Reaching For The Skies From Redhill Aerodrome
In August 1942 with conflict raging across the world for almost three years, RAF Redhill was the base and training centre for squadrons which made significant contributions to the war effort of the Second World War. This month, 77 years on, RH History Uncovered looks at the history of Redhill Aerodrome and how generations of pilots have used the aviation site just outside of Nutfield to reach for the skies.
Redhill’s airfield first came into use during the pioneering aviation period of the 1930s as a location for private flying and the original Redhill Flying Club before it became an alternative aviation site to Croydon Airport for Imperial Airways. In 1937, the RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) established a training school at the airfield, which was in operation leading up to, during and to the end of the Second World War.
Towards the end of May 1940, the skies over Southern England witnessed increased activity, and after the Dunkirk evacuation and the threat of Nazi invasion, No. 15 EFTS evacuated RAF Redhill and moved to the North of England, settling in Carlisle in Cumbria. In June 1940, No. 16 Squadron arrived at the airfield with the squadron’s Westland Lysanders, however, the squadron did not remain at the aerodrome long.
On May, 1, 1941 Redhill became a satellite aerodrome for RAF Kenley and No 1 Squadron Hurricane’s moved in. No 1 Squadron served as a night fighter unit and on May 10 shot down a total of six enemy aircraft. The site also became a base for Spitfires as well as a home from home for Canadian and Polish quadrons and acted as an airfield for the Dieppe Raid on the occupied French port on August 19, 1942.
At the conclusion of the Second World War, Redhill Aerodrome became a storage site of unused bombs which were cleared by the end of 1946. In April 1948, No. 15 Reserve Flying School (RFS) was formed, where Tiger Moths were used for the basic training of pilots, the No. 15 RFS also used Oxfords and De Havilland Chipmonks, with technical advances, the No. 15 RFS was formally disbanded in June 1954.
The post-war era saw the airfield used by British Air Transport Ltd as a maintenance base for its charter operations at Croydon and Kenley Airports, as well as the return of Redhill Flying Club’s activities. For a large period of the Cold War, buildings on the Redhill Aerodrome site were used by the Home office for the storage of what it described as ‘materials that may be necessary in cases of national emergency’.
Redhill Still Aiming Sky High
Today, Redhill is still a busy airfield with a range of commercial light aircraft and helicopters flying from its site. The aerodrome is also home to a number of private aircraft whose owners base them at Redhill Aerodrome largely due to its convenient location for business and leisure purposes in South East Surrey. For more information about Redhill Aerodrome, visit: www.redhillaerodrome.com
