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Thakeham

Major
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

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Plan of Thakeham. Courtesy of Ed Andrews

Home Defence Flight Station(s):

Gosport / Penshurst (Chiddingstone Causeway) / Telscombe Cliffs

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