Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Raf Westhampnett
Hob Uid: 1431592
Location : West Sussex Chichester Lavant, Westhampnett
Grid Ref : SU8730007300
Summary : A former World War Two military airfield, later a civil airport. The airfield opened in 1940. The wartime airfield consisted of grass landing areas with Blister and Type T1 design aircraft hangars. There was temporary accomodation for 1362 male and 51 female personnel. During the Battle of Britain It was in the important 11 Group area of Royal Air Force Fighter Command and was an operational satellite of Tangmere. By 1985 the airfield was a civil airport (Chichester Goodwood Airport). Postwar the perimeter of the airfield has also been utilised as Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit.
More information : Westhampnett Airfield, Sussex, SU 875 075. A former World War Two military airfield, The airfield opened in 1940. The wartime airfield consisted of grass landing areas with Blister and Type T1 design aircraft hangars. There was temprary accomodation for 1362 male and 51 female personnel. It was in the important 11 Group Fighter Command and was an operational satellite of Tangmere. By 1985 the airfield was a civil airport (Chichester Goodwood Airport). (1) The airport appears on the OS Landranger map number 197 as Chichester Goodwod Airfield SU 875 075. (2) RAF Westhampnett was part of 11 Group during the Battle of Britain. The following units were based here during the battle: No 145 Squadron from 31st July 1940 and No 602 Squadron from 13th August 1940. (3) The structural remains of Westhampnet Second World War Emergency Landing Ground are visible on historic and recent aerial photographs. The airfield was mapped during the High Woods from Above NMP project. Part of Goodwood Estate requisitioned pre WW2 for an emergency landing ground. Historic aerial photographs show the grass landing ground with a perimeter road with numeous frying pan dispersals. (4-5)

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Source details : 1: 50000, 1994.
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Royal Air Force, Crown Copyright, 2005. 'Battle of Britain: 11 Group'. <> [Accessed 09-JUL-2010]
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : RAF 3G/TUD/UK/156 5294 19-APR-1946
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : RAF 3G/TUD/UK/156 5296 19-APR-1946
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Post-War
Monument End Date : 1946
Monument Start Date : 1946
Monument Type : Racing Circuit
Evidence : Structure

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Use by 1985
Monument End Date : 1985
Monument Start Date : 1985
Monument Type : Civil Airport
Evidence : Structure

Monument Period Name : Mid 20th Century
Display Date : WWII
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1940
Monument Type : Military Airfield
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Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : World War II from 1940
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1940
Monument Type : Military Airfield, Blister Aircraft Hangar, Aircraft Hangar (Type T1)
Evidence : Structure, Documentary Evidence

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External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SU 80 NE 123
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Associated Activities :
Activity type : THEMATIC SURVEY
Start Date : 2012-01-01
End Date : 2012-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Start Date : 2014-01-01
End Date : 2015-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Raf Westhampnett