About 4 miles from where my daughter lives is Biggin Hill airport. Originally Biggin Hill was used for early wireless experiments, but in 1917 it was established as part of the inner patrol zone of the London Air Defence Area. By the time the Battle of Britain was well under way in WW2 it had became a spitfire station. Between August 1940 and January 1941 the aerodrome was attacked 12 times
The RAF left Biggin Hill in 1992. A new museum documenting the history of the airfield opened in 2019 but I haven't had the opportunity to visit yet as it has been closed for longer than it's been open.
Outside St George's chapel is a full scale replica of a spitfire.
Today Biggin Hill is a popular light aircraft centre used by a collection of lightplane clubs and charter companies.
Let's hope you can visit at some point this year!
ReplyDeleteLooks to be an interesting historical place. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove old planes! they have such thrilling stories to tell
ReplyDeleteQuite the history and great photos ~ good for your daughter who lives nearby that is a 'light craft' airport ~ thanks for sharing ^_^
ReplyDeleteMoment by moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Its war history certainly made this place well known.
ReplyDeleteA place with a storied history.
ReplyDeleteIt has quite a history!
ReplyDeleteThis place has certainly a heavy history to tell !
ReplyDeleteYou noted that the RAF left Biggin Hill in 1992. And although I wouldn't make a special trip to see the new lightplane clubs and charter companies, I would love to see the museum documenting the history of the airfield since 1917.
ReplyDeleteShame about the pandemic :(
Hello,
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to visit the historical airport and museum, when it is able to open! Take care, enjoy your day!
Interesting. I have a blogging friend (Apart From My Art)who surprised her husband on his birthday with a ride in a spitfire. She got to go up too. That was quite a plane!
ReplyDeleteI hope the museum will reopen soon so you can check it out. It looks like you had a private visit the day you were there!
ReplyDelete