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Old 5th Jul 2011, 23:13
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POBJOY
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: 11 GROUP
Age: 77
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Kenley

Kenley should be far better recognised than it is, but that does not diminish the important part it played as an 11 Group Sector Station in the front line.
At the time Biggin tended to be in the lime-light and this continued after the war when it held its "At Home" days in September until the RAF flying ceased.
On the other hand Kenley gently reverted to a less public stance and became a home for an ATC Gliding School (615).
In the meantime Duxford (12 Group) rose to prominence with its association with the Imperial War Museum and i suspect the public now associate this airfield as the definitive BOB Station.
However history will show that Kenley together with its other 11 Group fields really did bear the brunt of the crucial 1940 period and then went on to take the battle back to the enemy in offensive fighter operations.
Because Kenley is the most complete 11 Group airfield in a semi preserved state there is no excuse for it not being exposed to current generations to visit a modern battle-ground in rural Surrey and being included as part of school history visits.
The City of London "Commons" dept have made a start by providing a "Kenley Trail" that allows access around the airfield on the original "peri track".
Even after the real stars of Reach for the Sky dispersed, Kenley would still get a regular vist from PZ865 (Dunsfold) and AB910 (Weybridge-Wisley) when they met over the airfield before running in to display at the Biggin at home days.
KENLEY;there when needed and still a survivor (with 615) what a star !!!
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