Flying Sites

Two of our flying sites have the rather unique distinction of once being operational WW2 fighter stations. Classified as Advanced Landing Grounds (ALG) they provided forward airstrips and a home for the ever increasing number of Allied air units in the run-up to the D-Day invasion.

Confusingly what we now call Headcorn was then Lashenden, and what is now Egerton was then Headcorn!

Both airfields were surveyed as early as 1941 as suitable for development but preparations did not begin till the late summer early autumn of 1942, and in both cases much difficulty with the less than perfect drainage, difficult access and indifferent winter weather made progress slow. Metal bar and rod or Somerfeld matting was laid as taxiways, dispersals and runways in order to support the weight of the anticipated aircraft.

However by the late summer of 1943 both airfields were declared operational.

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