Hubbry Logo
RAF TangmereRAF TangmereMain
Open search
RAF Tangmere
Community hub
RAF Tangmere
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
RAF Tangmere
RAF Tangmere
RAF Tangmere
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Royal Air Force Tangmere or more simply RAF Tangmere is a former Royal Air Force station located in Tangmere, England, famous for its role in the Battle of Britain.[4]

Key Information

It was one of several stations near Chichester, West Sussex. The Second World War aces Wing Commander Douglas Bader, and the then inexperienced Johnnie Johnson were stationed at Tangmere in 1941.

History

[edit]

First World War

[edit]

The aerodrome was founded in 1917 for use by the Royal Flying Corps as a training base. In August 1918 it was sold to the US Government and turned over to the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps (USSC) as a training ground for US-built Handley-Page O/400 biplane bombers, although almost none were completed by the time of the Armistice. The Aviation Section of the American Expeditionary Forces (ASAEF) agreed to improve the airfield and constructed further hangars.[5]: 19  Tangmere continued to host the 92d Aero Squadron until the end of the Great War in November 1918, after which the airfield was put up for sale at the end of 1919.[5]: 21 [6]

Additional units:

Interwar years

[edit]

Responsibility for the Air Defence of Great Britain (ADGB) passed from the War Department to the Air Ministry, and Tangmere, in its finished state, was one of the first airfields to be re-activated. By the end of 1923 it was re-purchased by the Crown and in 1925 the station re-opened to serve the RAF's new fighter capability.[5]: 23  It went operational in late 1926 with No. 43 Squadron from RAF Henlow equipped with biplane Gloster Gamecocks.[5]: 24  They were joined by a nucleus of officers from 1 Squadron and a friendly rivalry grew up between the two squadrons.[5]: 28–9 , who later flew Armstrong Whitworth Siskins.

As war threatened in the late 1930s, the fighter aircraft based at Tangmere became faster, with Hawker Furies, Gloster Gladiators, and Hawker Hurricanes all being used.

In 1934, Squadron Leader C W Hill, a famous First World War prisoner-of-war escaper, commanded No. 1 Fighter Squadron at RAF Tangmere. Two years later, as a Wing Commander, he became the station commander.

Additional units:

  • Coastal Area Storage Unit (1925–28)[17]
  • 1 Squadron between 1927–39[18]
  • 43 Squadron between 1926–39[19]

Second World War

[edit]

In a memoir, Peter Townsend (noted Battle of Britain pilot and, post-war, romantically linked with Princess Margaret), recounts the arrival of 605 Squadron at Tangmere, just before the outbreak of war. Townsend says that

Things hummed at Tangmere Cottage, just opposite the guard room, where 605's commanding officer John Willoughby de Broke and his wife Rachel kept open house. There we spent wild evenings, drinking, singing, dancing to romantic tunes . . . we danced blithely, relentlessly towards catastrophe. . . . With one chance in five of survival - not counting the burnt and the wounded - only a handful of us would come through.

In 1939 the airfield was enlarged to defend the south coast against attack by the Luftwaffe, with Tangmere's only hotel and some houses being demolished in the process. The RAF commandeered the majority of houses in the centre of the village, with only six to eight families being allowed to stay. The village would not resume its status as a civilian community until 1966.

A line of Supermarine Spitfire Mark VBs of No. 131 Squadron RAF, being prepared for a sweep at Merston, a satellite airfield of Tangmere

In August 1940 the first squadron (No. 602 Squadron RAF) of Supermarine Spitfires was based at satellite airfield RAF Westhampnett, as the Battle of Britain began. By now the villagers had mainly been evacuated, and extensive ranges of RAF buildings had sprung up.[20]

The first, and worst, enemy raid on the station came on 16 August 1940 when hundreds of Junkers Ju 87 (Stuka) dive bombers and fighters crossed the English coast and attacked Tangmere. There was extensive damage to buildings and aircraft on the ground and 14 ground staff and six civilians were killed. However the station was kept in service and brought back into full operation.

Throughout the war, the station was used by the Royal Air Force Special Duty Service when 161 (Special Duty) Squadron's Westland Lysander flight came down to do their insertion and pick-up operations into occupied Europe. The SOE used Tangmere Cottage, opposite the main entrance to the base to house and receive their agents.[20] Today the cottage sports a commemorative plaque to its former secret life.

Later in the war, as the RAF turned from defence to attack, Group Captain Douglas Bader, the legless fighter ace, commanded the Tangmere wing of Fighter Command. Today he is commemorated by a plaque outside the former Bader Arms public house, now a Co-operative Food outlet in the village. 616 Squadron, which included Johnnie Johnson and Hugh Dundas, arrived at Tangmere in late February 1941.[21] Johnson went on to become the highest scoring Western Allied fighter ace against the Luftwaffe.

For D-Day, the RAF created Airfield Headquarters units which transformed into wings to control multiple similar squadrons for offensive actions for eventual use in mainland Europe.

German (right) and Commonwealth pilot graves at St Andrew's Church, Tangmere; the large tombstone is a memorial to pilots lost at sea.

Many of those killed at the base, from both sides in conflict, are buried in the cemetery at St Andrew's Church, Tangmere, today tended by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. United American RAF pilot Billy Fiske who died at Tangmere in 1940 was one of the first American aviators to die during the Second World War.[5]

Defensive units (1939–41):

Offensive units (1941–45):

Units:

RAF Regiment:

The following RAF Regiment units were also here at some point:[72]

Postwar

[edit]

Towards the end of the war, the Central Fighter Establishment arrived from RAF Wittering on 27 February 1945 with the station being renamed as CFE Tangmere.[73] The RAF High Speed Flight was re-formed here on 14 June 1946 and in September 1946, a world air speed record of 616 mph (991 km/h) was set by Group Captain Edward "Teddy" Mortlock Donaldson in a Gloster Meteor F.4; after his death in 1992, he was buried in St Andrew's Church. In September 1953, Squadron Leader Neville Duke became holder of the world air speed record when he flew a modified Hawker Hunter prototype at 727.63 mph (1,170 km/h) – the 50th anniversary of this event was commemorated in 2003.

A number of units associated with the CFE also arrived including:

The unit moved to RAF West Raynham on 1 October 1945, while No. 85 Squadron RAF arrived on 11 October 1945 with the de Havilland Mosquito XXX. It upgraded to the Mosquito NF.36 from January 1946. The unit deployed to RAF Lubeck and RAF Acklington for varying periods of time, until finally leaving Tangmere on 16 April 1947, for RAF West Malling.[43] No. 1 Squadron RAF returned on 30 April 1946 from their previous base of RAF Hutton Cranswick with the Supermarine Spitfire F.21; the unit deployed to Acklington and Lubeck at various times. From October 1946 the Gloster Meteor F.3 was introduced but was replaced by the Harvard T.2b and Oxford T.2 from August 1947, in preparation for conversion to the Meteor F.4 which arrived during June 1948. This was replaced by the F.8 during August 1950 and this in turn was replaced by the Hawker Hunter F.5 in September 1958. The squadron was disbanded on 1 July 1958.[18] No. 222 (Natal) Squadron RAF arrived on 2 October 1946 from RAF Weston Zoyland. They were already operating the Meteor F.3 and converted to the newer F.4 during the first few months of 1948, before moving to RAF Lubeck on 1 May 1948.[37]

On 1 June 1950, a Gloster Meteor flying eastwards over Portsmouth reported a UFO at 20,000 ft. It was also seen by the radar at RAF Wartling, and was described as Britain's first flying saucer, and led to the Flying Saucer Working Party later that year.[79]

No. 266 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAF arrived on 16 April 1947 from RAF Wattisham with the Meteor F.3, replacing No. 85 Squadron RAF. No. 266 Squadron upgraded to the Meteor F.4 from February 1948, with the squadron deploying to Lubeck and Acklington during its stay. 266 was disbanded on 11 February 1949 and renumbered as No. 43 Squadron RAF [61] The Meteor F.8 was introduced from September 1950 and the squadron moved to RAF Leuchars on 11 November 1950.[19] On 25 November 1950 No. 29 Squadron RAF arrived from RAF West Malling with the Mosquito NF.30, converting to the Meteor NF.11 from July 1951. The squadron moved to RAF Acklington on 14 January 1957 where it eventually re-equipped with the Gloster Javelin FAW.6.[80] On 1 August 1954 No. 34 Squadron RAF was re-formed here with the Meteor F.8, upgrading to the Hunter F.5 from October 1955 before being disbanded on 15 January 1958.[81] On 30 September 1957 No. 25 Squadron RAF arrived from RAF West Malling, flying the Meteor NF.12 & NF.14 until 1 July 1958 when the squadron was disbanded.[52]

No. 164 (Argentine–British) Squadron RAF arrived from RAF Turnhouse on 25 March 1946 with the Spitfire IX, staying until 26 April 1946 when the squadron moved to RAF Middle Wallop.[57] No. 587 Squadron RAF arrived from RAF Weston Zoyland on 1 June 1946 with the Spitfire XVI, for two weeks before being disbanded.[82] No. 69 Squadron RAF arrived on 19 April 1947 from RAF Wahn during a break from West Germany. It used the Mosquito B.16 until 16 May 1947 when it moved back to Wahn.[83] On 1 July 1950 No. 74 (Trinidad) Squadron RAF, with its Meteor F.4s, arrived Jefford|1988|p=48}}from RAF Horsham St Faith {{sfn|, on deployment for 8 days.

In the late 1950s flying was reduced to ground radar calibration under RAF Signals Command, upon the arrival of No. 115 Squadron RAF on 25 August 1958 from RAF Watton, with the Varsity T.1. The Valetta C.1 was introduced from August 1963 but the squadron moved back to Watton on 1 October 1963.[55] No. 245 Squadron RAF arrived on 25 August 1958 from Watton. The squadron was equipped with the Canberra B.2 but was disbanded on 19 April 1963, to become No. 98 Squadron.[84] No. 98 Squadron RAF used the Canberra B.2 until 1 October 1963 when it moved to RAF Watton.[54] Between January and March 1958 a detachment of No. 208 Squadron RAF operated here, training crews on the new Hunter F.6.[13]

The Joint Services Language School moved here and in 1960 the station was granted the "freedom of the City of Chichester", the event being marked by a march through the town and service in the Cathedral.[85]

No. 38 Group Tactical Communications Wing RAF and 244 Signal Squadron (Air Support) were the last units to leave the base, relocating to RAF Benson.

Some of the last flying units to be based at the station included:

Units:

In 1963–64 the last flying units left. However the station continued to be used for several years and, in 1968, Prince Charles took his first flying lesson at Tangmere.[96] The station finally closed on 16 October 1970;[97] a single Spitfire flew over the airfield as the RAF ensign was lowered for the last time.[98]

Present use

[edit]

Following the closure of the RAF station, some of the land around the runways was returned to farming. Tangmere Airfield Nurseries have built large glasshouses for the cultivation of peppers and aubergines.

RAF Tangmere Control Tower in 2009

Until 1983, 37 acres (150,000 m2) of barracks, admin blocks and repair workshops remained derelict until bought by Seawards Properties Ltd. Housing soon spread around the airfield, and most RAF buildings were demolished. Officers' quarters have been retained as homes and two original RAF buildings remain, the Grade II listed Control Tower, and one of the 'H Block' accommodation buildings.

The majority of the airfield is now farmed, and since 1979 the runways have slowly been removed thus returning the whole airfield back to large scale farming once again. In 2016 the final piece of apron and the three T.2 hangars were removed, with houses built in their place on a street called Hangar Drive.

The derelict control tower forms part of the farm but is now[as of?] bricked up and partly overgrown. It became a Grade II listed building in 2011 and was placed on the Heritage at Risk Register in 2015.[99] A campaign is currently underway to restore the control tower which has received local and national press coverage. This is being led by Tangmere Tower Community Interest Company, who restaged 'The Eisenhower Dinner' at the Chichester Harbour Hotel in 2019 to mark the 75th anniversary of General Eisenhower's original meal in 1944.[100] The CIC are working with the local Aviation Museum, the University of Chichester and Sussex Police and with their architect have submitted a planning application for phase one of the project.[citation needed]

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

[edit]
Main article: Tangmere Military Aviation Museum
Tangmere Air Museum, February 1995

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum was founded by a group of enthusiastic veterans. It has a replica Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane as well as many original aircraft, including Neville Duke's speed record Hawker Hunter. On display is the Gloster Meteor flown by Teddy Donaldson when he set the world air speed record in September 1946, breaking the 1,000 km/h barrier.[101]

34067 locomotive

[edit]

A number of Oliver Bulleid's light pacific locomotives were named after Battle of Britain squadrons, stations, or commanders. One such locomotive that is preserved and still in main line operation is named "Tangmere" (no 34067).[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

RAF Tangmere

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
RAF Tangmere was a station located near the village of Tangmere in , , operational from 1917 to 1970 and renowned for its roles in both world wars, particularly as a key fighter base during the and for hosting post-war world air speed records. Established in 1917 as a training base for the Royal Flying Corps, the airfield was handed over to the United States Army Signal Corps in 1918 for bomber training before being mothballed at the end of the First World War. It reopened in 1925 for the Fleet Air Arm and became fully operational in 1926 with No. 43 Squadron, serving as a frontline sector station by the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, when it was expanded to defend the south coast against German incursions using Hawker Hurricane fighters. During the in 1940, RAF Tangmere was a critical hub for No. 11 Group, Fighter Command, hosting squadrons such as No. 602 Squadron, which introduced Supermarine Spitfires at the nearby satellite airfield of Westhampnett, and enduring heavy bombing, including a devastating raid on 16 August 1940 by over 100 Stukas that killed 14 RAF personnel and six civilians. The station also served as a secret base for the (SOE), from which aircraft flew agents into occupied , and was home to notable pilots including the legless ace . It played a vital part in D-Day operations in 1944 as a control center for air support and hosted squadrons conducting both offensive and defensive missions. In the post-war era, RAF Tangmere transitioned to advanced testing and training, hosting the RAF High Speed Flight in 1946, which set a world air of 616 mph (991 km/h) with a modified F.4, and in 1953, where achieved 727 mph (1,171 km/h) in a F Mk 3. The station remained active with various squadrons until the mid-1960s and was used for private flying, including Prince Charles's first flying lesson in 1968, before closing on 16 October 1970 with a ceremonial by a Spitfire. Today, the site is largely converted to housing and agriculture, with the Tangmere preserving its legacy through exhibits on its aviation history and personnel.

History

World War I

RAF Tangmere was established in 1917 near the village of Tangmere, east of in , , as a training base for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), the precursor to the Royal Air Force. The airfield served primarily as a Training Depot Station (TDS), focusing on pilot instruction amid the expanding demands of aerial operations. Early operations involved squadrons such as No. 92 Squadron RFC, which arrived in March 1918 and conducted training flights using Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a fighters. Notable personnel included Captain Arthur Coningham, who commanded No. 92 Squadron from Tangmere starting 26 March 1918, and Captain James M. Robb, who flew S.E.5a aircraft with the unit in June 1918. Training at Tangmere during the RFC phase was marked by several incidents reflective of the era's high-risk flight instruction. For instance, on 7 April 1918, a (B5269) from No. 92 Squadron collided mid-air with an Avro 504A near the airfield, resulting in one fatality. Other squadrons, including Nos. 91 and 93, experienced crashes involving and ; examples include a (B5360) from No. 91 Squadron on 27 May 1918, where the pilot fainted leading to a fatal dive, and a (E4428) from No. 93 Squadron spinning in on 5 July 1918 with one killed. These events underscored the challenges of training on agile but unforgiving biplanes, though specific operational scale remained modest due to the airfield's recent construction. No combat sorties were recorded from the base, as it functioned solely for home-front preparation. In 1918, as the war progressed, Tangmere was transferred to the U.S. Army's Aviation Section of the Signal Corps (later the Air Service) to expand Allied capacity. The site was repurposed as a TDS for American personnel, focusing on instruction for the O/400 heavy , a twin-engined night capable of carrying up to 2,000 pounds of ordnance over long ranges. The 92nd Aero Squadron arrived on 15 , shortly after the , but full-scale operations were curtailed by the war's end; limited post- activity included familiarization flights with the O/400 and other types like the FE.2b. One notable incident involved an FE.2b from the USAAS Night Bombardment School spinning in on 14 , killing two. The transfer highlighted international cooperation, though the base saw only preparatory use before . Following the on 11 November 1918, Tangmere closed as a airfield in 1919. The facilities were dismantled, and the land reverted to agricultural purposes, with runways and hangars removed to restore farmland in the surrounding countryside. This period of dormancy lasted until the mid-1920s, marking the end of its initial role as a foundational training site.

Interwar Period

RAF Tangmere, originally established as a training airfield during , was reactivated in June 1925 under control as a storage unit for the before transitioning to full RAF operations on 23 November 1926 to bolster Britain's fighter capabilities amid interwar rearmament efforts. The station quickly became a key base for fighter squadrons, with No. 43 Squadron (nicknamed the Fighting Cocks) assigned in 1925 upon its reformation, initially operating from nearby sites before establishing at Tangmere. No. 1 Squadron joined on 1 February 1927, enhancing the airfield's role in peacetime air defense and marking a shift toward permanent fighter presence in . Squadron activities at Tangmere centered on transitioning through successive generations of fighters, reflecting rapid technological advancements in RAF . No. 43 Squadron equipped with Gloster Gamecock biplanes in late 1926, using them for interception and patrol duties that emphasized agility and short takeoff capabilities suited to the station's grass airfield. By the early , both No. 1 and No. 43 Squadrons adopted the , a more powerful monoplane that improved speed and climb rates for air superiority roles, with No. 1 Squadron reequipping in the mid-. As tensions escalated, early Hawker Hurricanes arrived in October 1938 for No. 1 Squadron, introducing all-metal design for enhanced performance in defensive patrols. Routine squadron rotations ensured operational readiness, with personnel and aircraft periodically reshuffled to maintain proficiency. Training at Tangmere during this period focused on practical exercises to prepare for potential conflicts, including fighter interception drills, dummy raids, and dive-bombing practice against naval targets like HMS Centurion off the coast. Annual air displays, such as the 1937 Empire Air Display, showcased squadron and by Nos. 1, 43, 72, and 87 Squadrons, demonstrating RAF prowess to the public and dignitaries while honing pilot skills. improvements in supported this expansion, including the construction of new hangars and barrack blocks like Building 116 in 1938 to accommodate additional squadrons and permanent staffing as Tangmere evolved into a frontline fighter station.

World War II

In anticipation of escalating conflict, RAF Tangmere underwent significant expansion in 1939, including the lengthening of its runways—one subsidiary runway extended to 1,400 yards—and the construction of dispersal pens to protect fighter aircraft from bombing. During the Battle of Britain from July to October 1940, Tangmere served as a vital Sector Station within No. 11 Group of Fighter Command, coordinating defenses over southern England. The station hosted several key squadrons, including Nos. 43, 145, and 601, equipped with Hurricanes and Spitfires for intercepting Luftwaffe raids, while No. 219 Squadron operated Blenheim night fighters to counter nocturnal intrusions. On 16 August 1940, a major Luftwaffe raid by Stuka dive-bombers devastated the airfield, destroying two hangars, damaging 16 aircraft and three others, and killing 20 personnel, including ground crew and Women's Auxiliary Air Force members; in response, the resident squadrons were temporarily relocated to nearby fields to maintain operational readiness. Following the , Tangmere continued as a frontline base for defensive and offensive roles, with No. 219 Squadron transitioning to Beaufighters for enhanced operations against German bombers. The station also supported the RAF Special Duty Service, where aircraft from No. 161 Squadron inserted and extracted agents into occupied from concealed sites near the airfield. Notable pilots based there included , who led the Tangmere Wing from March 1941 in Circus operations—escorting bombers on raids over Europe—and James Edgar "Johnnie" Johnson of No. 616 Squadron, who flew with Bader's formation and achieved numerous victories in Spitfire sweeps. In preparation for the invasion, Tangmere hosted the Wing of No. 11 Group, comprising squadrons such as No. 197, which conducted ground-attack missions with rocket-firing Hawker to disrupt German defenses ahead of D-Day on 6 June 1944. Post-landing, these squadrons provided , targeting troop concentrations, armor, and infrastructure in to aid Allied advances.

Postwar Operations

Following World War II, RAF Tangmere became the base for the Central Fighter Establishment (CFE), which arrived on 27 February 1945 from RAF Wittering and was responsible for advanced fighter pilot training and tactics development. The CFE focused on transitioning pilots to jet aircraft, utilizing early types such as the de Havilland Vampire and to simulate combat scenarios and refine interception techniques. This marked Tangmere's shift to peacetime operations, emphasizing instructional flights and experimental evaluations rather than frontline combat roles. In the 1950s, Tangmere continued its role in jet transition, hosting squadrons equipped with advanced fighters like the Meteor F.8 for day and night operations. No. 29 Squadron, based there from 1950 to 1957, conducted night fighter training with Meteors, contributing to home defense readiness during the early Cold War. The station also supported Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties, where aircraft were maintained on 15-minute readiness to intercept potential Soviet incursions, integrating radar intercepts and live-fire exercises unique to the era's escalating tensions. Tangmere gained prominence for aviation achievements, including world airspeed records set by the RAF High Speed Flight stationed there in 1946. E.M. Donaldson achieved 615.78 mph on 7 September 1946 in a modified F Mk 4 (EE549), flying a 3 km course off the coast near . This feat, part of efforts to advance jet performance limits, underscored Tangmere's infrastructure suitability for high-speed trials. By the 1960s, operations wound down amid defense cuts, with flying units like No. 115 and No. 245 Squadrons departing by 1963 after completing bomber training detachments. The station retained non-flying roles, such as the Joint Services Language School until 1964, but saw no major combat deployments. Official closure occurred on 16 October 1970, ending Tangmere's active RAF era.

Infrastructure and Facilities

Airfield Layout and Expansion

RAF Tangmere was initially established in as a training airfield featuring a grass landing surface equipped with seven Truss hangars and one large (HP) shed for accommodating bombers. During the 1930s, as part of the broader RAF expansion program, the airfield underwent upgrades that included the introduction of paved runways to support increased operational demands. In preparation for , between September 1939 and May 1940, the layout was further modified with the addition of new runways and bomb-blast pens to provide protective dispersals for parked aircraft against aerial attacks. The airfield's concrete runways and hardstandings were extended beyond the perimeter track in 1941, incorporating embanked blast pens and perimeter hangars for fighter dispersals, while main administrative and accommodation buildings were concentrated in the north-western corner. Postwar developments focused on adapting the infrastructure for jet operations, with the runways hardened and strengthened by the early 1950s to accommodate early jet fighters such as the , which conducted world air speed record attempts from the airfield in 1946. By 1963, the site featured two principal hardened runways and three Cold War-era T2 hangars to support transport and support command activities. The overall airfield occupied approximately 200 acres immediately south of Tangmere village, orienting its primary facilities southward from the historic village core along Church Lane.

Key Structures and Buildings

The Watch Office, also known as the control tower, at RAF Tangmere was constructed in 1944 to Drawing 12096/41 specifications for fighter stations, featuring a two-storey rendered brick and structure with an observation room. It replaced an earlier watch office destroyed during a raid on 16 August 1940 and served as the central hub for directing airfield operations, including takeoffs, landings, and coordination of fighter squadrons, until the station's closure in 1970. Pre-war hangars at RAF Tangmere included Belfast truss types dating from the station's origins in 1918, which were rebuilt during the but largely destroyed in the 1940 raid that damaged three others and wrecked associated workshops. Wartime expansions added temporary structures such as Bessoneau tents, Type T2 hangars, and blister variants, which facilitated maintenance and repairs for Spitfires and other fighters operated by squadrons like No. 43 and No. 601 during the and subsequent campaigns. Supporting facilities encompassed interwar-era permanent barracks rebuilt to house hundreds of and air personnel essential for squadron operations, along with briefing rooms integrated into the sector operations setup for No. 11 Group. Fuel storage was managed through a dedicated depot constructed in 1938–1939 at nearby Portfield in , designed specifically to supply to Tangmere and adjacent RAF stations via rail sidings. Following the station's decommissioning in 1970, extensive demolitions and repurposing occurred as part of land redevelopment for agriculture and housing; by the , the remaining hangars had been removed, leaving primarily the Grade II-listed control tower and a few wartime dispersals—concrete hardstands for dispersed parking—as extant features by 2025.

Current Use and Preservation

Land Reuse and Commercial Activities

Following the closure of RAF Tangmere in 1970, the majority of the site's land was returned to agricultural use during the , reverting to arable farming and pasture that had characterized the area prior to its military development. This transition allowed much of the former airfield to integrate back into the surrounding rural landscape of , with fields south and west of the site continuing as grazing land for local farms such as Church Farm House. A notable commercial repurposing within this agricultural framework occurred in the late 1980s, when Tangmere Airfield Nurseries was established on part of the site, initially with 7.5 acres of glasshouses in 1989 for cultivating sweet bell peppers. By 2025, the nurseries had expanded to 105 acres of sustainable glasshouse facilities, becoming the UK's largest dedicated pepper producer and supplying major retailers while emphasizing through integrated farm management. Peripheral areas of the former airfield have seen limited industrial development, including parks and focused on and warehousing, such as the Business Park located immediately north of the site. These developments, completed in phases through the , occupy non-historic zones and provide access to the A27, supporting local employment without encroaching on core legacy features. Environmental enhancements have accompanied the reuse, with site-wide drainage improvements via deep ditches that facilitate water management and foster biodiversity by providing habitats for small mammals and supporting grassland ecosystems across former runway areas now repurposed as farmland. These features contribute to the area's ecological value, though it lacks formal protected designations. As of 2025, agricultural activities remain dominant across the site, complemented by light industry and the established Tangmere Airfield Solar Farm, a 5 MW facility operational since 2015 on disused portions, with no active aviation operations in place.

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

The Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, located on a corner of the former RAF Tangmere airfield in West Sussex, was established in 1982 by a group of aviation enthusiasts to promote public awareness of the United Kingdom's military aviation heritage, educate future generations, and serve as a memorial to those who served and died at the station. Initially set up as a display within a preserved hangar, the museum has since expanded to preserve and showcase artifacts and aircraft associated with RAF Tangmere's history from World War I through the Cold War. Managed primarily by volunteers, it received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2017 in recognition of its community efforts. The museum's collections feature a selection of restored and replica aircraft that highlight key moments in British military aviation, including the Gloster Meteor F4 (EE549), the actual aircraft that set the world air speed record of 616 mph on September 7, 1946, piloted by Group Captain E.M. "Teddy" Donaldson from RAF Tangmere. Other notable exhibits include a full-scale of the Hawker Hurricane Mk I (L1679/JX-G), representing the type that served with No. 1 Squadron at Tangmere in 1939 before the outbreak of , and a of the prototype Supermarine Spitfire (K5054), built in 1983 under the guidance of Jeffrey Quill to honor designer . In addition to these aircraft, the collections encompass artifacts from RAF squadrons and individual pilots, such as squadron memorabilia, personal effects, and historical documents that illustrate Tangmere's role in operations like the . Facilities at the include purpose-built hangars housing the displays, interactive simulators that allow visitors to experience piloting historic , and Tangmere Hall, a multipurpose space used for events, exhibitions, and educational programs. The site also offers audio guides in English and Polish, a memorial garden, and a , attracting over 30,000 visitors annually who engage with its educational and commemorative offerings. In 2025, the museum hosted events marking significant anniversaries in RAF Tangmere's history, including a commemoration on August 16 for the 85th anniversary of the Luftwaffe's bombing raid on the airfield during the , featuring a and service in the memorial garden. It also organized a Victory 80 Street Party on May 11 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with live music, food stalls, open cockpits, and experiences. These activities integrated with recent publications, such as the RAF Tangmere in 100 Objects by Mark Hillier and Martin Mace, published in July 2025, which draws on the museum's collections to explore the airfield's history through artifacts, documents, and aviation art.

Control Tower Restoration

The control tower at the former RAF Tangmere airfield, constructed in 1944 during , was designated a Grade II on 3 August 2011 by in recognition of its historic significance as a Watch Office Type 12779. Following decades of neglect after ceasing operations in 1970, the structure was added to 's Heritage at Risk in 2015 due to severe deterioration from exposure to the elements and vandalism, which had left it in a perilous state with accelerating decay. Efforts to restore the tower gained renewed momentum in 2025 with the formation of the Save Tangmere Tower (CIC), registered under number 15086653, which held its inaugural ambassadors' meeting on 6 2025. The CIC, dedicated to preserving the site as a asset, builds on earlier campaigns launched around 2017 and aims to repurpose the building through professional architectural processes, including stages, while securing grants and donations. Initial progress includes completing site security and basic safety surveys, with ongoing efforts focused on a full estimated at £10,000, supported by . Planned features for the restored tower emphasize its role as an educational and commemorative facility, potentially incorporating spaces to highlight Tangmere's history, though detailed designs remain in early development pending further surveys. The CIC has forged partnerships with local stakeholders, including Council, which approved initial planning applications in 2019, and aviation heritage groups such as the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, which expressed strong support during the 2025 inaugural meeting. Restoration faces significant challenges, including the tower's advanced dereliction from prolonged weather exposure, which has compromised its structural integrity, and the need for specialist heritage-compliant repairs to maintain its listed status. As of November 2025, fundraising remains in its preliminary phase, with the CIC actively seeking grants and community contributions to advance beyond initial assessments, though no comprehensive cost estimate for the full project has been publicly detailed beyond phased targets.

Legacy and Commemoration

Aviation Records and Achievements

RAF Tangmere played a pivotal role in postwar aviation milestones through the efforts of the RAF High Speed Flight and later the Central Fighter Establishment (CFE), which was based there from 1945. In September 1946, E. M. "Teddy" Donaldson, commanding the High Speed Flight, set a new world of 615.78 mph (990.79 km/h) in a modified F Mk 4 (EE549) over a 3 km course off the coast near Rustington. This achievement surpassed the previous jet record of 606 mph set by a in 1945 and marked a significant advancement in British technology, with the aircraft's modified Derwent engines and streamlined modifications enabling the high-speed run. The station's contributions continued into the early 1950s under the CFE, which evaluated fighter tactics and . On 7 September 1953, Squadron Leader established another world air speed record of 727.63 mph (1,171.01 km/h), certified by the , flying a modified F Mk 3 (WB188) along a measured course between and . The official average speed temporarily exceeded contemporary American and Soviet marks, highlighting Tangmere's infrastructure for low-level, high-speed testing. These records were achieved amid CFE trials that tested the limits of early jet fighters, providing critical data on , , and structural integrity that influenced subsequent RAF designs like the . The F Mk 4 and Hunter F Mk 3 involved in these feats are preserved at the , serving as tangible links to the station's legacy. Prior to its disbandment in , Tangmere facilitated RAF research pushing toward supersonic flight, with CFE operations contributing to the evolution of and supersonic fighter capabilities through rigorous speed and maneuverability evaluations.

Cultural and Historical References

One notable cultural tribute to RAF Tangmere is the SR Battle of Britain Class No. 34067, named "Tangmere" in recognition of the airfield's pivotal role in the . Built in September 1947 at the Southern Railway's Works, the locomotive was withdrawn from service in July 1964 and acquired for preservation in March 1965 by the Motor Club, marking it as one of the earliest preserved examples of its type. After restoration, it returned to steam in 2003 and has since operated on heritage railways and mainline excursions, including recent tours hauled by the , symbolizing the enduring legacy of the station's wartime contributions. Publications have played a key role in documenting Tangmere's history beyond aviation specifics, with the 2025 book RAF Tangmere in 100 Objects by Martin Cherrett offering a detailed exploration of artifacts and personal stories from the site's past, including its social and communal impacts during and after the war. Earlier works such as Byron's Tangmere: Famous Fighter Station (2013), provided authorized histories that captured the station's evolution from through its closure, drawing on eyewitness accounts and archival materials to highlight its broader historical significance. In media representations, RAF Tangmere features in the 1969 film , where it is referenced as a key RAF station during the conflict, with character backstories tied to the base, including a pilot's widow who served there as a test flight observer. The site's legacy continues in commemorative events, such as the Victory 80 Street Party held at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum on May 11, 2025, which included live music, food stalls, displays, and flight simulators to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Memorials at Tangmere honor the fallen pilots through the Tangmere Memorial Garden, established in 1994 within the museum grounds and featuring multiple plaques and monuments dedicated to those lost in , including a central plinth, a cross relic, and inscriptions evoking remembrance such as "At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them." These sites facilitate ongoing tributes, including annual ceremonies by RAF squadrons that involve wreath-layings to commemorate the personnel who served at the station.

References

  1. http://rceasussex.org.uk/2012/01/10/history-of-raf-tangmere-1916-1979/
  2. https://history.port.ac.uk/?p=2955
  3. https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/battle-of-britain-hall/
  4. https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/tangmere-hall/
  5. https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/place/tangmere
  6. https://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/australi/coningham.php
  7. https://collections.rafmuseum.org.uk/collection/inventory/?q3=969
  8. https://air-britain.com/pdfs/military/Crashes_in_the_South_East.pdf
  9. https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/305717-united-states-aero-squadrons-in-the-uk/
  10. https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=609548&resourceID=19191
  11. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1026085
  12. https://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn001-5.htm
  13. https://www.gruppofalchi.com/files/Profile-Publications-Aircraft-033---Gloster-Gamecock.pdf
  14. https://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/1_wwII.html
  15. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80004622
  16. https://screenarchive.brighton.ac.uk/detail/8965/
  17. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1391924
  18. https://www.scribd.com/document/324304650/Nine-Thousand-Miles-of-Concrete
  19. https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-two/world-war-two-in-western-europe/battle-of-britain/raf-tangmere/
  20. https://westsussexrecordofficeblog.com/2020/09/15/west-sussex-airfields-and-the-battle-of-britain-1940/
  21. https://battleofbritain1940.com/raf-fighter-command-stations-of-the-battle-of-britain/11-group/
  22. https://www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/battle-of-britain/fighter-command-order-of-battle-10th-july-1940.php
  23. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-10703466
  24. https://www.lordashcroft.com/2025/08/85-years-later-honoring-the-valiant-ground-crew-of-the-battle-of-britain/
  25. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/archive-exhibitions/battle-of-britain-class-locomotive-plates/squadron-personal-biographies/
  26. http://rceasussex.org.uk/2015/09/15/raf-tangmere-and-the-special-operations-executive/
  27. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/douglas-bader-fighter-pilot/a-fighter-pilot-again/
  28. https://acesofww2.com/UK/aces/johnson/
  29. https://www.197typhoon.org.uk/
  30. https://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/197_wwII.html
  31. https://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/Estab2.htm
  32. https://www.key.aero/article/how-cold-war-raf-evaluated-new-aircraft-or-tactics
  33. https://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-T.htm
  34. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/research-enquiries/history-of-aviation-timeline/british-military-aviation/1962-2/
  35. https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/meet-teddy-donaldson-record-breaker-1200641
  36. https://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Donaldson.htm
  37. https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/tangmere/
  38. https://www.chichester.gov.uk/media/26025/Tangmere-Neighbourhood-Plan-Referendum-version-March-2016/pdf/Tangmere_NP_Post_Examination_plan_for_referendum_May_2016a.pdf
  39. https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/TheHighWoodsfromaboveNationalMappingProgramme.pdf
  40. https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/gloster-meteor-f-mk-iv/
  41. https://www.chichester.gov.uk/media/3159/Tangmere-Conservation-Area-Character-Appraisal/pdf/Tangmere_CA_Review_-_Final.pdf
  42. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1403165
  43. http://derelictmisc.org.uk/psd.html
  44. https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/portfield-sidings-near-chichester.214791/
  45. https://www.sussexlive.co.uk/news/sussex-news/sussex-grade-ii-control-tower-7553589
  46. https://tangmere.co.uk/growing-peppers/
  47. https://tangmere.co.uk/our-company/
  48. https://leaf.eco/farming/leaf-demonstration-farms/tangmere-airfield-nurseries-ltd
  49. https://thechichesterbusinesspark.co.uk/
  50. https://www.flude.com/property/details/5500/Open-Storage-Plot-10-Chichester-Business-Park-City-Fields-Way-Chichester-PO20-Occupiers-B8-Storage-and-Distribution-
  51. https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/planning/local-environmental-projects/west-sussex-renewable-energy-projects/
  52. https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/
  53. https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/about-us/
  54. https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/volunteer/
  55. https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/gloster-meteor-f4/
  56. https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/hawker-hurricane-mk-1/
  57. https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/prototype-spitfire/
  58. https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/what-to-see/
  59. https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/flight-simulators-2/
  60. https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/momentous-moments-at-tangmere-military-aviation-museum-the-epicentre-of-local-military-history-4528256
  61. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TMAMAdmin/posts/4194704004142826/
  62. https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/activity/tangmere-military-aviation-museum-victory-80-street-party/
  63. https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/RAF-Tangmere-in-100-Objects-Hardback/p/15670
  64. https://savetangmeretower.com/timeline/
  65. https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/work-to-begin-on-crumbling-tangmere-control-tower-3868159
  66. https://www.instagram.com/p/DPddiUfCJoq/
  67. https://savetangmeretower.com/about-us/
  68. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tangmere-tower
  69. https://www.key.aero/article/high-level-support-tangmere-tower
  70. https://www.facebook.com/tangmeretower/
  71. https://www.key.aero/article/world-beaters
  72. https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/hawker-hunter-mk3/
  73. https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/the-day-the-world-air-speed-record-was-broken-on-the-sussex-coast-4958984
  74. https://www.rafht.co.uk/index.php/2016/06/24/central-fighter-establishment/
  75. https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/34067-tangmere-sr-21c167-br-s21c167-br-34067/
  76. https://www.railwaytouring.net/34067-tangmere
  77. https://www.ww2today.com/p/25-11-02-raf-tangmere-in-100-objects
  78. https://theaviationist.com/2024/09/15/the-incredible-armada-of-aircraft-behind-1969s-battle-of-britain-film/
  79. https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/16868
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.