When did RAF Hawkinge close?

When did RAF Hawkinge close?

RAF Hawkinge
Built 1915
In use October 1915-8 December 1961
Fate Site redeveloped for housing estate and museum
Battles/wars First World War, Second World War

What Squadron based at Hawkinge?

277 (Air Sea Rescue) Squadron, flying Lysander, Defiant and the amphibious Walrus, took up their base at Hawkinge.

How was hawkinge used in World War 2?

In February 1940, the command of the base was transferred to No 11 Group Fighter Command. Because of its geographical setting, Hawkinge was to play a major role in the Dunkirk evacuation. As a forward air base, many squadrons that would arrive at dawn, refuel and fly on to the coast of France used Hawkinge.

How many RAF pilots died in ww2?

During the Second World War, the RAF reached a total strength of 1,208,000 men and women, of whom 185,000 were aircrew. About 70,000 RAF personnel were killed.

Is hawkinge a town or a village?

Hawkinge (/ˈhɔːkɪndʒ/ HAW-kinj) is now a town and civil parish in the Folkestone and Hythe district of Kent, England. The original village of Hawkinge is actually just less than a mile (c.

What is the longest runway in UK?

London Heathrow 09L/27R
Longest Runway in the UK London Heathrow 09L/27R at 12,799ft x 164ft (3,902m x 50m) is currently the longest active runway in the UK.

How long is Manston runway?

Manston Airport

Direction Length
m ft
10/28 2,748 9,016

How high is hawkinge above sea level?

155 m
Hawkinge

Latitude in decimal degrees: 51.11276
Longitude in decimal degrees: 1.16176
Latitude in degrees, minutes, and seconds: 51° 7′ 46″ North
Longitude in degrees, minutes, and seconds: 1° 10′ 42″ East
Height above sea level: 155 m, 508.53 ft, 6102.37 in

What’s it like to live in Folkestone?

Folkestone has a great community spirit with a really welcoming, family friendly vibe. Whilst it can be very seasonal and busier in the seaside months, much like any seaside town, crime rates are fairly low all year round and are lower than average for the Kent area.

What does RAF Hawkinge stand for?

Royal Air Force Hawkinge or more simply RAF Hawkinge is a former Royal Air Force station located 2.2 miles (3.5 km) north of Folkestone, Kent and 7.1 miles (11.4 km) west of Dover, Kent, England. The airfield was used by both the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force during its lifetime and was involved during…

What was Hawkinge used for in WW2?

World War II. During World War II, RAF Hawkinge was the closest operational airfield to France and was used during the Battle of Britain. The airfield is now the site of extensive residential development, which has expanded Hawkinge’s population to 9,000. Depending on further building, the population is still expected to grow to 11,000.

What happened to Hawkinge Air Force base?

On September 3 rd 1945, the RAF officially closed the fighter base though it did have several short-term tasks after the war – as a WAAF training school and a gliding school. Literally on the front line, Hawkinge played a major part in the success of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain.

When was the first recorded flight from Hawkinge?

The first recorded flight from Hawkinge was in January 1910. Megone left just before the Royal Flying Corps arrived in 1915 to establish a primitive airfield from which they were to ferry various aircraft to and fro across the English Channel.