Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:
Florida, Northern Pensacola area
© 2002, © 2005 by Paul Freeman. Revised 3/28/05.
Bell's Field NOLF (revised 1/1/05) - Clay Pits NOLF (revised 1/1/05) - German's Field NOLF (added 2/26/04)
Stump Field NOLF (revised 1/1/05) - Y Field NOLF / Field 35307 (revised 2/27/04) - Z Field NOLF (revised 3/28/05)
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Y Field Naval Outlying Landing Field / Field 35307, Pensacola, FL
30.45 North / 87.28 West (West of Pensacola Regional Airport, FL)
"Y Field", as depicted on a 1939 map of NAS Pensacola & its satellite fields (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
Y Field was one of the large number of auxiliary fields which were established by the Navy
in the late 1930s to support flight training operations at the Pensacola Flight School.
The date of establishment of Y Field has not been determined.
It was not listed in The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo).
The earliest depiction of Y Field which has been located
was on a 1939 map of NAS Pensacola & its satellite fields (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
It depicted Y Field simply as a rectangular area,
and it was extremely small for a Navy airfield, even for an auxiliary field in the 1930s.
A 1941 USDA aerial view of Y Field,
from the Digital Library Center / University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
The airfield consisted of a very small rectangular grass area,
and there did not appear to be any buildings or other aviation facilities associated with the field.
By 1945, Y Field had apparently been renamed as Field "35307",
as that is how it was labeled on the February 1945 Mobile Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Y Field / Field 35307 was apparently abandoned by the Navy at some point between 1945-49,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the 1949 Mobile Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
As seen in the 1999 USGS aerial photo of the site of Y Field,
the area has been extensively redeveloped with housing & other buildings,
and not a trace appears to remain of the former Navy airfield.
The site of Y Field is located north of the intersection of Route 90 & Wabash Avenue.
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Z Field Naval Outlying Landing Field, Pensacola, FL
30.43 North / 87.28 West (Southwest of Pensacola Regional Airport, FL)
"Z Field", as depicted on a 1932 Navy plat of “Properties Comprising Z Field” (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
Z Field was one of the large number of auxiliary fields which were established by the Navy
to support flight training operations at the Pensacola Flight School.
According to Brian Rehwinkel, the Navy began the process of leasing approximately 190 acres of land
(from three different land owners) for Z Field in late 1929.
The earliest depiction of Z Field which has been located
was on a 1932 Navy plat of “Properties Comprising Z Field” (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
It indicated that 73 acres of the field were owned by H. Ferris,
and 107 acres were owned by L. Daniel.
The 1934 USGS topo map (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel)
depicted Z Field simply as a “Landing Field” with a “Field Circle Marker” in he middle.
No buildings or other airfield features were depicted.
"Z Field", as depicted on a 1939 map of NAS Pensacola & its satellite fields (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
A 1/9/41 USDA aerial view of Z Field,
from the Digital Library Center / University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
The airfield consisted of a large open grass area,
within which was a single east/west runway.
There did not appear to be any buildings or other aviation facilities associated with the field.
According to Brian Rehwinkel, Z Field was apparently abandoned by the Navy at the beginning of World War Two.
The Navy apparently cancelled the lease(s) sometime in 1941 or early 1942.
Z Field was no longer depicted on a June 1942 map of Outlying Fields for NAS Pensacola,
listed on the April 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer)
or depicted on the February 1945 Mobile Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
As seen in the 1999 USGS aerial photo of the site of Z Field,
Route 295 was constructed through the eastern portion of the site of Z Field,
which has otherwise been densely redeveloped with housing.
Not a trace appears to remain of the former Navy airfield.
The site of Z Field is located west of the intersection of Route 90 & Route 295.
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Bell's Field Naval Outlying Landing Field, Pensacola, FL
30.45 North / 87.25 West (Southwest of Pensacola Regional Airport, FL)
A February 19, 1935 plat plan of the "Proposed Landing Area" on Bell's Farm (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
Bell’s Outlying Field was one of a number of auxiliary landing fields
which were established to support flight training in the Pensacola area.
The date of establishment of Bell's Field has not been determined.
It was not yet depicted on the 1934 Navy Aviation Chart V-242 (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The earliest depiction of Bell's Field which has been located
was on a February 19, 1935 plat plan (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
It depicted a 43.5 acre "Proposed Landing Area" on Bell's Farm.
Interestingly enough, in the very early 1930s,
the Navy used many of the outlying fields without owning or leasing the property.
Ostensibly, they had the (probably written) permission of the owners.
According to Brian Rehwinkel, Bell’s Outlying Field was one of approximately 12 "auxiliary landing fields"
(later called outlying fields) the Navy was using for training purposes by 1935.
These early training fields were very primitive fields,
often consisting of simple clearings, with relatively small landing areas.
A February 1935 memo to the Commandant of NAS Pensacola (describing the station’s outlying fields)
referred to the lack of a lease for this property,
stating, "This field has been in use under no agreement, so far as can be ascertained."
The earliest depiction which has been located of Bell's Field as an active airfield
was on a 1939 map of NAS Pensacola & its satellite fields (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
It depicted Bell's Field as an irregularly-shaped plot of land.
A 12/2/40 USDA aerial view of Bell's Field NOLF,
from the Digital Library Center / University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
The airfield consisted of an 'L'-shaped grass area,
and there did not appear to be any buildings or other aviation facilities associated with the field.
"Bell Field", as depicted on a June 30, 1942 Map of Outlying Fields for NAS Pensacola (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
"Bells (Navy)" was still depicted as an active airfield (along with many others!)
on the February 1945 Mobile Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Bell's Field was apparently abandoned by the Navy at some point between 1945-49,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the 1949 Mobile Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss),
and a January 1951 aerial photo showed some roads (apparently for development)
cutting across the field (according to Brian Rehwinkel).
As seen in the 1999 USGS aerial photo of the site of Bell's Field,
North W Street was built through the center of the former airfield,
and the area has become heavily developed,
with not a trace appearing to remain of the former Navy airfield.
The site of Bell's Field is located south of the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue & Franklin Avenue.
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Stump Field Naval Outlying Landing Field, Pensacola, FL
30.48 North / 87.25 West (West of Pensacola Regional Airport, FL)
"Stump Field", as depicted on a 1939 map of NAS Pensacola & its satellite fields (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
Stump Field was one of the large number of auxiliary fields which were established by the Navy
to support flight training operations at the Pensacola Flight School.
According to Brian Rehwinkel, Stump Outlying Field was first leased by the Navy in July 1930.
The Navy leased 150 acres from the Wilson-Bear Realty Company for the sum of $50 / year.
Stump Field was one of approximately 6 "auxiliary landing fields"
(later called outlying fields) the Navy was using for training purposes by 1931.
This field was a prime example of the early training fields - a primitive, sod field.
In those early years the Navy was very frugal and, in an effort to cut costs,
the Navy (according to a May 1932 Navy memo) negotiated a reduction of the annual rental to $25 / year.
Stump Field was not yet depicted at all (possibly just overlooked due to its relatively small size?)
on the 1934 Navy Aviation Chart V-242 (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The earliest depiction of Stump Field which has been located
was on a 1939 map of NAS Pensacola & its satellite fields (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
It depicted Stump Field as an irregularly-shaped plot of land.
By 1939, the annual rental for the 150-acre Stump Field property had "ballooned" to $75!
A 1/9/41 USDA aerial view of Stump Field NOLF,
from the Digital Library Center / University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
The airfield consisted of an irregularly-shaped grass area,
and there did not appear to be any buildings or other aviation facilities associated with the field.
"Stump Field", as depicted on a June 30, 1942 Map of Outlying Fields for NAS Pensacola (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
Stump Field was used throughout the Second World War
and was also referred to as Field # 00509 -
being that it was located almost due north (005 degrees on the compass) and 9 miles from its parent field.
"Stump (Navy)" was still depicted as an active airfield (along with many others!)
on the February 1945 Mobile Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Stump Field was apparently abandoned by the Navy at some point between 1945-49,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the 1949 Mobile Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
As seen in the 1999 USGS aerial photo of the site of Stump Field,
Route 29 was built through the center of the former airfield,
and the area has become heavily developed,
with not a trace appearing to remain of the former Navy airfield.
The site of Stump Field is located at the intersection of Route 29 & Stumpfield Road - pretty tricky, huh?
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Clay Pits Naval Outlying Landing Field, Pensacola, FL
30.47 North / 87.23 West (West of Pensacola Regional Airport, FL)
"Clay Pits" NOLF, as depicted on a 1939 map of NAS Pensacola & its satellite fields (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
Clay Pits NOLF was one of the large number of auxiliary fields which were established by the Navy
in the 1930s to support flight training operations at the Pensacola Flight School.
It was evidently named for the clay pits which still sit just to the south of the site of the airfield.
Clay Pits NOLF was yet not depicted on the 1934 Navy Aviation Chart V-242 (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
According to a February 1935 Navy memo (via Brian Rehwinkel),
Clay Pits Outlying Field was first used by the Navy as early as 1934.
It was used for "emergency precision landing instruction".
During the first years of use, the Navy had no formal agreement with the owners of the property (L & N Railroad).
Apparently it wasn’t until September 1939 that the Navy had a formal lease to use the tiny 23 acre property as a landing field.
The Navy leased the property for $150 / year.
The earliest depiction of Clay Pits NOLF which has been located
was on a 1939 map of NAS Pensacola & its satellite fields (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
It depicted Clay Pits NOLF as an L-shaped field,
and it was extremely small for a Navy airfield, even for an auxiliary field in the 1930s.
A 1940 USDA aerial view of Clay Pits NOLF,
from the Digital Library Center / University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
The airfield consisted of a very small grass area,
rectangular except for a cut-out at the southwest corner (presumably from a property owner who refused to sell!),
and there did not appear to be any buildings or other aviation facilities associated with the field.
Clay Pits NOLF was only used for a short time during World War Two.
In an April 29, 1942 letter from the Office of the Judge Advocate General (via Brian Rehwinkel),
the Navy informed L & N Railroad they had decided to terminate the lease, effective June 30, 1942.
The letter did not give a reason, but with so many other landing fields in the area,
such a small parcel was probably not useful any longer,
as the heavier aircraft used for training during WW2 required longer runways.
Clay Pits OLF did not appear at all on the June 30, 1942 Map of Outlying Fields for NAS Pensacola,
or on the February 1945 Mobile Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
As seen in the 1999 USGS aerial photo of the site of Clay Pits NOLF,
the property has redeveloped with a variety of buildings,
and not a trace appears to remain of the former Navy airfield.
The site of Clay Pits NOLF is located east of the intersection of Brent Lane & Sycamore Drive.
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German's Field Naval Outlying Landing Field, Pensacola, FL
30.48 North / 87.21 West (Northwest of Pensacola Regional Airport, FL)
"German's Field", as depicted on a 1939 map of NAS Pensacola & its satellite fields (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
German's Field was one of the large number of auxiliary fields which were established by the Navy
in the late 1930s to support flight training operations at the Pensacola Flight School.
The date of establishment of German's Field has not been determined.
It was not depicted on the 1934 Navy Aviation Chart V-242 (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),
nor in The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo).
The earliest depiction of German's Field which has been located
was on a 1939 map of NAS Pensacola & its satellite fields (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
It depicted German's Field as an irregularly-shaped plot,
directly across Skinner's Mill Road (to the west) from Pensacola Municipal Field.
A 1940 USDA aerial view of German's Field NOLF,
from the Digital Library Center / University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries (courtesy of Brian Rehwinkel).
The airfield consisted of an irregularly-shaped grass area,
and there did not appear to be any buildings or other aviation facilities associated with the field.
It has not been determined how much longer German's Field was used by the Navy.
It was apparently abandoned at some point between 1940-44,
as it was not listed in the April 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer)
or depicted on the February 1945 Mobile Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Its location directly adjacent to Pensacola Municipal Field probably contributed to its demise,
as air traffic became increasingly dense in the Pensacola area during the WW2 years.
As seen in the 1999 USGS aerial photo of the site of German's Field,
the property has been densely redeveloped with housing & several schools,
and not a trace appears to remain of the former Navy airfield.
The site of German's Field is located west of the intersection of Route 289 & Underwood Avenue.
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