Hornchurch (Suttons Farm)
| Also known as: | Hornchurch Aerodrome / Hornchurch Country Park / RAF Hornchurch / RAF Station, Hornchurch / RAF Suttons Farm / RFC Suttons Farm / Suttons Farm Aerodrome |
| County: | Greater London |
| Current Status: | Housing / Leisure activity / Open land / Public road |
| Date: | 3 October 1915 - 1 July 1962 |
| Current Use: | Disused |
| Used By: | RAF (main user) / RAF (Belgian) / RAF (Czech) / RAF (French) / RFC (main user) / FAA / RAAF / RCAF / RNZAF |
| Landing Surface Types: | Unpaved |
| Prominent People: | Eric Lock / William Leefe Robinson VC |
| Aircraft Roles: | Air observation post / Air-sea rescue / Anti-aircraft co-operation / Fighter (main role) / Fighter-reconnaissance / Naval aviation / Trainer |
The following organisations are either based at, use and/or have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield (as at 01/09/2022):
- Elm Park, Hornchurch and District Angling Society
- Essex Wildlife Trust Ingrebourne Nature Discovery Centre
- Hornchurch Aerodrome Historical Trust
- Hornchurch Airfield Rocket Team (H.A.R.T.)
- Hornchurch Library
- Streets Ahead Productions
- The Good Intent - pub, contains memorabilia
- The R J Mitchell Primary School
- The Rosewood Medical Centre - former Officers' Mess
- The Sanders Draper School - named after pilot
Main unit(s) present:
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No 1 CAACU
- No 11 Gp AAC Flight
- No 13 Sqn
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No 17 RFS
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No 19 RS
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No 19 Sqn
- No 20 (Fighter) Wing
- No 23 Sqn
- No 25 (Base Defence) Sector
- No 25 (Base) Defence Wing
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No 33 Personnel Despatch Centre
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No 39 Sqn
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No 41 Sqn
- No 46 Sqn
- No 51 Sqn
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No 54 Sqn
- No 55 Repair Unit
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No 64 Sqn
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No 65 Sqn
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No 66 Sqn
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No 74 Sqn
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No 78 Sqn
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No 80 Sqn
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No 81 Sqn
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No 92 Sqn
- No 103 Mobile Air Reporting Unit
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No 111 Sqn
- No 114 Sqn
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No 116 Sqn
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No 122 Sqn
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No 129 Sqn
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No 132 Sqn
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No 135 Airfield
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No 142 GS
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No 146 GS
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No 154 Sqn
- No 160 Wing
- No 167 Sqn
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No 189 (Night) TS
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No 222 Sqn
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No 229 Sqn
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No 239 Sqn
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No 264 Sqn
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No 266 Sqn
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No 274 Sqn
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No 278 Sqn
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No 287 Sqn
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No 313 Sqn
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No 340 Sqn
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No 349 Sqn
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No 350 Sqn
- No 403 Sqn
- No 411 Sqn
- No 412 (Polish) Repair & Salvage Unit
- No 453 Sqn
- No 485 Sqn
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No 504 Sqn
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No 567 Sqn
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No 600 Sqn
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No 603 Sqn
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No 611 Sqn
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No 614 GS
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No 661 Sqn
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No 765 Sqn
- No 1025 Servicing Wing
- No 1959 Reserve AOP Flight
- No 2718 Sqn RAF Regiment
- No 2726 Sqn RAF Regiment
- No 4012 Anti-Aircraft Flight RAF Regiment
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Aircrew Selection Centre
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Aviation Candidates Selection Board
- Combined Selection Centre
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Home Counties GCRAAF Holding Section
- Station Flight, Hornchurch
Video and photographs of ABCT's Hornchurch (Suttons Farm) Airfield memorial unveiling, Saturday 1 October 2022. Courtesy of Ed Andrews
Type 22 pillbox at Hornchurch, 29 July 2009. © Richard Flagg
Type 22 pillbox at Hornchurch, 29 July 2009. © Richard Flagg
Tett Turret at Hornchurch, 29 July 2009. © Richard Flagg
Tett Turret at Hornchurch, 29 July 2009. © Richard Flagg
A pillbox at Hornchurch, 4 June 2013.
Supermarine Spitfires at Hornchurch. Courtesy of footagefarm
Schoolboys visiting Hornchurch. Courtesy of British Movietone
Footage from Hornchurch Battle of Britain anniversary day, September 1949. Courtesy of maxustaxus
Footage from Hornchurch. Courtesy of Beyond the Point
| Decoy Airfield(s): | |
| Home Defence Flight Station(s): | |
| Home Defence Landing Ground(s): | Cheddington / Chessington I / Fyfield / Grove Park, Greater London / Hackney Marshes / Hetford / Orsett II Palmer Farm / Wimbledon |