Throwley Aerodrome

Throwley Aerodrome was a Royal Flying Corps First World War airfield at Throwley near Faversham, Kent, England.

History

The land was acquired by the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 for use as a landing ground for home defence squadrons defending London and the Thames Estuary and Kent. From October 1916 50 Squadron RFC detached aircraft to Throwley. In July 1917 newly formed 112 Squadron was based with a variety of biplane fighters including the Sopwith Pup, Sopwith Camel and Sopwith Snipe. In February 1918 142 Squadron was formed at Throwley flying the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 but it moved soon after to nearby RAF Detling.

188 Squadron was formed at Throwley on 20 December 1917 as a training unit with the Avro 504K, in June 1918 the squadron provided training for the units flying the Sopwith Camel. In March 1919 188 Squadron was disbanded and in June 1919 112 Squadron was disbanded and the land was returned to agricultural use.

Units and aircraft

* No. 50 Squadron RFC (1916-1918) detachments from Detling Aerodrome
* No. 112 Squadron RFC/RAF (1918-1919) Sopwith Pup, Sopwith Camel and Sopwith Snipe
* No. 142 Squadron RFC (1918) Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8

References

* G G Jefford, "RAF Squadrons", second edition 2001, Airlife Publishing, UK, ISBN 1-84037-141-2.

External links

* [http://www.pigstrough.co.uk/ww1/Zom.htm Reminisces of operations involving Throwley]
* [http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/h112.html 112 Squadron History]
* [http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/h188.html 188 Squadron History]