RAF Tangmere

The closure of RAF Tangmere was a result of the post-World War II strategic defence reviews and subsequent reduction in the size of the Royal Air Force. The 1957 Defence White Paper, in particular, marked a shift in UK defence policy towards nuclear deterrents and missiles, leading to the closure of many traditional fighter bases. By the late 1960s, Tangmere's role had diminished, and its infrastructure, including shorter runways, was less suited for the larger and more advanced jet aircraft of the era compared to other 'master' airfields. Its closure was part of a broader consolidation of RAF assets for economic and strategic reasons.

The site of the former RAF Tangmere has been almost completely redeveloped. The runways and most of the taxiways have been removed. The land is now used for a variety of purposes:

- **Housing:** A significant portion of the former airfield is now occupied by modern housing estates. Many of the street names pay homage to the airfield's history, such as Bader Road, Spitfire Way, Hurricane Drive, and Neville Duke Way.
- **Agriculture:** Some of the outlying land has returned to agricultural use.
- **Tangmere Military Aviation Museum:** The most significant legacy on the site is the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum. Located on the south-western corner of the old airfield, it is a major attraction dedicated to preserving the history of RAF Tangmere and UK military aviation. It features numerous aircraft, artifacts, interactive displays, and a memorial to the pilots who served there. The original Station guardhouse now serves as part of the museum's entrance.

Very few original airfield buildings remain, with the control tower and main hangars having been demolished.

RAF Tangmere holds a distinguished place in British military aviation history.

- **Establishment and Inter-War Period:** First used by the Royal Flying Corps in 1917, it was established as a permanent RAF station in 1926. In the inter-war years, it became a key fighter base, home to famous squadrons such as No. 1 Squadron and No. 43 Squadron ('The Fighting Cocks').

- **Battle of Britain:** Tangmere's most famous role was as a front-line Sector Station in No. 11 Group, Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain in 1940. It was one of the most important airfields defending southern England from Luftwaffe attacks. Squadrons of Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires flew countless sorties from its runways. The station itself was heavily bombed on August 16, 1940, causing extensive damage and casualties, but it remained operational. The legendary legless fighter ace, Wing Commander Douglas Bader, flew from Tangmere during this period.

- **Later WWII and D-Day:** Throughout the war, it hosted numerous squadrons and aircraft types, including Westland Whirlwind and Hawker Typhoon fighter-bombers, playing a vital role in offensive operations over occupied Europe and in the preparations for the D-Day landings.

- **The Jet Age and World Speed Records:** After the war, Tangmere transitioned into the jet age, operating aircraft like the Gloster Meteor. It became famous as the base for the RAF's High Speed Flight. Two World Air Speed Records were set by aircraft flying from Tangmere:
1. **September 7, 1946:** Group Captain Edward 'Teddy' Donaldson reached 616 mph (991 km/h) in a Gloster Meteor F.4.
2. **September 7, 1953:** Squadron Leader Neville Duke reached 727.63 mph (1,171 km/h) in the prototype Hawker Hunter F.3, the first time the record had exceeded 700 mph.

- **Final Years:** In its later years, the station's operational flying role decreased, and it eventually became home to units of Signals Command before its final closure.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening RAF Tangmere as an active airport. The extensive and well-established housing developments built directly on the former operational areas, including the runways, make any such proposal logistically and financially unfeasible. The site's function as an airfield is now purely historical.