RAF Lympne

RAF Lympne
Name	Lympne Airfield
Location	Lympne, Kent
Country	England
Caption	Main airfield in the 1940s
Type	Airfield
Ownership	Air Ministry
Operator	Royal Air Force
Used	1916–present
Battles	Battle of Britain, Second World War
Elevation	20 ft

RAF Lympne

RAF Lympne was a Royal Air Force station located near Lympne, Hythe, and Folkestone in Kent, England. Established during First World War expansions, the airfield became notable for its roles in Second World War operations, pioneering civil aviation services, and post-war redevelopment into a civil airfield and event venue. The station's history links to prominent figures and units such as Arthur Harris, Keith Park, Bomber Command, and commercial operators like Imperial Airways.

History

Lympne's origins trace to 1916 when Royal Flying Corps detachments used the site, later formalised under the Royal Air Force reorganisation after 1918. During the interwar years Lympne hosted experimental flights by de Havilland, Handley Page, and Short Brothers, while serving as a base for Imperial Airways and British Airways precursor operations linking Croydon Airport and continental hubs like Le Touquet. In the late 1930s Lympne underwent expansion under the Air Ministry rearmament programme, becoming part of RAF Fighter Command's network and preparing for conflicts that would involve formations from No. 11 Group RAF and detachments influenced by commanders such as Hugh Dowding and Keith Park.

Station layout and facilities

The airfield featured grass runways initially, with later construction of perimeter tracks, dispersals, and hardened stands reflecting practices used by RAF stations across Southeast England. Facilities included technical and maintenance sheds used by units flying Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire, and Bristol Blenheim types, as well as passenger terminals for early international services akin to those at Croydon Airport and Heston Aerodrome. Anti-aircraft defences around Lympne were coordinated with local Home Guard units and nearby batteries associated with Anti-Aircraft Command, while nearby transport links connected to the A20 road and railways serving Hythe and Ashford. Hangars accommodated aircraft from civil carriers such as Airwork and military squadrons from formations like No. 59 Squadron RAF.

Operational units and aircraft

Throughout its service life Lympne hosted a diverse array of units and types, including fighter squadrons operating Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire, and later Gloster Meteor jets, bomber and reconnaissance crews in Bristol Blenheim, Airspeed Oxford, and coastal types such as the Lockheed Hudson. Notable squadrons with spells at Lympne included No. 1 Squadron RAF, No. 19 Squadron RAF, No. 56 Squadron RAF, and No. 85 Squadron RAF, alongside special duties and ferrying units linked to 1960s civil conversions. Lympne was also used by civilian operators like Silver City Airways and British United Airways for trooping and cross-Channel services, with corporate visits from manufacturers such as Hawker Siddeley and testing activity related to de Havilland DH.88 Comet endeavours.

Role in World War II

Lympne played a prominent role during the Battle of Britain and the wider Second World War campaign, acting as a forward fighter base used against Luftwaffe raids and for intercept operations from RAF Fighter Command's No. 11 Group RAF. The airfield suffered heavy bombing during the Channel Dash period and subsequent raids linked to The Blitz, drawing damage similar to that experienced at Biggin Hill and RAF Kenley. From Lympne, squadrons flew defensive sorties over the English Channel and offensive operations targeting ports such as Dunkirk and Calais, while coastal reconnaissance missions tracked movements of Kriegsmarine vessels. The base also served in support of Operation Dynamo evacuation efforts and later hosted units contributing to preparations for Operation Overlord.

Post-war use and redevelopment

After Victory in Europe Day, Lympne transitioned to peacetime roles including civil aviation, maintenance and storage under organisations like British European Airways and maintenance contractors such as Airwork. The 1950s and 1960s saw jet conversion training and occasional Cold War readiness tasks involving Royal Auxiliary Air Force elements and NATO-associated activities. Gradually the site diversified into commercial airport operations, hosting low-cost and charter carriers akin to Lydd Airport and becoming the focus of redevelopment proposals that included business parks, film productions, and community events. In later decades, conservation and heritage groups linked to Royal Air Force Museum projects and local councils advocated preservation of historic buildings while parts of the airfield were repurposed for motorsport, exhibitions, and light industry in collaboration with entities like Kent County Council.

Accidents and incidents

Lympne's operational record includes several notable accidents and wartime incidents, from fighter losses during the Battle of Britain to peacetime crashes involving civil transports such as Handley Page Hermes and military types including Avro Lancaster and Gloster Meteor. Luftwaffe bombing raids caused runway and infrastructure damage with civilian and military casualties comparable to events at Coventry Airport and Croydon Airport airfields. Post-war incidents prompted investigations by authorities like the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and contributed to aviation safety changes mirrored across United Kingdom airfields.

Category:Royal Air Force stations in Kent Category:Airports established in 1916