RAF Deanland

RAF Deanland
IATA: none – ICAO: none
Summary
Airport type	Military
Owner	Air Ministry
Operator	Royal Air Force
Location	Ripe, East Sussex
Built	1943
In use	1943-1944
Elevation AMSL	62 ft / 19 m
Coordinates	50°52′50″N 000°09′09″E / 50.88056°N 0.15250°ECoordinates: 50°52′50″N 000°09′09″E / 50.88056°N 0.15250°E
Map
RAF Deanland Location in East Sussex
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 00/00 0 0 grass

RAF Deanland is a former Royal Air Force advanced landing ground located 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Hailsham, East Sussex and 13.4 miles (21.6 km) north east of Brighton, East Sussex, England

History

The airfield was heavily involved in the fight against the V-1 flying bomb's (with 185 destroyed) and during D-Day^[1] where it is believed to be home of the first Supermarine Spitfire squadron to provide air cover.^[2]

The landing ground was used by multiple units:

• No. 64 Squadron RAF.^[3]
• No. 91 Squadron RAF.^[4]
• No. 234 Squadron RAF.^[5]
• No. 302 Squadron RAF.^[6]
• No. 308 Squadron RAF.^[7]
• No. 317 Squadron RAF.^[8]
• No. 322 Squadron RAF.^[8]
• No. 345 Squadron RAF.^[9]
• No. 611 Squadron RAF.^[10]
• No. 131 Airfield.^[11]
• No. 149 Airfield.^[11]
• No. 149 (Long Range Fighter) Wing.^[11]

Current use

Deanland Airfield in 2013.

The Airfield was dormant for a time, post-war, but the land came into the ownership of Richard Chandless, a farmer, who reactivated the site as an airfield in 1963. Richard operated his own aircraft, and he was for a number of years the main U.K. agent for Avions Pierre Robin demonstrating and selling new and used aircraft from Deanland. Richard invited a number of other aircraft owners to keep their machines at Deanland. During Chandless' time Deanland became a very active airfield, both day and night, lights were installed shortly after the runway was re-activated. It was used by a number of local business people, farmers and visitors to the area. With Glyndebourne Opera House close it was very normal to see both light aircraft and helicopters parked while their owners enjoyed the opera. In 1991 the airfield came into the ownership of Deanland Airfield LLP. In 2012 the airfield is still in use as a private airstrip.^[11]

References

Citations

1. "Our History is as bright as our future.". Deanland Park Homes Estate. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
2. "Deanland Wood Park". Chalvington with Ripe Parish Council. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
3. Jefford 1988, p. 45.
4. Jefford 1988, p. 52.
5. Jefford 1988, p. 75.
6. Jefford 1988, p. 84.
7. Jefford 1988, p. 85.
8. Jefford 1988, p. 86.
9. Jefford 1988, p. 88.
10. Jefford 1988, p. 100.
11. "Deanland". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 10 September 2012.

Bibliography

• Jefford MBE, Wg Cdr C G (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.

External links

• Official web site