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

Henry G Hyde

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 390th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-816107
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Hilding Roy Johnson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 391st Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-1996000
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

William Ramon Johnson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 48th Fighter Group 391st Fighter Squadron 494th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Laurence Ronald MacDonnell

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 390th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Homer Howard Schaeffer

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 390th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-767396
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

Lieutenant HW Collins of the 366th Fighter Group signals to a P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-76347) nicknamed "Jenny Rebel" before take off. Image stamped on reverse: 'Sport and General.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Apr 1944.' [stamp] and '317381.' [Censor no.]. Printed caption on reverse: 'PRE INVASION VISIT TO A FIGHTER STATION OF THE 9TH AIR FORCE SUPPORT [changed by censor to say: 'FIGHTER'] COMMAND. SOMEWHERE IN ENGLAND. Thunderbolts Fighter Bombers queue up on the runway for take off by

42-76430

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: King Bee
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 391st Fighter Squadron

42-8674

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Squirt
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 366th Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron 390th Fighter Squadron

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)