Gravesend Airport
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Gravesend Airport, located to the east of the town of Gravesend, Kent, England was in existence from 1932 until 1956.[1] It was initially a civil airfield, and became a Royal Air Force station shortly after opening.
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[edit] Civil operation
The airport was operated by Gravesend Aviation Ltd served Gravesend and has a significant place in the history of British aviation. From 1933 to 1936 it was home to Percival Aircraft, building the famous Mew Gull racing aircraft among others, before the company moved to Luton. After 1936 Essex Aero was based on the site, and maintained the airfield's link with racing aeroplanes by preparing the de Havilland DH.88 Comets and Alex Henshaw's Percival Mew Gull that set the record for a flight from England to South Africa.
The airfield received Customs facilities in December 1933 and many European airlines made use of Gravesend as a diversionary airport, for use when Croyden was fogged-in. These airlines included: Imperial Airways, KLM, Sabena and Deutsche Lufthansa.
[edit] Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force moved into Gravesend in 1937 when a Flying Training School began operating Tiger Moths and Hawker Harts at the airfield. In 1942, the RAF greatly enlarged the airfield, which included major extensions to both runways - albeit still formed of grass. Throughout WWII, Essex Aero continued to manufacture aircraft parts at the site. Accommodation for personnel was provided nearby at Ashenbank Wood. The company also drew up major plans for the airfield, including concreting the runways (the longest one being just over 5600ft after the RAF extensions), a new terminal and cargo centre west of the Thong Lane side and their aircraft parts main plant to the east of Thong Lane.
[edit] Approval for civilian use
After the war the then Gravesend Municipal Council gave planning permission to Essex Aero to take over the airport, but with severe (and unworkable) conditions. The main conditions were that the RAF extensions must be ripped up, thereby reducing the airport size by 40%; that the two runway lengths cut back to just 3000ft; and finally, provisions that a school and associated housing should be built on parts of the airfield. Under those circumstances, Essex Aero did not continue with their scheme.
[edit] Site today
The airfield site today has become a housing estate called Riverview Park. Little can be identified of the original use, but Leander Drive and Vigilant Way seem to have been built on the original perimeter track. "Cascades" Leisure Centre in Thong Lane has a plaque dedicated to the airmen of WWII who served at Gravesend Airport. The Control Tower from the Airport was located in the grounds.
