Redhill Aerodrome
Encyclopedia
Redhill Aerodrome is located 1.5 NM southeast of Redhill
, Surrey
, England
, in green belt land.
Redhill Aerodrome has a CAA
Ordinary Licence (Number P421) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (Redhill Aerodrome Limited).
by Imperial Airways
.
An Elementary Flying Training School was formed at Redhill in July 1937. Training continued at the start of the Second World War
using the Miles Magister
. The Fairey Battle
was also flown particularly for use with the Polish Grading and Testing Flight.
With the threat of a German attack on the airfield the Flying Training School moved to northern England in June 1940
.
station. First to move in were 16 Squadron
operating the Westland Lysander
. The Lysanders did not stay long and RAF Redhill had many short-term deployments of mainly fighter squadrons.
In August 1942 the airfield had five squadrons based. By the end of 1943 the fighter squadrons had moved on and the airfield was used by support units until the end of the war.
moved in. The following year Bristow Helicopters
started to use Redhill as an operating base and carry out helicopter maintenance for the next 40 years.
The airfield is still operated for private flying and training, with an emphasis on helicopter operators. Pilots can use three grass runways. Information on the aerodrome's state can be found on the operator's, Redhill Aerodrome Limited, website.
Charter and private arrivals and departures can be tracked on the Aerodrome Information website.
The aerodrome has its own Air Traffic Control and fire and rescue services (Redhill Fire Fighting Service). The fire and rescue service is H2/Cat2 and has two fire appliances built by Land Rover
(now Jaguar Land Rover
) that carry over 1400 litres of fire fighting fluids between them as well as rescue equipment. They also refuel aircraft.
The airfield has also been the venue for the flying displays and aviation trade shows, including the annual Redhill Airshow in the past, which was focused around a charitable cause.
The aerodrome's runways are currently grass, so they are often damaged by adverse weather during the winter. Creation of a more durable runway would allow virtually all-year-round operation and permit small business aircraft to use the aerodrome as a reliable airport in competition with London Gatwick Airport.
There is an option to use the taxiway to the south of the airstrips as a runway - designated 07/25 - but because of the restricted conditions of use and the limited length, this is far from ideal for pilots and flights.
" style event held at Redhill Aerodrome. The show was one of the highlights of the local area's calendar. The show has seen flypast
s by the Red Arrows
and displays from the Royal Air Force
solo display teams, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
including the Lancaster Bomber
as well as popular warbird
s such as Spitfire MH434
, and Rob Davies' P-51 Mustang
. The last show was in 2006 and the subsequent years event was cancelled at the request of the Redhill Aerodrome management; they have not run since.
Redhill, Surrey
Redhill is a town in the borough of Reigate and Banstead, Surrey, England and is part of the London commuter belt. Redhill and the adjacent town of Reigate form a single urban area.-History:...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, in green belt land.
Redhill Aerodrome has a CAA
United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority
The Civil Aviation Authority is the public corporation which oversees and regulates all aspects of aviation in the United Kingdom. The CAA head office is located in the CAA House on Kingsway in Holborn, London Borough of Camden...
Ordinary Licence (Number P421) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (Redhill Aerodrome Limited).
Early history
The airfield came into use in the 1930s for private flying and it was used as an alternative airfield to Croydon AirportCroydon Airport
Croydon Airport was an airport in South London which straddled the boundary between what are now the London boroughs of Croydon and Sutton. It was the main airport for London before it was replaced by Northolt Aerodrome, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport...
by Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways was the early British commercial long range air transport company, operating from 1924 to 1939 and serving parts of Europe but especially the Empire routes to South Africa, India and the Far East...
.
An Elementary Flying Training School was formed at Redhill in July 1937. Training continued at the start of the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
using the Miles Magister
Miles Magister
-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Amos, Peter. Miles Aircraft = The early years. Tonbridge: Air-Britain, 2009. ISBN 978 0 85130 410 6...
. The Fairey Battle
Fairey Battle
The Fairey Battle was a British single-engine light bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company in the late 1930s for the Royal Air Force. The Battle was powered by the same Rolls-Royce Merlin piston engine that gave contemporary British fighters high performance; however, the Battle was weighed...
was also flown particularly for use with the Polish Grading and Testing Flight.
With the threat of a German attack on the airfield the Flying Training School moved to northern England in June 1940
1940 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1940:- Events :* The worlds first high-performance, purpose-built night fighter, the British Bristol Beaufighter, enters combat.* The Consolidated Aircraft Corporation absorbs the Hall Aluminum Aircraft Corporation....
.
RAF Redhill
With the withdrawal of the Flying Training School the airfield became an operational RAFRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
station. First to move in were 16 Squadron
No. 16 Squadron RAF
No. 16 Squadron is a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force. It formed in 1915 at Saint-Omer to carry out a mixture of offensive patrolling and reconnaissance and was disbanded in 1919 with the end of the First World War...
operating the Westland Lysander
Westland Lysander
The Westland Lysander was a British army co-operation and liaison aircraft produced by Westland Aircraft used immediately before and during the Second World War...
. The Lysanders did not stay long and RAF Redhill had many short-term deployments of mainly fighter squadrons.
In August 1942 the airfield had five squadrons based. By the end of 1943 the fighter squadrons had moved on and the airfield was used by support units until the end of the war.
Flying squadrons during World War II
- Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
- No. 1 Squadron RAFNo. 1 Squadron RAFNo. 1 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It operated the Harrier GR9 from RAF Cottesmore until 28 January 2011.The squadron motto is In omnibus princeps , appropriate for the RAF's oldest squadron and one that has been involved in almost every major British military operation since...
- Hawker HurricaneHawker HurricaneThe Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force... - No. 16 Squadron RAFNo. 16 Squadron RAFNo. 16 Squadron is a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force. It formed in 1915 at Saint-Omer to carry out a mixture of offensive patrolling and reconnaissance and was disbanded in 1919 with the end of the First World War...
- Westland LysanderWestland LysanderThe Westland Lysander was a British army co-operation and liaison aircraft produced by Westland Aircraft used immediately before and during the Second World War... - No. 66 Squadron RAFNo. 66 Squadron RAFNo. 66 Squadron was a Royal Flying Corps and eventually Royal Air Force aircraft squadron.-In World War I:It was first formed at Filton on 30 June 1916 as a Training Squadron equipped with BE2c,d & e, BE12 and Avroe 504A machines. The squadron received its first Sopwith Pup on 3 February 1917,...
- Supermarine SpitfireSupermarine SpitfireThe Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s... - No. 116 Squadron RAFNo. 116 Squadron RAFNo. 116 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, was formed on 1 December 1917 at Andover and was intended to become a night bomber unit but the end of the war resulted in the Squadron's disbandment on 20 November 1918....
- Airspeed OxfordAirspeed OxfordThe Airspeed AS.10 Oxford was a twin-engine aircraft used for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery during the Second World War.-Design and development:...
and Avro AnsonAvro AnsonThe Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was... - No. 131 Squadron RAFNo. 131 Squadron RAFNo. 131 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed to be a night bomber unit in World War I and reformed as a fighter unit in World War II.-Formation and World War I:No...
- Spitfire - No. 219 Squadron RAFNo. 219 Squadron RAFNo. 219 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was originally founded in 1918 and disbanded in 1957 after four separate periods of service. During the First World War it served as a coastal defence unit, and through most of the Second World War and the 1950s it operated as a night fighter air defence...
- Bristol BlenheimBristol BlenheimThe Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
, Bristol BeaufighterBristol BeaufighterThe Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design... - No. 231 Squadron RAFNo. 231 Squadron RAFNo. 231 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force between 1918 and 1946, active in both World War I and World War II in various roles.-In World War I:No. 231 Squadron was formed form Nos...
- North American MustangP-51 MustangThe North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts... - No. 258 Squadron RAFNo. 258 Squadron RAFRAF 258 Squadron was a Royal Air Force squadron during World War I and World War II.No. 258 Squadron was first formed 25 July 1918 from 523, 525 and 529 Special Duties Flights at Luce Bay near Stranraer, Scotland under the control of No. 25 Group. It was equipped with De Havilland DH.6 biplanes and...
- Hurricane - No. 287 Squadron RAFNo. 287 Squadron RAFNo. 287 Squadron was an anti-aircraft co-operation squadron of the Royal Air Force from 1941 to 1946.-History:The squadron was formed at RAF Croydon on 19 November 1941 from No. 11 Group RAFs Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Flight. The squadron flew various aircraft, including Westland Lysanders and...
- No. 303 Polish Fighter SquadronNo. 303 Polish Fighter SquadronNo. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron was one of 16 Polish squadrons in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. It was the highest scoring RAF squadron of the Battle of Britain....
- Spitfire - No. 310 Squadron RAFNo. 310 Squadron RAFNo. 310 Squadron RAF was a Czechoslovakian-manned fighter squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War .It was first formed on 10 July 1940 at RAF Duxford, equipped with Hawker Hurricane I fighters and was the first RAF squadron to be raised crewed by foreign nationals, in this case...
- Spitfire - No. 312 Squadron RAFNo. 312 Squadron RAFNo. 312 Squadron RAF was a Czechoslovakian-manned fighter squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.It was first formed at Duxford in July 1940, equipped with Hurricane I fighters and crewed mostly by escaped Czechslovakian pilots. Its first victory was a Junkers Ju 88 above...
- Spitfire - No. 340 Squadron RAFNo. 340 Squadron RAF340 Squadron RAF was formed at RAF Turnhouse in Scotland on 7 November 1941 as part of Le Groupe de Chasse IV/2 "Ile de France"...
- Spitfire - No. 350 Squadron RAF350th Squadron (Belgium)The 350th Squadron is a fighter squadron in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. It is part of the 2nd Tactical Wing and operates F-16 Fighting Falcons....
- Spitfire - No. 504 Squadron RAFNo. 504 Squadron RAFNo. 504 Squadron was one of the Special Reserve Squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force. It was integrated into the AAF proper in 1936. Based at RAF Cottesmore, Rutland, 504 Squadron used a variety of light bombers before being re-tasked to fighters with the Hawker Hurricane in 1939. It subsequently...
- Spitfire
- No. 1 Squadron RAF
- Royal Auxiliary Air ForceRoyal Auxiliary Air ForceThe Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
- No. 602 Squadron RAFNo. 602 Squadron RAFNo 602 Squadron is a Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadron. Originally formed in 1925 as a light bomber squadron, its role changed in 1938 to army co-operation and in 1939 to that of a fighter squadron....
- Spitfire - No. 611 Squadron RAFNo. 611 Squadron RAFNo. 611 Squadron was a British Auxiliary Air Force later Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadron first formed in 1936 and lastly disbanded in 1957.-Early years:...
- Spitfire
- No. 602 Squadron RAF
- Royal Australian Air ForceRoyal Australian Air ForceThe Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
- No. 452 Squadron RAAFNo. 452 Squadron RAAFNo. 452 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force air traffic control unit. It was originally formed in 1941 fighter unit formed in accordance with Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme during World War II, in England. The squadron flew Supermarine Spitfires for the entire war, initially over...
- Spitfire - No. 457 Squadron RAAFNo. 457 Squadron RAAFNo. 457 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron of World War II. The squadron was formed in England during June 1941 as an Article XV squadron equipped with Supermarine Spitfire fighters...
- Spitfire
- No. 452 Squadron RAAF
- Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air ForceThe history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
- No. 110 Squadron RCAFNo. 400 Squadron RCAF400 "City of Toronto" Tactical Helicopter and Training Squadron is part of 1 Wing, and as such a lodger unit of Canadian Forces Base Borden. The squadron operates the CH-146 Griffon.-History:...
- Lysander - No. 400 Squadron RCAFNo. 400 Squadron RCAF400 "City of Toronto" Tactical Helicopter and Training Squadron is part of 1 Wing, and as such a lodger unit of Canadian Forces Base Borden. The squadron operates the CH-146 Griffon.-History:...
- Mustang - No. 402 Squadron RCAFNo. 402 Squadron RCAF402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron is about to be renamed , as a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada-Pre-war history:...
- Mustang - No. 414 Squadron RCAFNo. 414 Squadron RCAFNo. 414 Squadron RCAF was a squadron associated with the Royal Canadian Air Force and later with Canadian Forces Air Command.-History:On 13 August 1941, No 414 Army Co-operation Squadron was formed at RAF Croydon, England, flying Lysander and Curtis Tomahawk aircraft. On 28 June 1943 the...
- Mustang - No. 416 Squadron RCAFNo. 416 Squadron RCAF416 "City of Oshawa" Tactical Fighter Squadron was a unit of the Canadian Forces under Royal Canadian Air Force. The squadron operated the CF-188 Hornet fighter jet from CFB Cold Lake in Alberta, Canada...
- Spitfire - No. 421 Squadron RCAFNo. 421 Squadron RCAFNo. 421 Squadron RCAF was a unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force, formed during World War II....
- Spitfire
- No. 110 Squadron RCAF
- Royal New Zealand Air ForceRoyal New Zealand Air ForceThe Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
- No. 485 Squadron RNZAFNo. 485 Squadron RNZAFNo. 485 Squadron was a Spitfire squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the Second World War. It was the first RNZAF squadron formed under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme and served in Europe under the operational command of the Royal Air Force.-History:Manned by New Zealand...
- Spitfire
- No. 485 Squadron RNZAF
Postwar
The airfield returned to civilian use in 1947 but was suspended in 1954. In 1959 flying resumed at Redhill when the Tiger ClubTiger Club
The Tiger Club is a flying club formed in 1956 at Croydon Airport, England to race DH82a de Havilland Tiger Moths. The founder was Norman Jones who ran the Club until he handed it over to his son Michael Jones...
moved in. The following year Bristow Helicopters
Bristow Helicopters
Bristow Helicopters is a British helicopter airline originally based at Aberdeen Airport, Scotland, part of the Bristow Group based in Houston, Texas, USA....
started to use Redhill as an operating base and carry out helicopter maintenance for the next 40 years.
The airfield is still operated for private flying and training, with an emphasis on helicopter operators. Pilots can use three grass runways. Information on the aerodrome's state can be found on the operator's, Redhill Aerodrome Limited, website.
Charter and private arrivals and departures can be tracked on the Aerodrome Information website.
The aerodrome has its own Air Traffic Control and fire and rescue services (Redhill Fire Fighting Service). The fire and rescue service is H2/Cat2 and has two fire appliances built by Land Rover
Land Rover
Land Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
(now Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is a British automotive company owned by Tata Motors of India. It develops, manufactures and sells vehicles under the Jaguar and Land Rover marques.-History:...
) that carry over 1400 litres of fire fighting fluids between them as well as rescue equipment. They also refuel aircraft.
The airfield has also been the venue for the flying displays and aviation trade shows, including the annual Redhill Airshow in the past, which was focused around a charitable cause.
Future development and additional runways
In 2010, the Redhill Aerodrome Master Plan was published, documenting in great detail the proposal to create a hard surface runway in replacement to the existing grass airstrips, alongside other developments. There will be an opportunity for local residents, businesses and authorities to comment on this.The aerodrome's runways are currently grass, so they are often damaged by adverse weather during the winter. Creation of a more durable runway would allow virtually all-year-round operation and permit small business aircraft to use the aerodrome as a reliable airport in competition with London Gatwick Airport.
There is an option to use the taxiway to the south of the airstrips as a runway - designated 07/25 - but because of the restricted conditions of use and the limited length, this is far from ideal for pilots and flights.
Redhill Airshow
The Redhill Airshow was a classic "garden partyGarden party
A garden party is a social gathering with food provided, in the open in a park or a garden. An event described as a garden party is usually more formal than other similar gatherings, which may be called just parties, picnics, barbecues, etc,...
" style event held at Redhill Aerodrome. The show was one of the highlights of the local area's calendar. The show has seen flypast
Flypast
Flypast is a term used in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and other countries to denote ceremonial or honorific flights by groups of aircraft and, rarely, by a single aircraft...
s by the Red Arrows
Red Arrows
The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force based at RAF Scampton, but due to move to RAF Waddington in 2011...
and displays from the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
solo display teams, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is a Royal Air Force flight which provides an aerial display group comprising an Avro Lancaster, a Supermarine Spitfire and a Hawker Hurricane...
including the Lancaster Bomber
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
as well as popular warbird
Warbird
Warbird is a term used, predominantly in North America, to describe vintage military aircraft.- Naming :Although the term originally implied piston-driven aircraft from the World War II era, it is now often extended to include all military aircraft, including jet-powered aircraft, that are no...
s such as Spitfire MH434
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
, and Rob Davies' P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
. The last show was in 2006 and the subsequent years event was cancelled at the request of the Redhill Aerodrome management; they have not run since.