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Coordinates: 50°59′05.3″N 6°53′29.1″E / 50.984806°N 6.891417°E / 50.984806; 6.891417 (Butzweilerhof Airport)
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{{short description|Former airport and airbase in Cologne, West Germany}}
{{Short description|Former airport of Cologne, West Germany (1912–1995)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox airport
{{Infobox airport
| name = Butzweilerhof
| name = Cologne Butzweilerhof Airport
| nativename = Flughafen Köln (1926-51)
| nativename = {{lang|de|Flughafen Köln-Butzweilerhof}}
| image =
| nativename-a = RAF Butzweilerhof (1951-67)
| image_size =
| nativename-r =
| image_alt =
⚫
| image = Bundesarchiv Bild 183-S28276, Köln, Flughafen, Haupteingang.jpg
| image2 =
| caption =
⚫
| image2 = Bundesarchiv Bild 183-S28276, Köln, Flughafen, Haupteingang.jpg
| image-width = 250
| caption2 = Main entrance, 1937
| image2-width =
| IATA =
| image2_size =
| ICAO = ETBB
| image2_alt =
| type = Defunct
| IATA = CGN
| owner =
| ICAO = EDCU, ETBB
| operator =
| type = Defunct
| owner =
| city-served = [[Cologne]]
| operator = ''various''
⚫
| coordinates = {{coord|50|59|05.3|N|6|53|29.1|E|type:airport_region:DE|display=inline,title|name=Butzweilerhof}}
| location = Cologne
| city-served =
| hub =
| location = [[Cologne]], [[West Germany]]
| r1-number = 04/22
| elevation-f = 158
| r1-length-f = 2133
| metric-elev = y
| built = {{start date|1912|||df=yes}}
⚫
| r1-length-m = 650
| opened = {{start date|1926|05|13|df=yes}}<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tajdel|first=Chantal|date=3 July 2006|title=Der 'Butz' in neuem Glanz|url=https://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1149702701803.shtml|website=KStA.de|language=de|publisher=[[Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220075006/https://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1149702701803.shtml|archive-date=20 December 2009}}</ref>
| passenger_services_ceased = {{end date|1980|||df=yes}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Müller|first=Werner|title=1980-1989 — Die Flieger müssen den Butz verlassen|url=http://www.luftfahrtarchiv-koeln.de/1980_start.htm|website=www.luftfahrtarchiv-koeln.de|language=de|access-date=6 April 2023}}</ref>
| closed = {{end date|1995|12|31|df=yes}}
| hub = [[Deutsche Luft Hansa]]
⚫
| coordinates = {{Coord|50|59|05.3|N|6|53|29.1|E|type:airport_region:DE-NW|display=inline,title|name=Butzweilerhof Airport}}
| r1-number = 04/22
| r1-length-f = 2390
⚫
| r1-length-m = 728
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]]
| metric-rwy = y
| footnotes = '''Sources:''' DoD FLIP<ref>{{Cite book|title=DoD Flight Information Publication (Enroute) - Supplement Europe, North Africa and Middle East|publisher=[[Defense Mapping Agency]]|year=1990|location=St. Louis, Missouri|pages=B-64–B-65}}</ref>
}}
}}


The '''Butzweilerhof''' is the former civil airport of [[Cologne]]. It was established as a training airfield in 1912 and saw airline service from 1922 until the 1950s. It was replaced by the [[Cologne Bonn Airport]]. The airport buildings from 1935-36 are listed monuments and a rare example of airport architecture from the [[Interwar Period]]. From 1951 to 1967 it was operated by the [[Royal Air Force]] as [[RAF Butzweilerhof]].
'''Butzweilerhof''' was an [[airport]] of [[Cologne]] in [[West Germany]]. It was established as a training airfield in [[1912 in aviation|1912]], and saw airline service from 1922 until the 1950s. It was replaced by the [[Cologne Bonn Airport]]. The airport buildings from 1935-36 are registered as listed monuments, and a rare example of airport architecture from the [[interwar period]]. From 1951 to 1967, it was operated by the [[Royal Air Force]] as [[RAF Butzweilerhof]].<ref name=rafweb>{{Cite web|last1=Barrass|first1=M B|last2=Noad|first2=Colin|url=https://rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-B.htm#Butzweilerhof|title=RAF Butzweilerhof|website=rafweb.org|publisher=Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation|access-date=17 April 2023}}</ref>


== History ==
==History==
Before regular aviation activities at Butzweilerhof started, the area north of Cologne was sporadically used by [[airships]]. The military [[Zeppelin]] Z II arrived in Cologne in August 1909 and was based in a nearby hangar until it was destroyed in a storm in April 1910. In addition a [[blimp]] designed and manufactured 1909 by Clouth Gummiwerke from nearby suburb [[Nippes, Cologne|Nippes]] was temporarily stored at this hangar.<ref name="zivile Luftfahrt">80 Jahre zivile Luftfahrt in Köln''; HG: Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH und Stiftung Butzweilerhof. Köln, 2006, {{ISBN|3-7616-1995-2}}, German</ref>
Before regular aviation activities at Butzweilerhof started, the area north of Cologne was sporadically used by [[airship]]s. The military [[Zeppelin]] Z II arrived in Cologne in August [[1909 in aviation|1909]], and was based in a nearby hangar until it was destroyed in a storm in April 1910. In addition, a [[blimp]] designed and manufactured 1909 by Clouth Gummiwerke from nearby suburb [[Nippes, Cologne|Nippes]] was temporarily stored at this hangar.<ref name="zivile Luftfahrt">80 Jahre zivile Luftfahrt in Köln''; HG: Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH und Stiftung Butzweilerhof. Köln, 2006, {{ISBN|3-7616-1995-2}}, German</ref>
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1972-003-64, Flugzeug Rumpler-Taube nach dem Start.jpg|thumb|[[Rumpler Taube]] taking off from Butzweilerhof in 1913/14]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1972-003-64, Flugzeug Rumpler-Taube nach dem Start.jpg|thumb|[[Rumpler Taube]] taking off from Butzweilerhof in 1913/14|alt=]]


=== Beginnings and World War I ===
===Beginnings and World War I===
In 1912 the [[Luftstreitkräfte|Air Arm of the Imperial Army (Luftstreitkräfte)]] established an air station at Butzweilerhof and hangars, maintenance facilities as well staff accommodations were built. The station went fully operational in spring 1913 and was used for initial pilot training before and during [[World War I]]. Among the pilots receiving their first flying lessons at Butzweilerhof was [[Manfred von Richthofen]].
In [[1912 in aviation|1912]], the [[Luftstreitkräfte|Air Arm of the Imperial Army (Luftstreitkräfte)]] established an air station at Butzweilerhof; and hangars, maintenance facilities, as well staff accommodation were built.<ref name=ForgottenAirfields>{{Cite web|author=Ronald V.|date=14 March 2012|url=https://forgottenairfields.com/airfield-butzweilerhof-449.html|title=Butzweilerhof|website=ForgottenAirfields.com|location=Netherlands|publisher=Abandoned forgotten & little known airfields in Europe|access-date=17 April 2023}}</ref> The station became fully operational in spring 1913, and was used for initial pilot training before and during [[World War I]]. Among the pilots receiving their first flying lessons at Butzweilerhof was [[Manfred von Richthofen]] (later to be known as the 'Red Baron').<ref name=rafweb/>


=== Interwar period ===
===Interwar period===
After the war the [[Royal Air Force]] used the airfield primarily in a supply role for British troops. From 1922 [[Instone Air Line]] provided a first regular passenger service to [[London]] via [[Brussels]]. The airfield was returned to the city of Cologne in 1925 and the civil airport was officially opened one year later. In order to fulfil requirements of modern aircraft adjacent property was bought. The enlarged airfield had a circular shape and occupied around 30 hectares. Then mayor of Cologne [[Konrad Adenauer]] supported the development of Butzweilerhof into a modern airport, but due to limited financial resources only small progress was made during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Some facilities in use still originated from the imperial air station, while newer ones were basic and partially made of wood.
After the war, the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) used the airfield primarily in a supply role for British troops, and included an airmail service.<ref name=rafweb/> From 1922, [[Instone Air Line]] provided a first regular passenger service to [[London]] via [[Brussels]].<ref name=rafweb/> The airfield was returned to the city of Cologne in [[1925 in aviation|1925]], and the civil airport was officially opened one year later. In order to fulfil requirements of modern aircraft, adjacent property was bought. The enlarged airfield had a circular shape and occupied around {{Convert|30|ha|abbr=off|lk=on}}. The then mayor of Cologne [[Konrad Adenauer]] supported the development of Butzweilerhof into a modern airport,<ref name=ForgottenAirfields/> but due to limited financial resources, only small progress was made during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Some facilities in use still originated from the imperial air station, while newer ones were basic and partially made of wood.


After 1933 the expansion plans were adopted by the new national-socialist government of Cologne and a major expansion project started in 1935. It served as a job creating program for around 1,100 unemployed. In the course of this project a new airport complex consisting of a passenger building, workshops, two hangars and a control tower was erected. The new facilities were opened after only one year of construction time in June 1936, a few weeks prior to the Olympic Games in Berlin.
After [[1933 in aviation|1933]], the expansion plans were adopted by the new national-socialist government of Cologne, and a major expansion project started in 1935. It served as a job creating programme for around 1,100 unemployed. In the course of this project, a new airport complex consisting of a passenger building, workshops, two [[hangar]]s, and a [[control tower]] was erected. The new facilities were opened after only one year of construction time in June 1936,<ref name=ForgottenAirfields/> a few weeks prior to the [[Olympic Games in Berlin]].


Largest operator was pre-war [[Deutsche Luft Hansa]]. Foreign operator such as [[Imperial Airways]], [[Air France]] and [[Sabena]] accounted for approximately one out of four movements. For some time Butzweilerhof was second in Germany only to [[Berlin Tempelhof]] and dubbed ''Luftkreuz des Westens (Air Junction of the West)''. Traffic figures reached a peak in 1938 with 6,390 aircraft departures as well as 49,938 arriving and departing passengers.
Largest operator pre-war was [[Deutsche Luft Hansa]]. Foreign operators such as [[Imperial Airways]], [[Air France]], and [[Sabena]] accounted for approximately one out of four movements. For some time, Butzweilerhof was second in Germany only to [[Berlin Tempelhof]],<ref name=rafweb/> and dubbed ''Luftkreuz des Westens (Air junction of the West)''. Traffic figures reached a peak in [[1938 in aviation|1938]] with 6,390 aircraft departures as well as 49,938 arriving and departing passengers.


=== World War II and Cold War ===
===World War II and Cold War===
During [[World War II]] Butzweilerhof was predominately used for emergency landings and as field repair station for fighter aircraft. The [[Royal Air Force]] moved in again after the war and the airfield became [[RAF Butzweilerhof]]. Some airline service was restarted but ceased with the opening of [[Cologne Bonn Airport]].
During [[World War II]], Butzweilerhof was predominately used for emergency landings and as field repair station for [[fighter aircraft]]. The [[Royal Air Force]] moved in again after the war and the airfield became [[RAF Butzweilerhof]].<ref name=rafweb/><ref name=ForgottenAirfields/> Some airline service was restarted, but ceased with the opening of [[Cologne Bonn Airport]].


The RAF base closed in the 1960s and some airport facilities were subsequently used by non-flying units of the [[Bundeswehr|German Army]]. The airfield stayed in use until 1996 by army aviation units of the [[Belgian Armed Forces]] from nearby barracks.
The RAF base closed in the 1960s, and some airport facilities were subsequently used by non-flying units of the [[Bundeswehr|German Army]]. The airfield stayed in use until 1996 by army aviation units of the [[Belgian Armed Forces]] from nearby barracks.<ref name=ForgottenAirfields/>


== Airport buildings ==
==Airport buildings==
[[File:Butzweilerhof portal.jpg|thumb|Landside portal from 1936 with relief]] [[File:Butzweiler-hof-empfangshalle.jpg|thumb|Passenger Hall]]
[[File:Butzweilerhof portal.jpg|thumb|Landside portal from 1936 with relief|alt=]]
[[File:Butzweiler-hof-empfangshalle.jpg|thumb|Passenger Hall|alt=]]
[[File:Butzweilerhof-Aerial.png|thumb|Aerial view]]
The airport buildings from 1935-36 were designed by [[Hans Mehrtens]], Chief Building Director of Cologne since 1930. An airport road was built in straight line to the city centre and the airport facilities were positioned directly at its end. The group of buildings is approximately 270 meters long and arranged slightly curved to follow the perimeter of the circular airfield.
The airport buildings from 1935-36 were designed by Hans Mehrtens, Chief Building Director of Cologne since 1930. An airport road was built in straight line to the city centre, and the airport facilities were positioned directly at its end. The group of buildings is approximately {{Convert|270|m|abbr=off}} long and arranged slightly curved to follow the perimeter of the circular airfield.


=== Passenger building ===
===Passenger building===
The ''passenger building'' is a two-storey flat roof construction parallel to the airfield perimeter. The passenger traverses the building through the lobby which is aligned with the former airport road and divides the building into a western and eastern wing. Arriving passengers were looking directly at the distant [[Cologne Cathedral]] when leaving the building to the landside.
The ''passenger building'' is a two-storey flat roof construction parallel to the airfield perimeter. The passenger traverses the building through the lobby which is aligned with the former airport road, and divides the building into a western and eastern wing. Arriving passengers were looking directly at the distant [[Cologne Cathedral]] when leaving the building to the landside.


The landside portal of the lobby is decorated with a relief made by the sculptor Willi Meller and features the eagle of the [[Weimar Republic]] and three crowns derived from coat of arms of Cologne.
The landside portal of the lobby is decorated with a relief made by the sculptor Willi Meller, and features the eagle of the [[Weimar Republic]] and three crowns derived from [[coat of arms]] of Cologne.


Most of the ground level is brought forward towards the tarmac to form roof terraces. The west wing houses a café and a restaurant while the east wing was occupied by airport and airline offices.
Most of the ground level is brought forward towards the tarmac to form roof terraces. The west wing houses a café and a restaurant, while the east wing was occupied by airport and airline offices.


=== Workshops ===
===Workshops===
The workshops (''Betriebshof'') were located in a horseshoe-shaped one storey building. Staff and maintenance facilities are grouped around an inner courtyard, while several parking garages provided direct airside access for [[ambulance|ambulance vehicles]] and [[fire engine]]s. The building was heavily altered after the war and several extensions had to be broken-up to recreate the original state.
The workshops (''Betriebshof'') were located in a horseshoe-shaped one storey building. Staff and maintenance facilities are grouped around an inner courtyard, while several parking garages provided direct airside access for [[Ambulance|ambulance vehicles]] and [[fire engine]]s. The building was heavily altered after the war, and several extensions had to be broken-up to recreate the original state.


=== Hangar I ===
===Hangar I===
''Hangar I'' has interior dimensions of 68.4 meters in width and 34.8 meters in depth. It is large enough to accommodate several contemporary [[Junkers Ju 52|Junkers Ju 52/3m]] with a wingspan of 29 meters and a length of 19 meters. The building was lastly used as repair facility for heavy military vehicles and had the original hangar doors replaced with roll-up doors.
''Hangar I'' has interior dimensions of {{Convert|68.4|m|abbr=off}} in width and {{Convert|34.8|m|abbr=off}} in depth. It is large enough to accommodate several contemporary [[Junkers Ju 52|Junkers Ju 52/3m]] with a wingspan of {{Convert|29|m|abbr=off}} and a length of {{Convert|19|m|abbr=off}}. The building was lastly used as repair facility for heavy military vehicles, and had the original [[hangar]] doors replaced with roll-up doors.


=== Control Tower ===
===Control Tower===
[[File:Butzweilerhof-tower.jpg|thumbnail|Control Tower]]
[[File:Butzweilerhof-tower.jpg|thumb|Control Tower and Hangar I|alt=]]
The ''Control Tower'' completes the airport complex and sets an antipode to the passenger lobby at the opposite end. The tower features strips of ribbon windows in [[Bauhaus]] style. The control level on top is glazed all around and had to be reconstructed after its accidental demolition during the war.
The ''Control Tower'' completes the airport complex and sets an antipode to the passenger lobby at the opposite end. The tower features strips of ribbon windows in [[Bauhaus]] style. The control level on top is glazed all around and had to be reconstructed after its accidental demolition during the war.


=== Hangar II ===
===Hangar II===
A second hangar with roughly the same dimensions as Hangar I was erected in right angle behind the control tower. On two sides the building is surrounded by classrooms that were used for training of flying staff and maintenance personnel. The hangar still features the original hangar doors.
A second hangar with roughly the same dimensions as Hangar I was erected in right angle behind the control tower. On two sides, the building is surrounded by classrooms that were used for training of flying staff and maintenance personnel. The hangar still features the original hangar doors.


== Current days ==
==Current use==
The premises of the former airfield were primarily used to extend the nearby business park while the airport buildings underwent restoration.
The premises of the former [[airfield]] were primarily used to extend the nearby [[business park]], while the airport buildings underwent restoration.


=== Airport buildings ===
===Airport buildings===
The airport buildings - listed as monuments since 1988 – were extensively renovated between 1995 and 2007 with the intention to use them for cultural activities and an aviation museum. The apron will be converted into a park to form the centre of the new suburb ''Butzweilerhof''.<ref>[http://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1246883812687.shtml KstA “Restoration works at Butzweilerhof“ 23 August 2009 (German)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920231701/http://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1246883812687.shtml |date=20 September 2011 }}</ref>
The airport buildings, listed as protected heritage monuments since 1988, were extensively renovated between 1995 and 2007, with the intention to use them for cultural activities and an aviation museum. The apron will be converted into a park to form the centre of the new suburb ''Butzweilerhof''.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Von Heribert Rösgen|date=23 August 2009|url=http://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1246883812687.shtml|title=KstA Restoration works at Butzweilerhof|website=KstA.de|language=German|publisher=[[Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920231701/http://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1246883812687.shtml|archive-date=20 September 2011}}</ref>


=== Airfield ===
===Airfield===
The former airfield as well as its surroundings were temporarily used for activities such as music festivals and than gradually converted into a business park. In 2010 the [[Stadtbahn]] was extended from a nearby terminus to Butzweilerhof.
The former airfield as well as its surroundings were temporarily used for activities such as music festivals, and then gradually converted into a business park.<ref name=ForgottenAirfields/> In 2010, the [[Cologne Stadtbahn]] was extended from a nearby terminus to Butzweilerhof.


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


===Sources===
⚫
== External links ==
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite journal |last=Böhlke |first=Thomas |date=2005 |editor-last=Groten |editor-first=Manfred |editor2-last=Soénius |editor2-first=Ulrich S. |editor3-last=Wunsch |editor3-first=Stefan |title=Die Flughäfen in Köln – vom Butzweilerhof bis zum Flughafen Köln/Bonn in Wahn |journal=Jahrbuch des Kölnischen Geschichtsvereins |language=de |publisher=Kölnischer Geschichtsverein e. V. |issue=75 |pages=197–251 |isbn=3894981504 |issn=0341-9320}}
{{refend}}

⚫
==External links==
{{Sister project links}}
{{Sister project links}}
* [http://www.butzweilerhof.de Foundation Butzweilerhof (German)]
*[http://www.butzweilerhof.de Foundation Butzweilerhof](German) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527163311/http://www.butzweilerhof.de/ |date=27 May 2011 }}
* [http://www.regionale2010.de Regionale 2010, project details restoration of airport buildings Butzweilerhof (German)]
*[https://www.regionale2010.de Regionale 2010, project details restoration of airport buildings Butzweilerhof] (German)


{{Portalbar|Germany|Aviation}}
{{Portal bar|Germany|Aviation|History}}
{{Airports in Germany}}
{{Airports in Germany}}
⚫
{{Authority control}}

⚫
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Defunct airports in Germany]]
[[Category:Defunct airports in Germany]]
[[Category:Ehrenfeld, Cologne]]
[[Category:Ehrenfeld, Cologne]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1912]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1912]]
[[Category:Airports disestablished in 1996]]
[[Category:1912 establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:1912 establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:1996 disestablishments in Germany]]
[[Category:Airports in North Rhine-Westphalia]]
[[Category:Airports in North Rhine-Westphalia]]

Latest revision as of 22:36, 30 September 2024

Cologne Butzweilerhof Airport

Flughafen Köln-Butzweilerhof
Main entrance, 1937
Summary
Airport typeDefunct
Operatorvarious
LocationCologne, West Germany
Opened13 May 1926 (1926-05-13)[1]
Closed31 December 1995 (1995-12-31)
Passenger services ceased1980 (1980)[2]
Hub forDeutsche Luft Hansa
Built1912 (1912)
Elevation AMSL48 m / 158 ft
Coordinates50°59′05.3″N 6°53′29.1″E / 50.984806°N 6.891417°E / 50.984806; 6.891417 (Butzweilerhof Airport)
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
04/22 728 2,390 asphalt
Sources: DoD FLIP[3]

Butzweilerhof was an airport of Cologne in West Germany. It was established as a training airfield in 1912, and saw airline service from 1922 until the 1950s. It was replaced by the Cologne Bonn Airport. The airport buildings from 1935-36 are registered as listed monuments, and a rare example of airport architecture from the interwar period. From 1951 to 1967, it was operated by the Royal Air Force as RAF Butzweilerhof.[4]

History

[edit]

Before regular aviation activities at Butzweilerhof started, the area north of Cologne was sporadically used by airships. The military Zeppelin Z II arrived in Cologne in August 1909, and was based in a nearby hangar until it was destroyed in a storm in April 1910. In addition, a blimp designed and manufactured 1909 by Clouth Gummiwerke from nearby suburb Nippes was temporarily stored at this hangar.[5]

Rumpler Taube taking off from Butzweilerhof in 1913/14

Beginnings and World War I

[edit]

In 1912, the Air Arm of the Imperial Army (Luftstreitkräfte) established an air station at Butzweilerhof; and hangars, maintenance facilities, as well staff accommodation were built.[6] The station became fully operational in spring 1913, and was used for initial pilot training before and during World War I. Among the pilots receiving their first flying lessons at Butzweilerhof was Manfred von Richthofen (later to be known as the 'Red Baron').[4]

Interwar period

[edit]

After the war, the Royal Air Force (RAF) used the airfield primarily in a supply role for British troops, and included an airmail service.[4] From 1922, Instone Air Line provided a first regular passenger service to London via Brussels.[4] The airfield was returned to the city of Cologne in 1925, and the civil airport was officially opened one year later. In order to fulfil requirements of modern aircraft, adjacent property was bought. The enlarged airfield had a circular shape and occupied around 30 hectares (74 acres). The then mayor of Cologne Konrad Adenauer supported the development of Butzweilerhof into a modern airport,[6] but due to limited financial resources, only small progress was made during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Some facilities in use still originated from the imperial air station, while newer ones were basic and partially made of wood.

After 1933, the expansion plans were adopted by the new national-socialist government of Cologne, and a major expansion project started in 1935. It served as a job creating programme for around 1,100 unemployed. In the course of this project, a new airport complex consisting of a passenger building, workshops, two hangars, and a control tower was erected. The new facilities were opened after only one year of construction time in June 1936,[6] a few weeks prior to the Olympic Games in Berlin.

Largest operator pre-war was Deutsche Luft Hansa. Foreign operators such as Imperial Airways, Air France, and Sabena accounted for approximately one out of four movements. For some time, Butzweilerhof was second in Germany only to Berlin Tempelhof,[4] and dubbed Luftkreuz des Westens (Air junction of the West). Traffic figures reached a peak in 1938 with 6,390 aircraft departures as well as 49,938 arriving and departing passengers.

World War II and Cold War

[edit]

During World War II, Butzweilerhof was predominately used for emergency landings and as field repair station for fighter aircraft. The Royal Air Force moved in again after the war and the airfield became RAF Butzweilerhof.[4][6] Some airline service was restarted, but ceased with the opening of Cologne Bonn Airport.

The RAF base closed in the 1960s, and some airport facilities were subsequently used by non-flying units of the German Army. The airfield stayed in use until 1996 by army aviation units of the Belgian Armed Forces from nearby barracks.[6]

Airport buildings

[edit]
Landside portal from 1936 with relief
Passenger Hall
Aerial view

The airport buildings from 1935-36 were designed by Hans Mehrtens, Chief Building Director of Cologne since 1930. An airport road was built in straight line to the city centre, and the airport facilities were positioned directly at its end. The group of buildings is approximately 270 metres (890 feet) long and arranged slightly curved to follow the perimeter of the circular airfield.

Passenger building

[edit]

The passenger building is a two-storey flat roof construction parallel to the airfield perimeter. The passenger traverses the building through the lobby which is aligned with the former airport road, and divides the building into a western and eastern wing. Arriving passengers were looking directly at the distant Cologne Cathedral when leaving the building to the landside.

The landside portal of the lobby is decorated with a relief made by the sculptor Willi Meller, and features the eagle of the Weimar Republic and three crowns derived from coat of arms of Cologne.

Most of the ground level is brought forward towards the tarmac to form roof terraces. The west wing houses a café and a restaurant, while the east wing was occupied by airport and airline offices.

Workshops

[edit]

The workshops (Betriebshof) were located in a horseshoe-shaped one storey building. Staff and maintenance facilities are grouped around an inner courtyard, while several parking garages provided direct airside access for ambulance vehicles and fire engines. The building was heavily altered after the war, and several extensions had to be broken-up to recreate the original state.

Hangar I

[edit]

Hangar I has interior dimensions of 68.4 metres (224 feet) in width and 34.8 metres (114 feet) in depth. It is large enough to accommodate several contemporary Junkers Ju 52/3m with a wingspan of 29 metres (95 feet) and a length of 19 metres (62 feet). The building was lastly used as repair facility for heavy military vehicles, and had the original hangar doors replaced with roll-up doors.

Control Tower

[edit]
Control Tower and Hangar I

The Control Tower completes the airport complex and sets an antipode to the passenger lobby at the opposite end. The tower features strips of ribbon windows in Bauhaus style. The control level on top is glazed all around and had to be reconstructed after its accidental demolition during the war.

Hangar II

[edit]

A second hangar with roughly the same dimensions as Hangar I was erected in right angle behind the control tower. On two sides, the building is surrounded by classrooms that were used for training of flying staff and maintenance personnel. The hangar still features the original hangar doors.

Current use

[edit]

The premises of the former airfield were primarily used to extend the nearby business park, while the airport buildings underwent restoration.

Airport buildings

[edit]

The airport buildings, listed as protected heritage monuments since 1988, were extensively renovated between 1995 and 2007, with the intention to use them for cultural activities and an aviation museum. The apron will be converted into a park to form the centre of the new suburb Butzweilerhof.[7]

Airfield

[edit]

The former airfield as well as its surroundings were temporarily used for activities such as music festivals, and then gradually converted into a business park.[6] In 2010, the Cologne Stadtbahn was extended from a nearby terminus to Butzweilerhof.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Tajdel, Chantal (3 July 2006). "Der 'Butz' in neuem Glanz". KStA.de (in German). Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. Archived from the original on 20 December 2009.
  2. ^ Müller, Werner. "1980-1989 — Die Flieger müssen den Butz verlassen". www.luftfahrtarchiv-koeln.de (in German). Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  3. ^ DoD Flight Information Publication (Enroute) - Supplement Europe, North Africa and Middle East. St. Louis, Missouri: Defense Mapping Agency. 1990. pp. B-64–B-65.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Barrass, M B; Noad, Colin. "RAF Butzweilerhof". rafweb.org. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  5. ^ 80 Jahre zivile Luftfahrt in Köln; HG: Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH und Stiftung Butzweilerhof. Köln, 2006, ISBN 3-7616-1995-2, German
  6. ^ a b c d e f Ronald V. (14 March 2012). "Butzweilerhof". ForgottenAirfields.com. Netherlands: Abandoned forgotten & little known airfields in Europe. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  7. ^ Von Heribert Rösgen (23 August 2009). "KstA Restoration works at Butzweilerhof". KstA.de (in German). Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. Archived from the original on 20 September 2011.

Sources

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  • Böhlke, Thomas (2005). Groten, Manfred; Soénius, Ulrich S.; Wunsch, Stefan (eds.). "Die Flughäfen in Köln – vom Butzweilerhof bis zum Flughafen Köln/Bonn in Wahn". Jahrbuch des Kölnischen Geschichtsvereins (in German) (75). Kölnischer Geschichtsverein e. V.: 197–251. ISBN 3894981504. ISSN 0341-9320.
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