redhill history

Redhill Aerodrome History

Redhill aerodrome opened in 1934 to accommodate the Original Redhill Flying Club, and subsequent events showed that it also afforded a valuable emergency alternative for Imperial Airways encountering bad weather en route to Croydon.

In 1937 the deteriorating international situation led to the RAF opening Elementary and Reserve Training Schools at Redhill and by 1938 these were operating alongside some twelve DH Moth club aircraft. Two years later Redhill became an RAF satellite of Kenley, and in 1941 became the base for No.1 Hurricane Squadron.

Spitfires later replaced the Hurricanes and Canadian Squadrons flew from 1942 to 1944 out of Redhill, which also then became the HQ of No.2 Tactical Air Force Group. Prior to D-Day over two hundred fighter aircraft were held at Redhill to support the invasion forces;

Since the end of the war Redhill was used for storage of unused bombs, which were cleared by the end of 1946. Civilian clubs, including a glider club, and some private aircraft, resumed flying in 1947. In 1954, however, it was decided for economic reasons to suspend flying activities. Aviation recommenced in 1959 with the arrival of the Tiger club, followed, in 1960, by Bristow Helicopters.

The British and Commonwealth Shipping Company acquired the aerodrome in 1968, and since then Redhill has been Bristow Helicopters training base.The Aerodrome, licensed by the CAA, is owned by Redhill Aerodrome Ltd, a subsidiary of British & Commonwealth Holdings plc.

In July 1991 Redhill Aerodrome was sold to a group of private investors. In 1993 these investors, now Redhill aerodrome submitted an outline planning application to develop the airfield into a feeder for Gatwick Airport.

Links

History of British Airfields (by county) during WWII: http://www.countrysidebooks.co.uk

The Annual Redhill Airshow: http://www.airshows.org.uk/2005/airshows/redhill/review.html

RAF official history: http://www.raf.mod.uk/history

RAF No.1 Hurricane Squadron: http://www.raf.mod.uk/squadrons/h1.html

RAF No.1 Squadron aircraft: http://www.rafweb.org/SqnMark001A.htm

RCAF Canadian Squadrons: http://www.rcaf.com/1939_1945_waryears

Other Delta Aviation Airfields