The RAF began using the Gravesend London East airfield from 1937 when a training school was set up there. In 1939 the airfield was requisitioned by the RAF becoming a satellite site for RAF Biggin Hill and part of 11 Group.
A number of fighter squadrons flew from Gravesend, these included 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron who had within its ranks the Battle of Britain’s second highest scoring ace James Harry “Ginger” Lacey, 66 Squadron which flew Spitfires from the airfield and 92 (East India) Squadron.
In the later years of the war the airfield was extended to accommodate three American fighter squadrons. RAF Gravesend was also the first British airfield to have the P51 Mustang III flown from it. It was also used in the event of an emergency by bombers returning from sorties over Europe.
In 1956 the RAF finally left the airfield and after a failed attempt to return it back to civilian use it became a housing estate with only some remnants of its past remaining. One such remnant is the remaining piece of perimeter track.
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6 апр 2021
