Thruxton

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Thruxton airfield looking south, a T2 hangar is at the top of the airfield, 25 September 1945. Photograph taken by No. 544 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/839. English Heritage (RAF Photography). eh-482.jpg RAF_106G_UK_839_RP_3088 Aerial photograph of Thruxton airfield looking south, a T2 hangar is at the top of the airfield, 25 September 1945. Photograph taken by No. 544 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/839. English Heritage (RAF Photography). Historic England

IWM, English Heritage Collection

Object Number - RAF_106G_UK_839_RP_3088 - Aerial photograph of Thruxton airfield looking south, a T2 hangar is at the top of the airfield, 25 September 1945. Photograph taken by No. 544...

Thruxton was developed for use by Army Co-Operation aircraft, before being upgraded to a bomber airfield. The 366th Fighter Group moved in in early 1944, flying missions in support of the build up to D-Day, before moving to the continent with other elements of the Ninth Air Force in June.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

English Heritage's Record Description

A former World War Two military airfield. The wartime airfield was opened in 1941 and consisted of three concrete runways with Type T2 , Blister and Bessoneau aircraft hangars. It was originally intended to be a satellite airfield for Andover. It became a base for the Royal Air Force's Army Cooperation Command and in particular paratroop training: in 1942 Thruxton participated in the first operational paratroop drop in the UK . From March to June 1944 the USAAF 9th Air Force IX Fighter Command 366th Fighter Group used Thruxton for raids leading up to D-Day. After the war military use ceased and the military airfield closed in 1946. At the beginning of the 21st century, the airfield is used for private civilian flying and as a motor racing circuit.

People

Man wearing uniform, a leather helmet, headphones and googles on the top of his head, looks of to the right. An oxygen mask hangs loose by the right shoulder

Quentin Carlyle Aanenson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 391st Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Charles John Carter

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 390th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-807394
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Thomas Butler Forbes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 389th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20427888 at enlistment, then O-807280
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

William James Gray

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 391st Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19147221 / O-715524
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Vern Wilson Grover

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 19160576
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer Top Turret Gunner

Aircraft

42-75684

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Mickey II
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 78th Fighter Group 391st Fighter Squadron 84th Fighter Squadron

42-76215

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 389th Fighter Squadron

42-76337

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 390th Fighter Squadron

42-76378

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 389th Fighter Squadron
Pilots of the 48th Fighter Group walk past a P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "The Chief" before a mission. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 15 Aug 1944.' [stamp] and '350067.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '9th AAF IN FRANCE: pilots on their way to the planes to start off on a mission. Most pilots keep their chutes and Mae Wests in planes. Scherschel LIFE.'

42-76381

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: The Chief
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group Headquarters (366th Fighter Group)

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Historic England National Monument Record SU 24 NE 87

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Ninth Then and Now (London)

Thruxton: Gallery (8 items)

Lieutenant HW Collins of the 366th Fighter Group signals to a P-47 Thunderbolt before take off. Image stamped on reverse: 'Sport and General.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Apr 1944.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'PRE INVASION VISIT TO A FIGHTER STATION OF THE 9TH AIR FORCE SUPPORT [obscured by censor] COMMAND. SOMEWHERE IN ENGLAND. Thunderbolts Fighter Bombers queue up on the runway for take off by flag signal on a mission to continental Europe.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Note radio

Object number: FRE 9579 - Lieutenant HW Collins of the 366th Fighter Group...

P-47 Thunderbolts of the 366th Fighter Group lined up along the runway at Thruxton. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 24 April 1944.' [stamp] and '317211.' [Censor no] Printed caption on reverse: 'PRE INVASION. Planes of the [illegible]...will be used in the support of [illegible]... An air unit supporting the ground forces has 3 tasks: to take offensive action, to defend the battle area form air attacks and to provide air reconnaissance. Air superiority is essen

Object number: FRE 9672 - P-47 Thunderbolts of the 366th Fighter Group lined...

Aerial photograph of Thruxton airfield looking north east, Thruxton village is on the right, 8 March 1942. Photograph taken by No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, sortie number RAF/HLA/415. English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Object number: RAF_HLA_415_V2_56 - Aerial photograph of Thruxton airfield looking...

Object number: UPL 7447 - Lt. Bobby Duke, 391st Fighter Squadron, 366th...