Coll 5/85 ‘Airfield at Dharan for U.S.A.A.F.: Proposal to construct new airport at Bahrain (Hamala)’ [‎51v] (103/522)

APPENDIX A.1
DC 88050/1
50
BAHREIN
Engineering Appreciation
Existing airfield on Muharraq Island
1. Gen eral .
This site is nr w ater-locked sand , virtually at'sea'level; water
table is 12" to 18" below ground' level.. The site is covered by a hard
skin of salt encrusted sand, but when this is oroken, very little bearing
capacity remains.
2. Drainage.
Three pumps have been installed in drainage pits in an acternpt to
control the water level,
3. Runways and s tanding s.
The runway (7200 ft. long) and standing consist of single pierced steel
planking laid on a 3 ,, . sand bitumen mix carpet, . his has oeen in existence
I about 2 years, and hn.s a further life of about another 2 to 3 years, but it
| was noted that many planks were deteriorating rapidly due to rusting.
The' estimated maximum capacity of the runway "and standings is 14,000
lbs. aircraft, and it is not considered that it would prove economical to
attempt further development of the field. Instead, the site proposed for
development by the R.A.F. on Manama Island was inspected. The report on
this follwws.
Manama Island, (Hamala)
1. Genera l
The development of this site was proposed by the Chief Engineer,
A.M.V/.D., Iraq Command, in his letter W5/7/C. dated 10th July 1946, addressed
to the Director of ’Jorks, M.C.A., and full details of the physical charac
teristics of the site are contained therein. This scheme was based on a
three runway lay out, and full perimeter track. It is understood ^hat an
investigation of the available meteorological data has disclosed that a one
runway lay out would be acceptable, provided this runway was based on a
bearing of 340° true, or as close to this as is possible,
2 The site v/as examined With this lay out in view, and it can be confirmed
that the provision of facilities on this basis is feasible. Consideration ■•as
given only to the minimum requirements of Civil Aviation - it may be that R.A.E,
interests will be involved, and additional requirements may have to be met.
It is understood that the perimeter track adjoining the ends of the runway
should be placed at the north east side of the runway, and that the hard stand
ing, Control Tower, and administrative buildings should also be on this side of
the airfield; from an access point of view this is suitable.
3, E sti mated Cost and Time
The estimated cost to provide runway and taxi track, hard standing,
Control Tower, Administrative buildings, etc., to Class C requirements is
£1,250,000, and the time involved for construction would be 2 years.
The estimated cost for similar facilities to Class standards is
£1,750,000 and the estimated construction time would be 2^- years. It should
be noted in this connection that several miles of access road will have to be
reconditioned,
4. Conclusion
The present site on Muharra.q Island is useless for heavy aiferai o, and
its development cannot be considered as a practical proposition. While the
cost of provision of initial facilities on the proposed site on ,",i"'.nama l 1 ■ -nd
is high, there is no doubt that a first class airfield coul d be provided,, .and
that further development on this si6e if nccessa.ry, would be rela.tively simple
® and economical.