Welcome

Hello and welcome to HMS Tern Living Museum blog. We aim to talk about our activities on this page as the museum develops over time and as we re-create the atmosphere of a Second World War airfield. We have many exciting plans for the huge site, but first a little about the history of HMS Tern or as it was also known RNAS Twatt – named after the local area in Orkney.

The airfield was opened on April 1, 1941, and primarily served as a training facility throughout the Second World War. Many aircraft temporarily visited HMS Tern after departing from airfield carriers in Scapa Flow. An example of a unit that remained at the airfield for a longer duration is No. 700 Squadron. Between June 1942 and its disbandment in 1944, this squadron provided final training for catapult aircraft crews before they embarked on their ships.

No. 771 Squadron also came from Hatston around the same time as No. 700 Squadron and stayed for three years. This unit served as a Fleet Requirements Unit (FRU) and operated a wide variety of aircraft types in different roles to support the fleet based at Scapa Flow. The aircraft used included Bristol Blenheims, Boulton Paul Defiants, Gloster Sea Gladiators, and Vought-Sikorsky Hoverfly helicopters.

During the Second World War, frontline squadrons were based at the site, operating Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers and Fairey Fulmar fighters.

The airfield was one of the earliest purpose-built naval airfields in Britain, featuring four hard runways and associated facilities. Its control tower is particularly distinctive, as it was built on top of the operations block. The main technical area was located to the southwest, with additional hangars and dispersal areas spread throughout the airfield. While none of the hangars remain, several buildings still stand on the site, including the control tower and operations block, various support buildings, and pillboxes.

The following organisations are either based at, use and/or have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield :

• Birsay Community Council
• Birsay Heritage Trust