The History of Redhill Aerodrome

Redhill Aerodrome commenced operations in 1934 to accommodate the original Redhill Flying Club. Imperial Airways started to use it as an alternate to the then London airport at Croydon.

In 1937 the RAF established the Elementary and Reserve Training Schools at Redhill. By 1938 these schools were operating alongside the twelve DeHavland moth aircraft operated by Redhill Flying Club. Two years later Redhill became a satellite aerodrome for RAF Kenley and in 1941 No 1 Hurricane Squadron moved in. Spitfires replaced the Hurricanes and throughout the period 1942 - 1944 Canadian and Polish Squadrons flew from the Aerodrome. It was also the headquarters of No 2 Tactical Air Force Group. Prior to D-Day over two hundred fighter aircraft were based here to support the invasion forces.

At the end of WW2 the Aerodrome was used for the storage of unused bombs, which were finally cleared by the end of 1946. Civilian flying operations, including a gliding club, resumed in 1947 and continued until 1954 when, for economic reasons flying was suspended. The Aerodrome became active again in 1959 with the arrival of the Tiger Club followed by Bristow Helicopters Limited in 1960.

The Tiger Club operated a variety of sporting and recreational aircraft including Tiger Moths, Stampes and Turbulants. The club operating mainly in the evenings and at weekends remained at Redhill until moving to Headcorn in 1990. Bristow Helicopters operated their pilot and engineering training schools at Redhill and also built their company headquarters here. In 1998 Bristow Helicopters decided, for commercial reasons, to cease pilot training at Redhill.