Welcome to Friends of the New Forest Airfields The Charity preserving our Aviation Heritage
the tWElve airfields
The twelve airfields in the New Forest can be seen on this map. A brief introduction to each of the airfields is below. Much more detailed information and archive material can be found in the FONFA Museum, on the website of individual airfield groups and by using the links below.
The Airfields
RAF Stoney Cross
RAF Holmsley South
RAF Stoney Cross
RAF Stoney Cross was one of the main concrete runway airfields which had many heavy aircraft and gliders operating from it during WW II. Little remains of this once busy airfield today but for a few areas of concrete that were former taxiways and the perimeter track..
RAF Beaulieu
RAF Holmsley South
RAF Stoney Cross
RAF Beaulieu was one of the main airfields initially used by Coastal Command Liberators in anti-submarine roles before it became a fighter base for RAF Typhoons and USAAF P47 Thunderbolts which provided escort and ground attack capabilities.
RAF Holmsley South
RAF Holmsley South
RAF Holmsley South
After a period of use by Coastal Command Liberators, RAF Holmsley South became part of 10 Group hosting many different squadrons. RAF Spitfires, Typhoons, Mustang and Mosquito as well as USAAF B26 Marauders operated here.
RAF Ibsley
RAF Needs Ore Point
RAF Holmsley South
RAF Ibsley was one of the main airfields that was used as a fighter base with Hurricanes, Spitfires and then Typhoons of the RAF, mainly providing escort duties. The USAAF operated Lightnings predominantly in a close support role.
RAF Needs Ore Point
RAF Needs Ore Point
RAF Needs Ore Point
RAF Needs Ore Point was an Advanced Landing Ground that was operational for a year between mid 1943 and 1944. Being home to 4 RAF Typhoon squadrons, with up to 150 aircraft, made it one of the busiest airfields in the New Forest.
RAF Lymington
RAF Needs Ore Point
RAF Needs Ore Point
RAF Lymington, also known as Pylewell, was operational between March and June 1944 as the base for the 50th Fighter Group, operating P 47 Thunderbolts primarily in a ground attach role.
The Airfields
RAF Christchurch
RAF Christchurch
RAF Christchurch
RAF Christchurch played a vital role in the development of electronics and radar. It was the centre for Churchill's Wizard War and the home of Airspeed. During 1944 the 405th Fighter Group operated P47 Thunderbolts in the run up to D-Day.
RAF Hurn
RAF Christchurch
RAF Christchurch
RAF Hurn was used by both British and American squadrons during WW II and was the last departure point for aircraft flying to North Africa without crossing France and Spain. The only war time airfield that still operates today as Bournemouth International Airport.
RAF Winkton
RAF Christchurch
RAF Winkton
RAF Winkton was an Advanced Landing Ground that was only operational for three months in 1944. It was used by the American 404th Fighter Group operating P47 Thunderbolts.
RAF Calshot
RAF Calshot
RAF Winkton
RAF Calshot, located at the entrance to Southampton Water, was a specialist seaplane facility used for the operation and maintenance of Short Sunderland flying boats and other RAF seaplanes.
RAF Bistern
RAF Calshot
RAF Bistern
RAF Bistern was only operational from April to July 1944 when it provided a base for the 371st Fighter Group and their P 47 Thunderbolts. Little remains today.
RAF Sopley
RAF Calshot
RAF Bistern
Whilst not an airfield, RAF Sopley was the home of Southern Radar and the Joint Services Radar Training School.
After its time as an RAF Station Sopley was used to house some of the Vietnamese Boat People who came to England..
RFC/RAF East Boldre
RFC/RAF East Boldre
RFC/RAF East Boldre
East Boldre became home to the New Forest School of Aviation in 1910, the second in the UK and only the fifth in the World. In 1915 the site was taken over by the Royal Flying Corps as a training school for pilots. By 1918 it was an extensive airfield but by 1920 everything had been removed, except for the building that is now East Boldre Village Hall.
RAF Sway
RFC/RAF East Boldre
RFC/RAF East Boldre
RAF Sway was established as an Emergency Landing Ground for aircraft based at RAF Christchurch. The idea was to park aircraft there overnight, safe from German attack, however, this failed as the Luftwaffe bombed RAF Sway on several occasions. In November 1941, after a little over a year in operation, the station closed.