Central Landing Establishment

The Central Landing Establishment was the Second World War British development centre for airborne warfare at RAF Ringway airfield near Manchester.

[1] Following Prime Minister Winston Churchill's decision to create a parachute corps within the British Army after German successes using airborne force during the early stages of the war, a parachute training school known as the Central Landing School was set up at RAF Ringway near Manchester in June 1940.

[4] The centre was operated by Royal Air Force and British Army officers working in collaboration.

[7] These containers would fit in the bomb bays of aircraft making resupply easier.

Wicker baskets for some materiel, crates for motorcycles such as the Royal Enfield WD/RE, and the means of parachuting jeeps and light artillery pieces.

General Sir John Dill , the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS), inspecting parachute troops at the Central Landing Establishment at RAF Ringway near Manchester , December 1940.
RAF Museum Cosford - DSC08391
CLE Canisters displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford , along with a Corgi lightweight, folding motorcycle (2010)