RAF Penshurst

Penshurst Airfield RAF Penshurst
The site of Penshurst Airfield, February 2010
IATA: none ICAO: none
Summary
Airport type	Closed
Serves	Penshurst, Kent
Location	Leigh, Kent
Built	1916
In use	1916–1936 1940–1946
Occupants	2 Wireless School RFC 268 Squadron RAF 653 Squadron RAF 661 Squadron RAF 664 Squadron RAF
Elevation AMSL	177 ft / 54 m
Coordinates	51°12′N 0°11′E / 51.200°N 0.183°E / 51.200; 0.183Coordinates: 51°12′N 0°11′E / 51.200°N 0.183°E / 51.200; 0.183
Map
Penshurst Airfield Location in Kent
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m E/W 2,000 610 Grass

Penshurst Airfield was an airfield in operation between 1916–36 and 1940–46. Initially a military airfield, after the First World War it was used as an alternate destination to Croydon Airport, with some civil flying taking place. The airfield closed following the crash of a Flying Flea at an air display in 1936, and was converted to a polo ground.

It re-opened during the Second World War as an Emergency Landing Ground, RAF Penshurst. As well as serving in this role, it was mainly used by Air Observation Post (AOP) squadrons of the Royal Air Force. The airfield finally closed in May 1946.

The airfield was located south of Charcott, on the western edge of Leigh, and eastern edge of Chiddingstone, at 51°12′N 0°11′E / 51.200°N 0.183°E / 51.200; 0.183 (TQ 525 468). The parish boundary running through the site. It was named Penshurst as it was considered that name was more up-market than Chiddingstone Causeway or Leigh. The airfield was some 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Penshurst. Nearby Penshurst railway station lies within the parish of Chiddingstone.

An airfield was established at Penshurst in December 1916. The airfield had a grass runway. The site measured 800 yd (730 m) from north to south and 400 yd (370 m) from east to west. In total it extended to 72 acres (29 ha). Facilities included two hangars of 130 ft × 60 ft (40 m × 18 m), and a 2,000 ft (610 m) long grass runway, aligned east-west. A large house, Knotley Hall, which stood to the south of the airfield was requisitioned for use as the officer's accommodation. During 1917, Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12 aircraft of No. 78 Squadron RFC were based at Penshurst.