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Rakvere: Airfield / Heliport

Rakwere, Раквере

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN592206 E0262121 (WGS84) Google Maps
Map with location of Rakvere Heliport
The history of the Cold War airfields: Rakvere

General

Rakvere is located in the northeast of Estonia. During the Cold War, there was an air base of the Soviet Air Force and later a heliport. Today, the airfield is closed.

Location of airfield

North of Rakvere.

During the Cold War

Use

Soviet airfield and later helicopter base.

In the 1940s

History

  • 1949
    The field is occupied by 40 to 50 Soviet Il-2 aircraft. (Source: CIA)

In the 1950s

Overview

Map of Rakvere airfield, Estonia, early 1950s
Rakvere airfield in the early 1950s
Source: CIA

History

  • Early 1950s
    The southern boundary of the field runs parallel to the railway. In the north and northwest the airfield is bordered by a forest area. The total area of the airfield is approx. 1,500 x 1,200 m, the landing area is approx. 1,200 x 800 m. The landing area is covered with grass, there are apparently no paved runways or taxiways. In the northwest and northeast there are about 40 aircraft revetments. In the southern part there are destroyed hangars and buildings.
  • The field is occupied by about 50 Il-2 and 10 to 15 U-2. The airfield is also served by the scheduled flight Leningrad-Tallinn daily. (Source: CIA)
  • October 1957
    US agencies count 40 unspecifiable aircraft at the airfield. (Source: CIA)

In the 1980s and early 1990s

Overview

Soviet helicopter base Rakvere, Estonia, on a satellite picture July 1980
Rakvere Soviet helicopter base with the parking pads on a US satellite picture from July 1980
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Rakvere airfield 1980
Satellite image from July 1980 - Unfortunately, the visibility is impaired by clouds. However, it can be seen that additional parking pads have been added in the south.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Runways

  • 15/33 ?: 250 m ?

History

  • Early 1990s
    "I was a little kid at that time and spent my summers quite close to that place admiring helicopters and parachute jumps. If I remember correctly, there was a small number of helicopters present in the beginning of 1990s, maybe 4 or 5, but don't take it as 100% truth.
    I'm pretty sure some of the helicopters there were helicopters with coaxial rotors, most probably some kind of Kamovs."
    Madis

Today

Use

Closed.

Sources

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