Sha Tin Airfield was a small military airfield in Sha
Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, which had a single concrete
runway. The airfield was located along the Shing Mun River and
looked out to Tide Cove. The airfield served as a Flight (military
unit) based for most of the location's existence.
The airfield was demolished in the early 1970s as the RAF
consolidated their operations at RAF Shek Kong and later
re-developed as part of the New Town project for Shatin.
In 1949, Sha Tin Airfield was built for use by the Royal Air
Force (as RAF Shatin). The designation as an RAF airfield
was brief and was transferred to the British Army's Army Air Corps
(AAC). In the 1950s and 1960, the AAC rotated in various Air
Observation Post Flight units from Britain to Hong Kong:
- No 20 Independent Reconnaissance Flight - Army Air Corps
- 1900 Air Observation Post Flight
- 1903 Air Observation Post Flight
- 8 Flight Army Air Corps
- 7 Flight Army Air Corps
- 25 Flight Army Air Corps
- 29 Flight Army Air Corps
- 16 Flight Army Air Corps
- 12 Flight Army Air Corps
The Air Observation Post were under the command of the 40th
Infantry Division.
The base operated the Auster AOP.6, an aircraft also used by the
Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force.
In 1962, Typhoon Wanda severely damaged much of the site.
Subsequently, the base was demolished in the early 1970s to make
way for developing the Sha Tin New Town.
During the late 1950s a private club used the airfield to fly RC
model airplanes. The club remained at the airfield until 1970.
Prior to 1949, the area was used briefly as an airfield. Belgian
pilot Charles den Bron flew his Spirit of Shatin from an airfield
in the area in 1911.