Liangping Airport
Encyclopedia
Liangping Airport , also called Wanzhou Liangping Airport, is a former dual-use military and civil airport, located west of Liangping (formerly called Liangshan) in Chongqing
Municipality, China
. It served the city of Wanxian (now Wanzhou District
) from July 1988 until May 2003 when all flights were transferred to the new Wanzhou Wuqiao Airport.
, the airport was known as Liangshan (Liang Shan) Airfield and was used by the United States Army Air Forces
Fourteenth Air Force
as part of the China Defensive Campaign (1942–1945). The airport was primarily used by transport units, flying C-47 Skytrain
in and out of the airport carry supplies, troops and equipment. In addition, unarmed P-38 Lightning
photo-reconnaissance aircraft flew from the airport, gathering intelligence over Japanese-held areas. The airport was defended by the 426th Night Fighter Squadron, which operated P-61 Black Widow
interceptors on night missions against any attacking enemy aircraft in the Chongqing area. The Americans closed their facilities at the airport at the end of the war.
The airport was opened to commercial flights on 14 July 1988, and over the years had routes to Chengdu, Wuhan, Xi'an, Chongqing, and Guangzhou. During its heyday in 1992 and 1993, Liangping Airport was the 54th busiest among the 110 airports then in China. The airport had its final commercial flight on 25 May 2003.
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
Municipality, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. It served the city of Wanxian (now Wanzhou District
Wanzhou District
Wanzhou District , formerly Wanxian or Wan County is a district of Chongqing Municipality of the People's Republic of China. The urban area of Wanzhou, located in the northern part of the district and on the upper reaches of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River, is 228 km away from downtown...
) from July 1988 until May 2003 when all flights were transferred to the new Wanzhou Wuqiao Airport.
History
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the airport was known as Liangshan (Liang Shan) Airfield and was used by the United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
Fourteenth Air Force
Fourteenth Air Force
The Fourteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Space Command . It is headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California....
as part of the China Defensive Campaign (1942–1945). The airport was primarily used by transport units, flying C-47 Skytrain
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
in and out of the airport carry supplies, troops and equipment. In addition, unarmed P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
photo-reconnaissance aircraft flew from the airport, gathering intelligence over Japanese-held areas. The airport was defended by the 426th Night Fighter Squadron, which operated P-61 Black Widow
P-61 Black Widow
The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the first operational U.S. military aircraft designed specifically for night interception of aircraft, and was the first aircraft specifically designed to use radar. It was an all-metal, twin-engine, twin-boom design developed during World War II...
interceptors on night missions against any attacking enemy aircraft in the Chongqing area. The Americans closed their facilities at the airport at the end of the war.
The airport was opened to commercial flights on 14 July 1988, and over the years had routes to Chengdu, Wuhan, Xi'an, Chongqing, and Guangzhou. During its heyday in 1992 and 1993, Liangping Airport was the 54th busiest among the 110 airports then in China. The airport had its final commercial flight on 25 May 2003.