History of White Waltham Airfield

By Mark Green

White Waltham Airfield, the home of West London London Aero Club (WLAC), is one of the oldest and best known airfields in the country. Set in 200 acres on the edge of a picturesque estate in the beautiful Berkshire countryside, it is one of the largest grass airfields in Britain.
White Waltham is situated just three miles from the M4 (J8/9) and six miles from the M40 (J4). Central London is only 35 miles away and easily accessible by train or taxi. Windsor, Ascot, Henley, Reading and Maidenhead are all within easy reach.

In 1928, the de Havilland family aquired the land and formed the de Havilland School of Flying which opened in 1935. The MOD requisitioned it for use during World War II and in 1940 it became the HQ for the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) whose members were responsible for the delivery of all aircraft to and from RAF stations. During the war years the ATA achieved a remarkable 309,000 aircraft movements enabling the RAF to concentrate exclusively on operations.

White Waltham has also been home to Fairey Aviation, manufacturers of aircraft such as the Gannet and Rotodyne. It has been a civilian airfield and the home of the West London Aero Club since the early post-war years.