Dreaming of the Skies

An airfield built on legends

Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that. That's nonsense. Make up your mind....have a go at everything....never let them persuade you that things are too difficult.

Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader

Fighter ace, who flew his last sortie from Goodwood Aerodrome, formerly RAF Westhampnett

Battle of Britain Station

The airfield was created on Goodwood Estate land which was donated by Freddie March, the 9th Duke of Richmond, the renowned amateur racer and aircraft engineer to assist the war effort.

Known as RAF Westhampnett, it was active from July 1940 to May 1946 as a Battle of Britain station, and home to 43, 129, 145, 602 and 616 Squadrons, operating Hawker Hurricanes, P-51 Mustangs, and Supermarine Spitfires.

First Flights for Young Pilots

Flying training began at Goodwood early in 1940 when young pilots were taught operational flying techniques in Hurricanes and Spitfires.

It was also from RAF Westhampnett that the first operational sorties by the Fighter Groups of the US 8th Air Force flew in combat with the allies, one of the first sorties being the infamous Dieppe raid.

Douglas Bader's Last Flight

The charismatic Douglas Bader flew his last wartime flight from Westhampnett during which he had to abandon his stricken Spitfire over Northern France. Today a full-size bronze statue stands as a tribute to Bader at Goodwood.

Sir Douglas Bader Statue at Goodwood Aerodrome.

9th Duke winning Double Twelve at Brookland.jpg

Next Generation

After the war, the airfield’s perimeter road was converted into a racing circuit. It was opened in September 1948 by Freddie March to host Britain's very first post-War motor race at a permanent venue - the spiritual successor to Brooklands.