RAF Biggin Hill

[Fred901]

Hi ,

 

 

here is a Biggin Hill map:

 

[DD_Fenrir]

An image reportedly from 1941, that shows the two asphalt runways to the WNW-ESE (288-108°T) and SW-NE (225-45°T) and the grass strip running SSW-NNE (206-26°T):

 

http://www.sbap.be/events/2017/006biggin2017/002.jpg

 

 

Now, the After the Battle "The Battle of Britain: Then & Now" book (ISBN: 0 900913 46 0; https://www.afterthebattle.com/store/atb-books/the-battle-of-britain-then-and-now_ID206) reports that the 206-26°T runway was asphalted in 1939, however this photo, if dated correctly, shows that data is erroneous

 

However, it was made hard sometime before 1961 as an Ordnance Survey map shows (https://maps.nls.uk/view/189260009), probably at latest the introduction of jets, Gloster Meteor squadrons being based here from 1950.

[Fred901]

[Pikey]

Hello Biggin Hill thread, I came here to post up my request for it's inclusion also.

 

It's not so much from a practical sense, but It's one of the airfields that most English folks identify with the Battle of Britain and Spitfires and all that nostalgic WW2 SE England stuff you remember poorly. To me, a map without it, of this area, seems missing a focal point.

 

 

 

Yes it is close to the corner of the map, and would require a little bit of filling of detail around it before it could be implemented, which is a big cost I expect, but I can do no more than say I think the map feels wrong without it.

[Enduro14]

 

Nick just commented that Biggin Hill and others will come

[BIGNEWY]

Hi all

 

If you have more reference data for Biggin Hill please add it here.

 

thank you

[DD_Fenrir]

Good look at the blister hangar types that predominated at the airfield after the summer of 1940 when the Luftwaffe blew up the Belfast-truss types that it was built with originally:

 

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205212731

 

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205210839

[DD_Fenrir]

I've been cross referencing as many photos and sources as I can and I believe that Fred901s post here: https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=4368766&postcount=3

 

Contains the most accurate late war layout that we have seen thus far; any later imagery appears to be from the '50s and '60s, with T2 hangars having been erected in multiple locations and a variety of civil & GA aircraft (including a Lockheed Constellation) appearing on the images.

 

I attach an annotated version describing some of what can be seen:

Edited September 23, 2020 by DD_Fenrir
Annotated photograph now updated.

[DD_Fenrir]

The station HQ and a grainy shot of the Gable ended hangar just prior to Group Captain Grice's decision to demolish it:

 

http://www.bigginhill-history.co.uk/rafhq.htm

 

A good modern shot of the HQ building:

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4156308

[DD_Fenrir]

I have been attempting to marry some photos showing buildings with their position on the field.

 

I believe this image:

 

 

is located here:

[DD_Fenrir]

The second extension to the SSW-NNE (206-26°T) seen on some maps/plans was created in 1957 according to this source:

 

https://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1385321

[DD_Fenrir]

Detail of a dispersal hut at Biggin Hill:

 

http://www.mfryer-architects.com/biggin

[DD_Fenrir]

Officers Mess (Western side of A233 opposite the site of the 3 bay Belfast hangar destroyed in 1940):

 

https://www.facebook.com/KentsHistoricalSites/photos/officers-mess-at-the-former-raf-biggin-hill/1561098867249517

[DD_Fenrir]

 

 

Looks like the large building to the left of the picture is a Side-opening Aeroplane Shed:

 

https://www.abct.org.uk/airfield-buildings/hangar-types/

[DD_Fenrir]

Video taken at Biggin in 1943:

 

 

I believe this is taken at the E Pen adjacent Old House Farm, as notice the hay shed in the background - also bear in mind the cameraman would have wanted good light from the south, and as this pen is southerly facing that would assist in getting good light on his subjects.

Edited September 23, 2020 by DD_Fenrir

[DD_Fenrir]

This site is for Duxford but many RAF buildings were built to common designs and given that they share a very similar chronological history, it is likely that nearly identical buildings appeared at Biggin Hill.

 

http://www.ukairfields.org.uk/duxford.html

 

Furthermore, I believe I have been able to identify many buildings on the Google earth "1940" period image that closely correspond to the layouts and formats of some of those identified in the Duxford sites. I will provide a clearer annotated map of the airfield shortly with a zoomed in view of North Camp area detailing some of those similar buildings.

[DD_Fenrir]

The newer annotated version of the site map plus has been uploaded to the edited post here: https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=4491668&postcount=8

 

 

with the zoomed in view of North Camp Area attached to this post, with other buildings positively identified and some tentatively suggested.

Edited September 23, 2020 by DD_Fenrir

[DD_Fenrir]

It should be noted that the Barrack Block Type B, long can be found here on google street view:

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3296032,0.0263579,3a,75y,181.38h,91.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2KCm_cbs76K_B8NfjuPLDQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en-GB

 

And that the one noted as having a single wing similarly:

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3297528,0.0265215,3a,90y,103.81h,91.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5nZnt0nwIWTxQhXT-thbeA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en-GB

 

 

Here the north blast entrance to what I have tentatively ID'd as the Decontamination Block (or Ops Room?) and the North side of what I have suggested could be the airmans dining hall.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3292795,0.0255412,3a,75y,172.39h,90.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sT1dWpzUgnCEIinCdOJm3mQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en-GB

[DD_Fenrir]

The guardroom:

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3291469,0.0246325,3a,24.9y,207.68h,88.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sia3Abh4-fgfjj3397kEUkw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en-GB

[DD_Fenrir]

And a view of some of the buildings immediately south of it:

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3291653,0.0247734,3a,22.1y,191.01h,91.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1surYZBabHyKXW2vcXdt7rxA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en-GB

[DD_Fenrir]

In reference to my speculation of the location of the Sergeant's Mess at Biggin Hill (North side of A233 opposite the collection of Barack Block Type 'B') it's layout closely resembles that at Duxford, specifically the one identified as Building 106:

 

http://www.ukairfields.org.uk/duxford.html

[DD_Fenrir]

Good shots of the old Flying Control Building (and a nod as to when the later example appeared):

 

[Fred901]

Hi,

 

Blister hanger , blast pens type E and AE at RAF Biggin Hill circa 1944 (Google Earth sources):