Biggin Hill Airfield: Beyond the Bump 1

Part one of the story of what happened at Royal Air Force Station Biggin Hill during its final days as an operational fighter station, the proceeding years back to the early 50's and the post military era.This historical Battle of Britain fighter station survived where many other were decommissioned to make room for redevelopment. The closure of London's Croydon Airport gave birth to a new generation of both private and commercial pilots on this hallowed ground and created a unique training and social environment that flourished for many years. This publication seeks to record some of the people and their aircraft that facilitated this transition together with a celebration of the success of one individual who turned his dreams into reality. Part two, to be published 2015, completes the story of one aviation enthusiast and private pilot. Joseph J. merchant

Author: Joseph Merchant
Publisher: Pilots Pals
Published: 09/09/2014
Pages: 248
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.74lbs
Size: 9.02h x 5.98w x 0.52d
ISBN: 9780992962609

About the Author
Born 1940 in London one of the thousands of children evacuated, first to Somerset and then Wales, where the passion for aviation became addictive. Returning to London in 1945 was a lonely life until finding the 56 Squadron Air Training Corps in 1954 at Woolwich, South London. From this unit being attached to 615 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air force at R.A.F. Biggin Hill gave the opportunity to live and learn in this man's world. National service had come to its end and application for aircrew in the R.A.F. was futile not having the necessary education. Returning to the now civil Biggin Hill Airfield and encouragement from close friends the private pilots license was obtained in 1963. A successful career in purchasing was not the answer with the continuous urge to be self employed. Living and working on Biggin Hill Airfield was a dream come true, the environment so loved . Not being a writer and never will be was not a hurdle when recording the life of a aviation dreamer.

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