Thakeham
Also known as: | Billingshurst / RFC Thakeham / Thakeham Landing Ground |
County: | West Sussex |
Current Status: | Farmland |
Date: | February 1917 - February 1918 (last known date) |
Current Use: | Disused |
Used By: | RFC |
Landing Surface Types: | Unpaved |
Aircraft Roles: | Fighter |
Royal Aircraft Factory BE2 and BE12 variants fighters of No 78 Squadron initially had Thakeham available to them as a Home Defence Flight Station during World War One. In September 1917 a tactical rearrangement saw No 39 Squadron take over control for its Bristol F2bs into the opening months of 1918. Thakeham later had a brief resurgence in 1933 when it became the site of one of Sir Alan Cobham’s National Aviation Day displays.
The following organisations are either based at, use and/or have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield (as at 01/09/2011):
- Thakeham Parish Council
Main unit(s) present:
- No 39 Sqn
- No 78 Sqn
- National Aviation Day Ltd
- National Aviation Displays Ltd
Plan of Thakeham. Courtesy of Ed Andrews
Home Defence Flight Station(s): | Gosport / Penshurst (Chiddingstone Causeway) / Telscombe Cliffs |