From Moths to Merlins: RAF West Malling Airfield: Premier Night Fighter Station - Softcover

Brooks, Robin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1781553351 ISBN 13: 9781781553350

Publisher: Fonthill Media, 2013

Synopsis

As a flying club airfield during the 1930s, West Malling was well known and very popular. 1939 saw it requisitioned by the military and it became a forward landing ground to Biggin Hill and Kenley. Though out of use during the Battle of Britain due to non-completion of the building work, and heavy bombing by the Luftwaffe, from 1941 onwards it became the premier night-fighter station in No. 11 Group, Fighter Command. During the Dieppe operation the airfield was used by day fighter squadrons and in 1944 became the main anti-diver airfield for the aerial destruction of the V1 Flying Bomb. In peace it continued the night defense of our country until the RAF left in 1960.

About this title

About the Author

Robin J Brooks is an aviation historian and writer. His interest in aviation began as an Air Cadet with No. 2158 (Sevenoaks) Squadron. Following two years National Service in the RAF writing aircraft servicing schedules with CSDE, he continued writing as a hobby and is now the author of ten books on airfield histories and a regular contributor to the aviation journals. He is the publicity director for Medway Aircraft Preservation Society and is chairman and treasurer of the Kent Aviation Historical Society. He is married with a son and lives in Maidstone.

Edition details

• Publisher: Fonthill Media
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1781553351
• ISBN 13: 9781781553350
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128