@ kilo delta
From what I've heard the RAF's 106sqn was briefly based in Athlone during 1918. They were equipped with RE8's.
Not quite!
106 Sqn did not arrived in Athlone until January 1919.
Sites dotted around Ireland had been selected by Maj.Sholto Douglas during the early summer of 1917. These
were to house Training Depot Stations to facilitate the planned expansion of the Royal Flying Corps.
The 18th Sqn Royal Flying Corps arrived in Athlone February/March 1918 and established a bombing practice range on Lough Ree.
Then came the name change to Royal Air Force on 1st April 1918 and new Squadrons were formed up.
Athlone based RFC personnel were part of 55 Squadron which later formed part of the Independent Air Force.
On 30 May 1918 105 Squadron arrived at Omagh and 106 Squadron arrived at Fermoy.
Detachments of 106 Squadron were sent from Fermoy to Athlone and Oranmore between January and October 1919, to Birr
between August and September 1919, and again in October.
@hugo
The M6 custs through the 3rd field to the north, and there is now a lane through the strip which splits field 1&2 on the map. the southerly part of the strip is now the N6(The roadway was further back then)
Dawsons garage is long gone,20 Years maybe! i assumed you knew the area,Sorry for that!
They are presently assembling a new showroom on the site, not certain for whom. The original Mullingar turn was forther back and ran alongside the stream into Ballykieran, that strip ran a little past where the MG turn is today. Bullit road never existed there until the 50's.