A chilling wind whips across the tarmac. It whispers tales of daring pilots and devastating battles. This is London Biggin Hill Airport.
London Biggin Hill Airport wasn’t always a hub for business jets. It started life as a Royal Flying Corps airfield during the First World War. The RFC used it for wireless experiments. Then in 1917 it became part of the London Air Defence Area. It played a vital role defending London from Zeppelins and Gotha bombers. Imagine the tension the airmen must have felt.
The airport’s true fame arrived during the Battle of Britain. Biggin Hill became a major fighter base. Spitfires and Hurricanes took to the skies from here. They protected London and south-east England. Pilots based here claimed to have destroyed 1400 enemy aircraft. Their bravery came at a cost though. 453 aircrew lost their lives. The airfield itself was attacked twelve times. The worst attack destroyed workshops stores and barracks killing 39 ground crew.
After the war Biggin Hill became a base for Transport Command. Later it housed regular and reserve fighter squadrons. They flew Spitfires Meteors and Hunters. A tragic incident in 1951 involved three Gloster Meteors crashing. All pilots were killed. This raised serious questions about the base’s continued military use.
In 1958 Biggin Hill became the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre. It marked the end of its operational life for the RAF. Civilian light aviation moved from Croydon to Biggin Hill. The airport became a joint civilian and military location. But military flights were infrequent.
The RAF finally left in 1992. A small part of the airport still holds that designation. Today London Biggin Hill Airport is a thriving business aviation airport. It is a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who served here. It is also a reminder of the airport’s crucial role in history. The legacy continues. The airport even has a chapel dedicated to the aircrew who died flying from the Biggin Hill Sector. It is guarded by replica Spitfires and Hurricanes a fitting tribute to those brave pilots.