RAF Woodvale

RAF Woodvale is a Royal Air Force Station located near Formby and Ainsdale in Merseyside, England. It was constructed in 1941 as an all-weather night fighter airfield for the defense of Liverpool, opening in December 1941, shortly after the peak of the Liverpool Blitz. During the Second World War, it hosted various RAF squadrons, including Polish units, which operated Spitfire IIs and Vbs for Merseyside's defense. It also supported anti-aircraft gun calibration and target towing for the Royal Navy, briefly becoming HMS Ringtail II in April 1945.

After a period of inactivity, Woodvale reopened in 1946, becoming home to No. 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, which flew Spitfires and later Gloster Meteor jets. From 1953 to 1958, the Temperature and Humidity Flight was based there, and the last operational flight by an RAF Spitfire took place from Woodvale in 1957. No. 5 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Unit operated target-towing Meteors from 1958 until its disbandment in 1971.

Since 1971, RAF Woodvale has primarily served as a training station. It is currently operated by the Royal Air Force under No. 22 Group (Training) and hosts several training units: Liverpool University Air Squadron, Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron, No. 10 Air Experience Flight, and No. 631 Volunteer Gliding Squadron. Additionally, No. 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force is based here. The station also has a civilian presence with the Woodvale Aircraft Owners Limited (WAOL). In 2011, RAF Woodvale was granted the Freedom of the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton. The station previously hosted the Merseyside Police Air Support Group, which experienced incidents of vandalism before its operations were reorganized and the helicopter leased to the Norwegian Police Service.