RAF Hornchurch

The closure of RAF Hornchurch was a result of post-World War II military rationalisation and technological advancements. As the Cold War progressed, the nature of air defence changed. The advent of jet aircraft, such as the Gloster Meteor and Hawker Hunter, required longer, paved runways. The airfield at Hornchurch, with its grass runways and proximity to the growing suburbs of London, was unsuitable for expansion and modern jet operations. Its role as a front-line fighter station became obsolete, and the Air Ministry declared the site surplus to requirements. Flying operations had largely ceased by 1952, and the station was used for non-flying units, including an Aircrew Selection Centre, until its final closure in 1962.

The site of the former airfield has been completely redeveloped and repurposed. The majority of the area is now Hornchurch Country Park, a large public park and local nature reserve. The park features walking trails, fishing lakes (which are former gravel pits excavated after the airfield's closure), and abundant wildlife. Several remnants of the airfield's military past are preserved within the park, including pillboxes, Tett turrets, and the concrete bases of former hangars and buildings. The former married quarters area to the south of the airfield has been developed into a large housing estate, often referred to as the 'Airfield Estate'. The Hornchurch Heritage Centre, located on the edge of the park, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the airfield.

RAF Hornchurch holds a pivotal place in British military aviation history, particularly for its role in the defence of London.

**World War I (as Sutton's Farm):** The site first opened in 1915 as Sutton's Farm airfield. It was a key Home Defence base protecting London from German Zeppelin and Gotha bomber raids. Its most famous action was on the night of 2-3 September 1916, when Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson of No. 39 Squadron, flying a B.E.2c from Sutton's Farm, shot down the German airship Schütte-Lanz SL 11. This was the first German airship to be brought down over Britain, earning Robinson a Victoria Cross and making the airfield famous.

**Inter-War Period:** The airfield was closed after WWI but reopened in 1928, renamed RAF Hornchurch. It was extensively redeveloped and became a crucial Sector Station within No. 11 Group of Fighter Command, responsible for a significant portion of London's air defence.

**World War II & The Battle of Britain:** Hornchurch was arguably one of the most important fighter stations during the Battle of Britain (1940). Due to its strategic location, it was at the forefront of the conflict, bearing the brunt of Luftwaffe attacks and launching constant sorties to intercept enemy formations. The station was home to numerous famous squadrons flying Spitfires and Hurricanes, including Nos. 41, 54, 65, 74, 222, and 603 Squadrons. Many of the RAF's highest-scoring aces, such as Adolph 'Sailor' Malan and Al Deere, flew from Hornchurch during this period. The station itself was heavily bombed on several occasions. After the Battle of Britain, it continued to play a vital offensive role, conducting fighter sweeps over occupied Europe and providing air cover for the D-Day landings in 1944.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening RAF Hornchurch as an airport. The land has been fundamentally transformed into a public park and a densely populated residential area. Re-establishing an airfield on the site is physically, environmentally, and politically impossible given its current use and its location within the Greater London urban area.