RAF Worthy Down

RAF Worthy Down
RNAS Worthy Down (HMS Kestrel)
HMS Ariel
South Wonston, Hampshire in England
Site information
TypeRoyal Air Force station
OwnerAir Ministry 1917–1939
Admiralty 1939–1960
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Royal Navy
Controlled byRAF Bomber Command
Fleet Air Arm
Location
RAF Worthy Down
Shown within Hampshire
RAF Worthy Down
RAF Worthy Down (the United Kingdom)
Coordinates51°06′37″N 001°19′08″W / 51.11028°N 1.31889°W / 51.11028; -1.31889
Site history
Built1917 (1917)
In use1917 – 1960 (1960)
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Elevation100 metres (328 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
N/S 704 metres (2,310 ft) Grass
E/W 1,280 metres (4,199 ft) Grass

Royal Air Force Worthy Down, or simply RAF Worthy Down, is a former Royal Air Force station built in 1918, 3.5 miles (6 km) north of Winchester, in Hampshire, England. After it was transferred to Royal Navy control in 1939 as Royal Naval Air Station Worthy Down (RNAS Worthy Down, or HMS Kestrel), the airfield remained in use throughout the Second World War, and then housed a RN Air Electrical School, HMS Ariel, from 1952. The airfield was in use until 1960. The site is now MOD Worthy Down.