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The Aircraft
Many different aircraft of both British and American origin operated from the New Forest Airfields in a range of different roles including fighters, bombers, Glider Tugs and Paratrooper carriers.
Brief details of some of the aircraft can be found below.
The British Aircraft
Hawker Hurricane
Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
Whilst over 15,000 Hurricanes were produced, only a few briefly saw service in the New Forest.
Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
Probably the best known WWII fighter, Spitfires operated from a number of New Forest airfields until they moved to FLGs in Normandy.
Hawker Typhoon
Supermarine Spitfire
North American P-51 Mustang
Typhoons were based at a number of New Forest airfields and played a key role during D Day and the battle for Normandy.
North American P-51 Mustang
North American P-51 Mustang
North American P-51 Mustang
The Mustang's superior speed and range made it an ideal long range fighter to operate from the New Forest in support of D-Day and the Normandy landings.
Vickers Wellington
North American P-51 Mustang
Douglas C-47 Dakota
The Wellington was the only bomber produced right through WII and it saw service in the New Forest as a medium bomber
Douglas C-47 Dakota
North American P-51 Mustang
Douglas C-47 Dakota
More than 16,000 of the iconic DC-3 derived transport planes were built. Over 300 were still flying in 2021, long after planes like the HS 748 that were designed to replace them have gone out of production.
The american Aircraft
Lockheed P-38J Lightning
Lockheed P-38J Lightning
Lockheed P-38J Lightning
The versatile Lightning fulfilled a number of roles operating from the New Forest airfields including long range fighter, fighter-bomber and night fighter.
Martin B-26B Marauder
Lockheed P-38J Lightning
Lockheed P-38J Lightning
The Marauders operating from the New Forest played a vital role in support of the ground troops during D-Day and the battle for Normandy. They were at their best operating as medium level bombers.
North American B-25 Mitchell
North American B-25 Mitchell
North American B-25 Mitchell
The Mitchell was a medium bomber that was very rugged with great survivability so it was popular with its crew. A number of Squadrons operated the Mitchel from Holmsley South airfield.
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
North American B-25 Mitchell
North American B-25 Mitchell
The Thunderbolt was one of the most successful aircraft of WW II. It operated from New Forest airfields in the ground attach role in support of D-Day and the battle for Normandy.
The gliders
Airspeed AS51 Horsa
General Aircraft Hamilcar
General Aircraft Hamilcar
The Horsa ia a British glider that played a major role in the D-Day landings. Not only did many gliders depart from New Forest airfields and many examples of the Horsa were built at Christchurch airfield.
General Aircraft Hamilcar
General Aircraft Hamilcar
General Aircraft Hamilcar
Around 30 of the Hamilcar gliders saw service in the New Forest in support of D-Day. They were capable of carrying light tanks and other heavy anti tank guns in support of airborne forces.
Waco Hadrian
Waco Hadrian
Waco Hadrian
The Waco Hadrian was an American troop and cargo carrying glider and a number of these operated from New Forest airfields in the battle for Normandy in support of American airborne troops.
Glider Tow
Waco Hadrian
Waco Hadrian
A number of different aircraft were used as tow planes for the gliders including the Dakota, Sterling and Wellington.
A small group of these gliders undertook an incredible 17 hour tow from Britain to North Africa.