Airborne Forces Development Centre

Airborne Forces Development Centre

1943 to 1944

The origins of the Airborne Forces Development Centre can be traced back to the creation of British Airborne Forces at RAF Ringway in 1940 and the subsequent formation of the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment (AFEE) in 1942.

The AFEE’s early functions included undertaking loading trials to determine safe and efficient methods of stowing military stores and equipment within different aircraft types. However, capacity issues within AFEE required the formation of a separate unit to undertake the ground work, leaving AFEE free to conduct the air work.

As a result, the Airborne Forces Development Centre (AFDC) was formed at Amesbury Abbey in May 1943. It was commanded by a General Staff Officer (Grade 1) under whom served staff officers of all arms and services and an experimental section REME workshop. Later the commanding appointment was changed to Commandant, and subsequently upgraded again to full Colonel.

The AFDC’s task was to develop and test equipment peculiar to parachute and glider techniques and to develop tactical glider loads for airborne operations. Loading techniques were investigated for the Horsa, Hamilcar and Hadrian gliders and were later extended to include the Dakota aircraft. A large amount of work was also done on supplies packing and dropping of Army stores.

During the latter half of 1944 the growing need for Air Transport of the Army as a whole (as distinct from Airborne Forces) was appreciated and, in order to embrace and co-ordinate all Army Air Transport requirements, the Centre was reorganised and redesignated as the Army Airborne Transport Development Centre (AATDC).

In May 1946 the Centre moved to RAF Brize Norton, to enable closer co-operation between the Centre and the RAF Transport Command Development Unit, which provided the air frames for the Centre’s trial drops and exercises and which assisted in the clearance of Army loads for carriage in powered aircraft and gliders. During this period an American Airborne Detachment joined the HQ, not only for liaison purposes, but to take an active part in tests and training.

In June 1949 the Centre was renamed the Army Air Transport Training and Development Centre (AATDC) and together with the Transport Command Development Unit moved to RAF Abingdon. The Centre remained here for two years until a move to RAF Old Sarum in March 1951.

In January 1968 AATDC became part of the Joint Air Transport Establishment (JATE).

AFDC Commanding Officers/ Commandants

Lt Col JT Bannatyne 1943-44
Col RH Deakin OBE 1944-46*

 

*Centre redesignated as the Army Airborne Transport Development Centre (AATDC) during Col Deakin's tenure.

Compiled with assistance from Bob Hilton.

Read More

Official documents_11

  • Document showing the modifications required to the Morris C8 to allow loading in a glider, 1944.

    Document showing the modifications required to the Morris C8 to allow loading in a glider, 1944.

    1 Item
  • Document showing the modifications for the Morris C8, post conversion, to allow glider loading, AFDC, 1944.

    Document showing the modifications for the Morris C8, post conversion, to allow glider loading, AFDC, 1944.

    1 Item
  • Document showing the additional Wireless Sets in the M3 Scout Car, AFDC, 1945.

    Document showing the additional Wireless Sets in the M3 Scout Car, AFDC, 1945.

    1 Item
  • Document detailing the modifications required for the front of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    Document detailing the modifications required for the front of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    1 Item
  • Document detailing the modifications required for the near side of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    Document detailing the modifications required for the near side of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    1 Item
  • Document detailing the modifications required for the off side of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    Document detailing the modifications required for the off side of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    1 Item
  • Document detailing the modifications required for the rear interior of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    Document detailing the modifications required for the rear interior of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    1 Item
  • Document detailing the modifications required for the front interior of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    Document detailing the modifications required for the front interior of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    1 Item
  • Document detailing the modifications required for the rear of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    Document detailing the modifications required for the rear of the Universal Carrier, AFDC, 1944.

    1 Item
  • Document detailing the rear and side view of modified M3 Scout Car, AFDC, 1945.

    Document detailing the rear and side view of modified M3 Scout Car, AFDC, 1945.

    1 Item
  • Document showing the interior modifications to the M3 Scout Car for Airborne use, AFDC, 1945.

    Document showing the interior modifications to the M3 Scout Car for Airborne use, AFDC, 1945.

    1 Item

Photos_11

Latest Comments

There are currently no comments for this content.

Add your comment

Donate

Make a donation to Airborne Assault ParaData to help preserve the history of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces