The Hurricane was flown by more than three-fifths of RAF’s Fighter Command squadrons, with over 14,000 manufactured during the Second World War.

32 Squadron were based at RAF Biggin Hill but operated daily from their forward airfield at RAF Hawkinge during the opening weeks of the Battle of Britain.

The Spitfire, known for its speed and agility, became the iconic aircraft of WW2 with over 20,000 produced.

RAF Tangmere is famous for its role in the Battle of Britain. Its airfield had been enlarged in 1939 to defend the south coast against attack by the Luftwaffe, with the RAF commandeering the majority of the houses in the village.
On 16 August 1940 Tangmere saw its first and worst raid when hundreds of Stuka dive-bombers and fighters attacked, causing extensive damage to aircraft and buildings and killing 14 ground staff. Tangmere did not resume its status as a civilian community until 1966.

“Had it not been for the magnificent material contributed by the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry,” wrote Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, Commander-in-Chief of RAF Fighter Command, “I hesitate to say that the outcome of the Battle would have been the same.”

Flying Hawker Hurricanes, 303 Squadron claimed the largest number of aircraft shot down of the 66 Allied fighter squadrons engaged in the Battle of Britain, even though it joined two months after the Battle had begun. At the time it was withdrawn for a rest on 11 October 1940, the squadron had claimed 126 kills in six weeks.

RAF Fowlmere was intended to be a satellite airfield for nearby RAF Duxford and was used by 19 Squadron with Supermarine Spitfires. 19 Squadron formed part of the Duxford Wing, 12 Group’s ‘Big Wing’ formation during the Battle of Britain.