RAF Westhampnett

England

50.8613, -0.7599 — view on OpenStreetMap ↗

About

RAF Westhampnett was laid out on the Goodwood estate in West Sussex and opened in 1940 as a fighter satellite of nearby Tangmere. Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires flew from it in the Battle of Britain and the offensive years that followed — Douglas Bader led No. 242 Squadron from the field — and the USAAF’s 31st Fighter Group was also based there. After the war it became Goodwood Aerodrome and the famous Goodwood motor-racing circuit.

Photographs

Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. Armourers fitting 500-lb MC bombs to [Hawker Typhoon](/aircraft/22/) Mark IB, JP802 'MR-M', of [No. 245 Squadron](/squadrons/169/) RAF at [Westhampnett](/airfields/6391/), Sussex, for an attack on a flying-bomb launching site in northern France ('Noball').
ⓘ licence & creditMiller (F/O), Royal Air Force official photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Air_Force-_2nd_Tactical_Air_Force,_1943-1945._CH12252.jpgView source & full licence →
Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Fighter Command Armourers clean out the cannon of a [No 245 Squadron](/squadrons/169/) [Typhoon](/aircraft/22/) (JR311/MR-G) at [Westhampnett](/airfields/6391/), 18 January 1944. Like most Typhoon squadrons, No 245 had converted to the fighter-bomber role and was now taking part in an intensive period of dive-bombing attacks against 'Noball' targets (V-1 flying-bomb storage and launch sites) in northern France. Rangers and medium-bomber escorts were also regular activities.
ⓘ licence & creditMiller (F/O), Royal Air Force official photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Air_Force_1939-1945-_Fighter_Command_CH12253.jpgView source & full licence →
Aerial photograph of RAF Westhampnet, the technical site is to the right, 19 April 1946. Photograph taken by [No. 138 Squadron](/squadrons/15/), sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/156. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
ⓘ licence & creditRoyal Air Force / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RAF_Westhampnett_-_19_Apr_1946_Airphoto.jpgView source & full licence →
Ground staff work on a [No. 610 Squadron](/squadrons/112/) [Spitfire](/aircraft/18/) Mk V at [Westhampnett](/airfields/6391/), 11 April 1943. Ground staff work on a No 610 'County of Chester' Squadron Spitfire V at Westhampnett, 11 April 1943. Corporal Houseman (top), Corporal Phenna (with oil can) and Sergeant Moore (below) had all been with the Squadron since its formation in February 1936.
ⓘ licence & creditMiller (F/O), Royal Air Force official photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ground_staff_work_on_a_No._610_Squadron_Spitfire_Mk_V_at_Westhampnett,_11_April_1943._CH9248.jpgView source & full licence →
Flight Lieutenant J Pattison of [No. 485 Squadron](/squadrons/126/) RNZAF graphically recounts a combat to Squadron Leader 'Reg' Grant (left), and Flight Lieutenant R Baker (right), in front of a [Spitfire](/aircraft/18/) at [Westhampnett](/airfields/6391/), 21 January 1943. Flight Lieutenant J Pattison of No 485 Squadron, RNZAF, graphically recounts a combat to Squadron Leader 'Reg' Grant (left), and Flight Lieutenant R Baker (right), in front of a Spitfire at Westhampnett, 21 January 1943.
ⓘ licence & creditRoyal Air Force official photographer, Watkins (F/O) / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flight_Lieutenant_J_Pattison_of_No._485_Squadron_RNZAF_graphically_recounts_a_combat_to_Squadron_Leader_%27Reg%27_Grant_(left),_and_Flight_Lieutenant_R_Baker_(right),View source & full licence →

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People connected to this base

19 persons cross-referenced to this airfield — through a posting here, a squadron based here, or aircrew who flew from it.

NameRankConnectionDates
Bailey, Brian Peter Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Barton, Harold Ernest Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Booty, Cyril Anderson Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Brayley, Edward Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Brown, Ivor Morrison Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Brown, Walter Louis Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Elcome, Douglas William Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Green, Paul Frederick Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Hedger, Andre Robert Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Holme, George Selwyn Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Major, Peter Anthony Flight Lieutenant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Morrell, Francis William Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Nicholson, John Archibald Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Osborne, Derek Vincent Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Ptacek, Rudolf Warrant Officer Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Ritchie, Thomas Glyn Finlayson Flight Lieutenant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Smith, Samuel Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Squibb, Charles James Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —
Whall, Basil Ewart Patrick Sergeant Aircrew (squadron based here) —