A Brief History

Various schemes over the years have been put forward to establish an appropriate Heritage Centre here at Biggin Hill all of which failed to materialize. However, in recent times much more positive and substantial progress has been made which needs to be set in it's historical context to understand it's significance.

At the end of WW2 and in the years that followed, examples of the famous fighter aircraft that had done so much to bring final victory, were regularly kept at Biggin Hill and took part in the annual Victory day parade. Therefore the first official body to call Biggin Hill it's home was, in 1957, the RAF Historical Aircraft Flight.

In addition, a collection of other unique WW2 aircraft was also assembled, including a Wellington Mk. X, a Heinkel 111H, and a Messerschmitt Bf 110G-2 night fighter; these were eventually moved to Hendon where they now reside. When flying ceased at Biggin Hill in 1958 the Historic Aircraft Flight moved to North Weald and then to Martlesham Heath, to Horsham St Faith and onto Coltishal before transmogrifying into the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and, finally, moving to it's present home at RAF Coningsby in 1978.

From the late fifties to the end of the nineties much changed at Biggin Hill. In 1974 the London Borough of Bromley bought the active side of the airfield from the Ministry of Defence. Their declared purpose was to continue to protect there environment of the area to the greatest practicable extent compatible with the presence of a long-established airfield. Initially it was managed for Bromley Council by Surrey Aviation, and then this role was passed to Airports UK Ltd, a subsidiary of BAA. Then, in 1994, the present lease holders, Biggin Hill Airport Ltd took over and are still managing day to day operations. During this time initiatives for some form of a permanent museum were tabled but without much concrete progress.

In January 2000 BHAL decided to drop out of the scheme. It was then up to Bromley Council to form a new Working Party under the Chairmanship of Peter Bloomfield who was the Darwin Councillor. A Legal Trust was formed which will, in the fullness of time, take over the running of the Heritage Centre.

Several meetings of the Working Party took place and visits made to The Old Sergeants Mess and The Vehicle Hanger. The Vehicle Hanger building leant itself to the flexible use of space and even the facility to house aircraft. This looked as though it would finally be the site of the centre.... until developers came forward with a more ambitious scheme.They decided to submit plans to totally demolish the fifties married quarters, or at least the section they owned, and to build 139 new homes on the site. For this they needed the site of the MT hanger and offered a new site to the south of the development area, close to the entrance to Vincent Square. On offer was a site, a building and a sum of money to help fit it out.

The Biggin Hill Battle of Britain Supporters’ Club was formed in 2006. The declared role of the BHBoBSC is to support The Biggin Hill Battle of Britain Trust and its endeavours by raising funds, spreading awareness of the project and its importance and, finally, to provide a cadre of volunteers to run the centre when it opens.