Ballywalter Airfield

Above image from ww2ni.webs.com

Ballywalter (RAF) airfield was situated on the Springfield Road, Newtownards, BT22 2PE.

Ballywalter was officially known as No. 16 Satellite Landing Ground. It was prepared for use by 23 Maintenance Unit at RAF Aldergrove during the early months of 1941. The first test landing was made by an Anson, April 25 1941. The length of the runways had to be extended due to the effect strong crosswinds across the strip was having on landing aircraft. Aircraft were stored here throughout the war being used as a overspill facility. The planes were hidden under the trees of nearby Dunleath Estate. (Information from airfieldinformationexchange.org)