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RAF Biggin Hill
The RAF base at Biggin Hill, south-east of London, played a central part in the Battle of Britain. Part of 11 Group, it was responsible for protecting the south-east of England and guarding the approaches to the capital.
An exterior view of St George's, the chapel at RAF Biggin Hill. A Supermarine Spitfire and a Hawker Hurricane stand guard outside. (IWM RAF-T 6209)
Features in:
The Battle of Britain
Introduction
RAF Biggin Hill
Highlights from BBC programmes Video (6)
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The origins of the Spitfire
The origins of the iconic fighter plane.
Raymond Baxter, BBC presenter and former Spitfire pilot, recounts the revolutionary origins of the Supermarine Spitfire and its Rolls-Royce Merlin engine.
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In the cockpit of a Spitfire
Raymond Baxter guides viewers through the cockpit of a Spitfire.
Raymond Baxter, BBC presenter and former Spitfire pilot, affectionately talks the viewer through the Spitfire’s cockpit and operation.
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Mark 1 Spitfire in Flight
The production of Spitfires during World War Two.
Raymond Baxter, BBC presenter and former Spitfire pilot, describes the production of Spitfires during the war.
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Development of the Spitfire during World War Two
The development of the Spitfire aeroplane during World War Two.
As a Spitfire sweeps through the sky in the background, Raymond Baxter, BBC presenter and former Spitfire pilot, describes its evolution from seaplane to world-famous fighter.
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Fierce fighting over London
The events of the 15th September.
From the Fighter Command control room in Uxbridge, Richard Holmes describes the RAF attacks on incoming German bombers.
More information about: RAF Biggin Hill
London Biggin Hill Airport (IATA: BQH, ICAO: EGKB) is an airport at Biggin Hill in the London Borough of Bromley, located 12 NM (22 km; 14 mi) south-southeast of Central London. The airport was formerly the Royal Air Force station RAF Biggin Hill, and a small enclave on the airport still retains that designation.
Biggin Hill is best known for its role during the Battle of Britain in the Second World War, when it served as one of the principal fighter bases protecting London and South East England from attack by enemy bombers. Over the course of the war, fighters based at Biggin Hill claimed 1,400 enemy aircraft, at the cost of the lives of 453 Biggin Hill based aircrew.
Today the airport has a CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P804) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (Regional Airports Limited). It specialises in general aviation, handling a spectrum of traffic from private aviation to large business jets. It currently has no scheduled airline service.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the user-contributed encyclopedia. If you find the content in the 'About' section factually incorrect, defamatory or highly offensive you can edit this article at Wikipedia.
Events
Germany bombs British coastal airfields
Germany attacks RAF Fighter Command
Who
People
Hugh Dowding What
Speeches
The Few Military Tactics
Dogfight Military Technology
Supermarine Spitfire 
Radar Military Organisations
RAF Fighter Command Listen to past programmes
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BROADCAST 2009
Radio 4: Keith Park
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BROADCAST 2009
Radio 4: Women in the RAF
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BROADCAST 2008
Radio 4: WW2 Defences
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Cobra Ferrari Wars
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Episode 1
Episode 1: Singapore 1942: End of Empire
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3. Palace of Holyroodhouse
Episode 3: The Queen's Palaces
No radio programmes available
BBC links
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