Hope it is alright to make people aware of these two new books
Southend Airport Through Time
by Peter C. Brown
Publisher: Amberley Publishing
ISBN: 9781445610122
Southend Airport, one of the six main airports serving London, began life as a landing strip for pleasure flying. The largest flying ground in Essex, it was established by the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War as part of London’s air defence network. During the Second World War, the RAF requisitioned the airfield and it served as a Spitfire base during the Battle of Britain and was an important fighter station for the rest of the war. Southend’s potential as a gateway to Europe was finally realised with the construction of two runways during the 1950s. During the 1960s, it was one of the busiest airports in the country and home to some of the most innovative aircraft designs of the time. An increase in the length of the runways and in the number of services operated mean that Southend will continue as a gateway to Europe into the twenty-first century.
Also by the same author:
RAF Southend: 1940-1944
Pub by: The History press
ISBN: 9780752470030
RAF Southend focuses in diary-type format on the airport between October 1940 and August 1944, from when it became a fighter station in its own right, to it becoming an armament practice camp later in the war. It describes the manning and maintenance of the forward fighter station, often under attack, and follows the varying fortunes of the staff and personnel who were posted there, and the highs and lows and often tragic events that occurred on and around the aerodrome. It also gives in-depth details of the numerous defensive and offensive operations carried out by the various RAF fighter squadrons while based there. Through interviews with ex-staff and eyewitnesses ‘who were there’ and the meticulous cross-referencing of original material, it makes for a very accurate and interesting read for people with an interest in local history and/or aviation/military history
Both make facinating reading, of a much over look piece of Britians aviation heritage.
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