Thorney Island
Did you know?
"Despite its title, this area of land is not an island but a peninsula. Thorney Island has always proved an isolated area and coastal walkers are still required to provide extensive security details to gain entry to a footpath.
"| Also known as: | Baker Barracks / RAF Thorney Island / Thorney / Thorney Island Aerodrome |
| County: | West Sussex |
| Current Status: | Army barracks |
| Date: | 3 February 1938 - 31 March 1976 |
| Current Use: | Disused |
| Used By: | RAF / RAF (Polish) / FAA / RAAF / RCAF / RNZAF |
The following organisations are either based at, use and/or have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield (as at 01/07/2013):
- 12 Regiment Royal Artillery
- 16 Regiment Royal Artillery
- Chichester and District Model Aero Club
- St Nicholas Church, West Thorney
- Thorney Island Community Primary School
- Thorney Island HIVE
- Thorney Island Sailing Club
- West Thorney Parish Meeting
Notable Past Associated Organisations:
- Chichester Kart Club
- Southsea Motor Club
Main unit(s) present:
- No 1 Coastal Artillery Co-operation Unit
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No 1 Torpedo Training Unit
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No 2 ANS
- No 2 APC
- 2nd Tactical Air Force Communication Flight
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No 3 General Reconnaissance Unit
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No 8 AACU
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No 12 Sqn
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No 20 ACHU
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No 20 (Fighter) Sector
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No 20 (Fighter) Wing
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No 21 ACHU
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No 21 Sqn
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No 22 Sqn
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No 24 ACHU
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No 36 Sqn
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No 42 Sqn
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No 46 Sqn
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No 48 Sqn
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No 53 Sqn
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No 56 Sqn
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No 59 Sqn
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No 63 Sqn
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No 80 Sqn
- No 83 Gp Communication Sqn
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No 83 Gp Support Unit
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No 86 Sqn
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No 92 (Forward) Staging Post
- No 109 Sqn
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No 123 Airfield
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No 123 (Rocket Projectile) Wing
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No 129 Sqn
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No 130 Sqn
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No 131 Sqn
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No 136 Airfield
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No 136 (Fighter) Wing
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No 140 (Bomber) Wing
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No 143 Sqn
- No 161 GS
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No 164 Sqn
- No 179 Sqn
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No 183 Sqn
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No 193 Sqn
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No 198 Sqn
- No 206 Sqn
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No 217 Sqn
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No 220 Sqn
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No 222 Sqn
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No 233 Sqn
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No 235 Sqn
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No 236 Sqn
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No 242 OCU
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No 248 Sqn
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No 254 Sqn
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No 278 Sqn
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No 280 Sqn
- No 304 Sqn
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No 404 Sqn
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No 407 Sqn
- No 413 (Polish) Repair & Salvage Unit
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No 415 Sqn
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No 431 Flight
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No 455 Sqn
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No 464 Sqn
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No 487 Sqn
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No 489 Sqn
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No 547 Sqn
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No 609 Sqn
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No 612 Sqn
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No 703 Sqn
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No 704 Sqn
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No 810 Sqn
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No 811 Sqn
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No 812 Sqn
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No 816 Sqn
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No 818 Sqn
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No 819 Sqn
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No 822 Sqn
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No 825 Sqn
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No 827 Sqn
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No 833 Sqn
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No 836 Sqn
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No 838 Sqn
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No 842 Sqn
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No 848 Sqn
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No 854 Sqn
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No 855 Sqn
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No 1112 Marine Craft Unit
- No 1317 Mobile Wing RAF Regiment
- No 1426 (Enemy Aircraft Circus) Flight
- No 2724 Sqn RAF Regiment
- No 2760 Sqn RAF Regiment
- No 2772 Sqn RAF Regiment
- No 2773 Sqn RAF Regiment
- No 2821 Sqn RAF Regiment
- No 2848 Sqn RAF Regiment
- No 3206 Servicing Commando
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Air-Sea Warfare Development Unit
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Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit
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Andover OCU
- Coastal Command Fighter Circus (Section)
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Engine Control Instructional Flight
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School of General Reconnaissance
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Survival and Rescue Training Unit
Members of No 487 Squadron in front of a de Havilland Mosquito at Thorney Island. Courtesy of New Zealand Bomber Command Association
Members of No 487 Squadron in front of a de Havilland Mosquito at Thorney Island before heading to France. Courtesy of New Zealand Bomber Command Association
Aerial view of Thorney Island airfield, 1982. © Dave Welch.
Runway lights at Thorney Island, 21 January 2014.
Southsea Motor Club time trials at Thorney Island in the 1950s. Courtesy of SouthseaMotorClub
Queen Elizabeth II visits Thorney Island, 1964. Courtesy of British Movietone
The third international helicopter meeting at Thorney Island, 1969. Courtesy of British Pathé
More footage from the third international helicopter meeting at Thorney Island, 1969. Courtesy of British Movietone
| Parent(s)/HQ Airfield(s): | |
| Decoy Airfield(s): |