My guess is that it started with non-flying RAF Stations, to adverttise the RAF's presence to passing traffic.
RAF Uxbridge has a replica Spitfire at the gate, though no Spitfire ever managed to take off from its generously sized parade ground. I suppose it marks the fact that Uxbridge was Fighter Command's 11 Group HQ and Operations Room were there; there certainly never was a runway at Uxbridge.
When I was lodging at RAF Stanmore Park, they had a Gloster Javelin at the gate. As the station had no runway, it definitely didn't fly in.
Then there are the former flying stations that fly no more...
RAF Thornaby is long gone, but a "Gate Guardian" replica Spitfire adorns the middle of a roundabout in a shopping area that was once part of the site. As far as I am aware, although Spitfires did occasionall operate from Thornaby, it was not one of the types commonly flown from there - it was mostly a RAuxAF station engaged in Coastal Command work. (The last "RAF" unit there was 1261 Sqn ATC, of which I was once a member.)
Last edited by Blacksheep; 1st Mar 2009 at 21:11.