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
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
Rakvere Soviet helicopter base with the parking pads on a US satellite picture from July 1980
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
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