Kalafrana

Kalafrana (& seaplane photos. See also the Sunderland page)

Established in 1916.
The airbase at Kalafrana was used for flying boats (Sunderlands).
In the bay lay the sunken wreck of the Breconshire sunk in March 1942.

Kalafrana taken October 1936.
Photo courtesy of Norman Tarrant.

Nothing remains of the Kalafrana base today. It has been built over by the container base.
Photo I took in 2008

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

Saro London Seaplane
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

Presentation of the units badge by the Governer Sir Bonham Carter
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

French Seaplane probably just before the war.
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

Remains of a 'Queen Bee' after naval target practice
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

'The French Leading Machine'
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

Walrus
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

Walrus at sea coming alongside
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

Italian mail plane taken prewar
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

French Seaplane
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

Possibly the same aircraft type as the one on the right
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

Italian Flying boat crashed in Marsa Bay, June 1935
Photo courtesy of Norman Tarrant

Boat used for refueling seaplanes.
On the back of the photo the caption read 'What the heat did'
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

Probably taken at Kalafrana as various seaplanes can be seen at the top.
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

Sports Day 1939. Sam Betton with hands in pockets.
Photo supplied by John A.Lester

Sports Day 1939.
Photo supplied by John A.Lester

Taken at Kalafrana ?
Photo courtesy of Desmond Evans.

This block of 4 photos showing recovery of seaplane at Kalafrana courtesy of Cheryl Beasley.

These 3 photos are a bit of unseen history.

Taken in 1938 it shows the evacuaton of RAF personnel from Kalafrana. Undoubtedly the MOD of the day saw a war coming & wanted to relocate personnel to the best advantage.

HMS Maidstone to the right was at readiness for sea when these photos were taken. The back of these photos show their was a real panic on.

HMS Maidstone can be seen elsewhere on the site as a submarine resupply vessel.

All photos courtesy of Cheryl Beasley

The Kalafrana Harmonica Band. Christmas 1938

RAF Dance Band. Kalafrana Christmas 1938.

Mrs. Jacqueline Pettman (nee Baker) has requested information or service photo of her father Warrant Officer Edward Thomas Baker 327422
who served in the RAF at Kalafrana.
If anyone can help please contact Jacqueline here.