Easily the most prominent of Hamble’s five main airfields, this particular airfield appeared during 1926 as aircraft manufacturer A.V. Roe needed a larger location than already existed. The Hampshire Aero Club formed during his year and quickly moved in but Hamble would become far better known for flying training and aircraft maintenance.

Air Service Training Limited, part of Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, appeared in 1931 to instruct reserve pilots; more facilities were created at the southern end of the airfield for No 3 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School which formed in 1933. So began a long career in this aviation capacity for Hamble over several decades, the training syllabus being gradually expanded, although aircraft flight testing in the 1930s was not absent either with development of the large four-engined Armstrong Whitworth Ensign airliner.

The start of World War Two saw what was now known as No 3 Elementary Flying Training School remain but a combination of nearby defensive barrage balloons, an increasing threat from enemy air attack and especially aircraft production demands forced this unit to leave for Watchfield in July 1940. These developments however worked for Hamble’s advantage as the airfield took on a most important new role as an aircraft modification/repair and delivery centre. Thousands of Spitfires passed through here, female pilots of No 15 Ferry Pilots Pool (later Ferry Pool) delivering these and numerous other aircraft types to operational stations from July 1941 onwards after necessary conversion work on each machine had been completed.

Aircraft component manufacture also served as a most important part of Hamble’s wartime life and thereafter but peacetime allowed flying training to return. Foreign as well as domestic students increasingly became a familiar sight and this trend continued after Hawker Siddeley disposed of Air Service Training in 1960; the College of Air Training took its place. Hamble became a widely recognised and much admired place to instruct particularly airline pilots but the demands and vagaries of the economic side of this form of aviation always proved a difficult balancing act. The cessation of British Airways support in 1982 proved an extremely major blow. Specialist Flying Training attempted to keep major flying going but the College of Air Training unfortunately had to call in the receivers in February 1984. Once all the aircraft and associated assets were sold at auction in the spring, this effectively meant the end for Hamble almost immediately and the land was acquired for housing. What very little flying remained at the by now officially recognised unlicensed airfield had completely finished by 1986.

Were it not for the still mostly untouched grass landing area, Hamble’s second landplane airfield would be little recognisable today amid surrounding housing. Fortunately this place is still significantly and affectionately remembered by many people.

The following organisations are either based at, use and/or have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield (as of 01/06/2014):

• GE Aviation Systems
• Hamble Club FC
• Hamble-le-Rice Parish Council
• Hamble Local History Society
• London Airways FC
• Sky Blues Youth FC

Notable Past Associated Organisations:

• Air Service Training Ltd
• Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft
• College of Air Training
• Folland Aircraft
• Glover Webb
• Hawker Siddeley Group