4/42 - 31/3/43.

W/C H B Burrell, 26/3/43 - 17/10/43.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks David. Cheers.