Predannack

Building work began for an RAF advanced night fighter base to protect the nearby ports of Falmouth and Penzance / Newlyn during 1940 and RAF Predannack Down opened in 1941 as part of Portreath Sector. RAF Predannack Down was the westernmost of a clutch of other RAF (non-flying) bases during WWII. RAF Dry Tree was a Chain Home radar station at Goonhilly, RAF Pen Olver near The Lizard was a Chain Home Low site and in 1942, RAF Trelanvean towards Coverack was built, as another CH site.

It later transferred to RAF Coastal Command until it went into care and maintenance on 1 Jun 1946. After a short period of experimental use by Vickers under the supervision of Barnes Wallis around 1951, the base was taken over by the Royal Navy on 15 Dec 1958.

The airfield was allocated the ICAO code EGDO but this fell out of use as it became a satellite airfield for nearby RNAS Culdrose, to handle intensive helicopter operations and as a relief landing ground.  There is also a small range on the site and the RN Fire Fighting School moved here in 1971.

Situated on the western side of the spectacular Lizard Peninsula, parts of the base away from the operational areas are within a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its combination of botanical (orchids), zoological (butterflies & snakes) and geological (bastite & serpentinite) uniqueness.

A plaque at the entrance, commemorating those who served at RAF Predannack Down during World War II was unveiled on 11 June 2002. It  reads:

Like a breath of wind gone in a fleeting second only the memories now remain.

Supporting recent Cornish initiatives in Aerospace, Predannacks proximity to UK Danger Areas EG_D005A and EG_D005B has led to it becoming popular for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System testing and courses, alongside its activities with 700(X) NAS with its UAVs.

The first flight of Leonardo Proteus capability demonstrator for the Royal Navy, took place here in Jan 2026.