BBMF over Kenley

[Batchy]

At 16.30pm today the BBMF flew over the Kenley Tribute that stands as a memorial to all of the personnel who died at this most famous of Battle of Britain airfields.

Last years appalling weather at the Kenley Air Day kept the BBMF away, thankfully the flight was blessed with superb conditions for a spirited series of flypasts that was greatly appreciated by the large crowd.

There appears to be a large local interest in Kenley aerodrome, surely its about time that a Heritage centre/museum is established at this remarkably well preserved aerodrome.

More to follow.

Batchy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/woodlands/webKenleyJuneFlypastGaryBrownphoto.jpg

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Great pic and I agree 100% with your comments about Kenley.

[PPRuNe Pop]

Batchy, a great pic - really good.

Have to say, that Kenley wasn't the most famous of the BoB aitfields - but I would say that it shares being one of the most famous, along with Biggin, North Weald, Hornchurch, Croydon etc., Each was vitally important to 11 Group and each had its triumphs.

[treadigraph]

Blast!

I walked over Kenley just an hour or so later... if only I'd known. Must have been on the bus to Coulsdon at the time.

Saw the Hurricane and Spitfire do some low passes there a couple of years ago... delightful!

Cheers

Treadders

[Chris Scott]

Ahh... Wondered what they were doing, stooging along the Downs.

[POBJOY]

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 !!!