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Caernarfon Airworld Museum is located at Caernarfon Airport, formerly RAF Llandwrog, southwest of Caernarfon, Gwynedd in Wales.
The museum has an impressive collection of aircraft and aviation memorabilia including a D.H. Vampire, Hawker Hunter F1, Hawker Sea Hawk, Westland Whirlwind and BAe Harrier.
History
Caernarfon Airworld Museum was established in 1988 and is located on Caernarfon Airport which was formerly RAF Llandwrog.
RAF Llandwrog was initially chosen as a defensive airfield with fighter aircraft in 1940 as a defence against a possible German attack via the Irish Sea. Later in 1941 it was used in a training role and aircraft seen here included Airspeed Oxfords, Whitleys, Boulton Paul Defiants, and Blenheim Mk IVs. RAF Mountain Rescue Service was also formed here due to aircraft losses in the mountains to the east.
In 1945, RAF Llandwrog closed to flying activities and became an Aircrew Holding Unit and then a Maintenance Unit (No 277 MU) which was used to store 9000 tons of captured enemy Chemical Weapons. In the late 1950s and 1960s the now disused aerodrome reverted to being agricultural land and became mainly used for grazing.
In 1976, RAF Llandwrog was to be reopened for flying by Keenair of Liverpool and became a civilian airfield. It now houses a Flying School, the Wales Air Ambulance, Microlight school and an Aviation Engineering Company.
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