History

Where We Have Been To Get To Where We Are Today

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.

The 1950's to 1990's

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.

1999 to 2006

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 Cllr Peter Bloomfield, who is the Ward member for Darwin. A Legal Trust was formed which will, in the fullness of time, take over the running of the Heritage Centre. This was and still is chaired by Dennis Barkway and will, eventually take over the day-to-day running of the centre when it is established. Clearly we cannot remain on an endless circuit of plans and negotiations and so it is generally agreed within both the Working party and The Trust that some conclusion must be reached soon.