RAF Hornchurch

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RAF Hornchurch was an airfield in the south of Hornchurch in what is now the London Borough of Havering. Its operational life spanned 47 years. It was opened in 1915 and closed in 1962. It was a key air force installation between both wars and in to the jet age.

During World War I it was called Suttons Farm Airfield and it defended London against Zeppelin airships. It was renamed RAF Hornchurch in 1928 and during World War 2 was a Sector Airfield of Fighter Command's 11 Group, covering London and the south east of England during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

Situated 14 miles (22.5 km) east north-east of Charing Cross, the air base was in a key location (in bomb alley), being able to cover both London and the Thames corridor from German air attacks. With this strategic location in mind, the RAF increased the defences and fortifications of the base. Hornchurch was home to Flying Training Command's Aircrew Selection Centre for 10 years before it moved to RAF Biggin Hill and the RAF station at Hornchurch closed in April 1962.

RAF Hornchurch has the largest number of surviving Tet Turrets in the whole of England. RAF Hornchurch Battle of Britain artefacts and memorabilia are housed in the Purfleet Heritage & Military Centre.

[edit] Squadrons

During the Battle of Britain, RAF Hornchurch became home to many squadrons:

No 65 Squadron (Spitfires) from 5 June 1940
No 74 Squadron (Spitfires) from 25 June 1940
No 54 Squadron (Spitfires) from 24 July 1940
No 41 Squadron (Spitfires) from 26 July 1940
No 54 Squadron (Spitfires) from 8 August 1940
No 266 Squadron (Spitfires) from 14 August 1940
No 600 Squadron (Blenheims & Beaufighters) from 22 August 1940
No 264 Squadron (Defiants) from 22 August 1940
No 603 Squadron (Spitfires) from 27 August 1940
No 41 Squadron (Spitfires) from 3 September 1940

[edit] Land re-use

The land was reused to create Hornchurch Country Park and part of the land formerly occupied by the airfield is now a housing estate - the Airfield estate. The names of the streets of the estate commemorate the airfield and its pilots (such as Bouchier Walk, Kirton Close, Tempest Way, Robinson Close, Tuck Road, Bader Way and Malan Square).

A local school, The R. J. Mitchell School, was named after the man who designed the Spitfire. Another local school (Suttons School) was re-named after an American pilot, Flying Officer Raimund (Smudge) Sanders-Draper, flying with the Royal Air Force at the time, had an engine failure on take-off and stayed at his controls to ensure his aircraft didn't crash on the building, which was full of children at the time.