RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus)
RNAS Lee-on-Solent ![]() ![]() | |||||||||||
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Summary | |||||||||||
Airport type | General Aviation | ||||||||||
Operator | Royal Navy Royal Air Force | ||||||||||
Location | Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire | ||||||||||
Built | 1917 | ||||||||||
In use | 1917-1996 | ||||||||||
Coordinates | 50°48′54″N 001°12′16″W / 50.81500°N 1.20444°W | ||||||||||
Map | |||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||
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Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) was one of the primary shore airfields of the Fleet Air Arm. First established as a seaplane base in 1917 during the First World War, it later became the main training establishment and administrative centre of the Fleet Air Arm. Situated near Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire, approximately four miles west of Portsmouth on the coast of the Solent at grid reference SU560019, the establishment has now been closed down. The airfield hosts the Solent Enterprise Zone.
History
Naval aviation began at Lee-on-Solent on 30 July 1917 when the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) opened the Naval Seaplane Training School as an extension to the seaplane training station at nearby Calshot. The school's first commander was Squadron Commander Douglas Evill. Initially, aircraft had to be transported from their temporary hangars to the top of the nearby cliff, then lowered by crane onto a trolley which ran on rails into the sea. Permanent hangars, workshops, accommodation and a new double slipway were soon constructed, however.[1]
Royal Air Force use
On 1 April 1918, the RNAS combined with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) to form the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Lee-on-Solent Naval Seaplane Training School became an RAF station. Naval aviation training continued throughout the 1920s under the RAF with both Calshot and Lee-on-Solent providing training in operating seaplanes - initially using the wartime Short Type 184s and, from late 1921, the new Fairey IIID.[2] On 1 April 1924, the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force was formed, encompassing those RAF units that normally embarked on aircraft carriers and fighting ships (including those at shore bases such as Lee-on-Solent).[3]
In 1931 the first grass airstrip at Lee was constructed to the west of the town, Lee-on-Solent became HQ RAF Coastal Area, and a major rebuilding programme ensued.[4] On 14 July 1936, an expanded RAF Coastal Area became RAF Coastal Command, with the HQ remaining at Lee-on-Solent.[5]
Royal Navy use
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With the expansion of the RAF during the 1930s, however, Parliament decided that the Fleet Air Arm should transfer to the Admiralty.[4] As a consequence, on 24 May 1939, HQ RAF Coastal Command moved to Northwood and Lee-on-Solent was commissioned as HMS Daedalus, becoming Headquarters of Flag Officer Air (Home).[5]
Second World War
During the Second World War a number of Naval Air Squadrons were posted or formed here at some point.
Post war
Post war she continued to play a significant role, being renamed HMS Ariel on 31 October 1959 to reflect her electrical, radar and ground training emphasis, and in 1962 the Joint Service Hovercraft Unit was formed with the aim of testing hovercraft in an operational military environment, and soon after the Air Station reverted to the name HMS Daedalus on 5 October 1965.[6]
She was home to the Naval Air Trial Installation Unit (NATIU), formed to install and test new systems in a variety of flying test bed aircraft including a Hawker Hunter and a De Havilland Devon.
Units
The following units were here at some point:[7]
- 700 Naval Air Squadron
- 701 Naval Air Squadron
- 702 Naval Air Squadron
- 703 Naval Air Squadron
- 705 Naval Air Squadron
- 708 Naval Air Squadron
- 710 Naval Air Squadron
- 712 Naval Air Squadron
- 716 Naval Air Squadron
- 728C Naval Air Squadron
- 739 Naval Air Squadron
- 746 Naval Air Squadron
- 752 Naval Air Squadron
- 753 Naval Air Squadron
- 754 Naval Air Squadron
- 760 Naval Air Squadron
- 763 Naval Air Squadron
- 764 Naval Air Squadron
- 765 Naval Air Squadron
- 770 Naval Air Squadron
- 771 Naval Air Squadron
- 772 Naval Air Squadron
- 773 Naval Air Squadron
- 776 Naval Air Squadron
- 778 Naval Air Squadron
- 780 Naval Air Squadron
- 781 Naval Air Squadron
- 782 Naval Air Squadron
- 783 Naval Air Squadron
- 784 Naval Air Squadron
- 793 Naval Air Squadron
- 798 Naval Air Squadron
- 799 Naval Air Squadron
- 800 Naval Air Squadron
- 801 Naval Air Squadron
- 802 Naval Air Squadron
- 803 Naval Air Squadron
- 804 Naval Air Squadron
- 805 Naval Air Squadron
- 807 Naval Air Squadron
- 808 Naval Air Squadron
- 809 Naval Air Squadron
- 810 Naval Air Squadron
- 811 Naval Air Squadron
- 812 Naval Air Squadron
- 813 Naval Air Squadron
- 814 Naval Air Squadron
- 815 Naval Air Squadron
- 816 Naval Air Squadron
- 817 Naval Air Squadron
- 818 Naval Air Squadron
- 819 Naval Air Squadron
- 820 Naval Air Squadron
- 821 Naval Air Squadron
- 822 Naval Air Squadron
- 823 Naval Air Squadron
- 824 Naval Air Squadron
- 825 Naval Air Squadron
- 826 Naval Air Squadron
- 827 Naval Air Squadron
- 828 Naval Air Squadron
- 829 Naval Air Squadron
- 830 Naval Air Squadron
- 831 Naval Air Squadron
- 832 Naval Air Squadron
- 833 Naval Air Squadron
- 835 Naval Air Squadron
- 836 Naval Air Squadron
- 837 Naval Air Squadron
- 841 Naval Air Squadron
- 842 Naval Air Squadron
- 845 Naval Air Squadron
- 847 Naval Air Squadron
- 848 Naval Air Squadron
- 849 Naval Air Squadron
- 850 Naval Air Squadron
- 854 Naval Air Squadron
- 855 Naval Air Squadron
- 878 Naval Air Squadron
- 881 Naval Air Squadron
- 884 Naval Air Squadron
- 885 Naval Air Squadron
- 886 Naval Air Squadron
- 887 Naval Air Squadron
- 888 Naval Air Squadron
- 891 Naval Air Squadron
- 892 Naval Air Squadron
- 894 Naval Air Squadron
- 895 Naval Air Squadron
- 897 Naval Air Squadron
- No. 1320 ('Abdullah') Flight RAF
- 1700 Naval Air Squadron
- 1701 Naval Air Squadron
- 1702 Naval Air Squadron
- 1703 Naval Air Squadron
- 1791 Naval Air Squadron
- 1792 Naval Air Squadron
- 1831 Naval Air Squadron
Post Royal Navy use (1996-2014)
In 2003 it was the subject of much controversy over the proposal to use a small part of it as a refuge for asylum-seekers.
In March 2006 the site was split, with ownership of the central area including the runways transferred to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) who have continued to use it as a base for their air sea rescue helicopters. Hampshire Constabulary's fixed wing aircraft also continued to use the airfield. The outlying areas, including the former accommodation and technical area and surrounding land, hangars, and dispersals, were transferred to the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).
In April 2006, Gosport and Fareham Borough Councils issued a Joint Planning Statement for Daedalus (PDF) stating that "There should be provision of leisure and community facilities which could complement existing facilities to the benefit of local residents" and "Future development should seek to maximise the benefit of the existing runways for general and private aviation use.".
In April/May 2006, whilst conducting repairs to the runway, building crews discovered an unexploded pipe bomb, of over 60 feet long, placed underneath the runway by the military, designed to cripple the airfield's operational capabilities in the event of a German invasion. The bomb (along with 19 others subsequently discovered) was scheduled to be removed in September 2006. The work was completed on 24 October 2006.
During its RN ownership the airfield had been used for a variety of groups, including the Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club (PNGC) The Lee Bees Model Flying Club, The Tigers Children's Motorcycle Display Team and two flying schools, and a number of privately owned aircraft were based at the airfield. When the RN moved out in 1996, operational management of the airfield was taken over by Hampshire Police Air Support Unit (HPASU). This management continued until October 2010, with HPASU being tenants of the MCA, which is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport. In October 2010 Hampshire Police Air Support Unit was closed and its tasks taken over by the newly formed South East Air Support Unit covering Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey from bases at RAF Odiham and Shoreham Airport.
On acquiring their land SEEDA stated “The lack of availability of serviced employment land and new business space has been identified as an important requirement in South Hampshire. Our intention is that development of the site will focus on new aviation and marine related businesses, exploiting access to the existing runways and the Solent. Plans are to create a quality business location that will attract inward investment and provide accommodation for start-up, growing and established businesses.” Aviation-related businesses, including an aircraft maintenance organisation, a microlight aircraft manufacturer and a flying school, became tenants of SEEDA in 2006, as did the owners of around 50 aircraft based on the site.
The aerodrome is strategically important. The growth of commercial air transport at Southampton Airport some years ago left it with no capacity for general aviation (GA) aircraft. This leaves Lee-on-Solent as the only airfield in southern Hampshire with a hard runway available for general aviation; the nearest alternative in Hampshire being Farnborough Airfield[citation needed].
On 18 October 2007, users were given 30 days notice by the Airfield Manager that the aerodrome would be closed to all existing users except MCA, HPASU and PNGC from 16 November 2007. The closure was successfully challenged by Lee Flying Association which worked with other agencies such as the Civil Aviation Authority and AOPA to develop new operating procedures, an Airfield Manual and an air-to-ground service and the airfield is now operating as a licensed general aviation airfield.[8] In May 2008 the closure decision was reversed.
From 1 April 2011, the airfield was leased to the British aircraft manufacturer, Britten-Norman[9] under its airfield operations subsidiary, Fly BN.[10] Britten-Norman established corporate offices at the Daedalus Airfield site as well as a manufacturing base for its subsidiary Britten-Norman Aircraft[11] and MRO facilities for two other subsidiaries, BN Defence[12] and BN Aviation.[13] Now managed by Fly BN on behalf of the airfield's new owner, the Homes and Communities Agency, the airfield was prepared for licensed operations.
In August 2011 the government announced that the airfield would host an enterprise zone named the Solent Enterprise Zone.[14]
Current use
On 1 April 2015 the airfield owners, Fareham Borough Council, appointed Regional and City Airports Management on a 5-year contract to manage the airfield. New entrances have been constructed to eliminate the need for runway crossings by vehicles and redevelopment is underway. CEMAST (Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training), part of Fareham College is completed on previously undeveloped land in the south east corner of the airfield. Wartime Hangar A has been demolished to make way for a new Innovation Centre of business starter units to the south of the South Apron on the east side. Temporary hangars are to be placed on the sites of Bellman Hangars 2 and 3, which were destroyed in a wartime air raid to accommodate aircraft which are having to be moved from Hangars East while redevelopment takes place. The old MARTSU building is to be demolished and replaced by a factory. The new development at Hangars East includes new roads and infrastructure and hangars for aviation use with runway access.
In September 2017 it was announced that Solent Airport (Daedalus) is to open up scheduled flights, with destinations possibly including Alderney, Cardiff, Swansea and Exeter. The Daily Echo reports that there may also be a small passenger terminal to accommodate the up to 20 seater planes. [15]
In May 2018, Portsmouth Naval Gliding Centre announced that it would not be remaining at the site after its eviction notice on the 31st May 2018. The charity stated this was because the airfield owners, Fareham Borough Council, had been unable to offer them a viable replacement to their current hangar, Belman 4, from which they had been served eviction notice for. On the 31st May 2018, exactly 69 years to the day of the centre's formation, the last 'pure' glider flight from Lee-on-the-Solent flew. The centre is currently looking for a new home. [16]
Currently a number of Fixed Based Operators (FBO) are at the airfield including:
- Bournemouth Avionics LTD
- BN Aviation
- Phoenix Aviation[17]
- Solent Microlight Flying Group[18]
- Hampshire Aeroplane Club[19]
- HM Coastguard Search and Rescue (flying the AgustaWestland AW189)
- Phoenix Helicopter Academy (Not related to Phoenix Aviation) [20]
See also
- Calshot Naval Air Station
- Hovercraft Museum - Situated on the site.
- RNAS Kingsnorth
- List of former Royal Air Force stations
- List of air stations of the Royal Navy
- Britten-Norman
References
- ^ HMS Daedalus Heritage: Early Days 1917-1920 - Fleet Air Arm Archive. Archived 9 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ HMS Daedalus Heritage: RAF History 1920s - Fleet Air Arm Archive.
- ^ RAF Museum Milestones of Flight - 1924 Archived 2 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Report on HMS Daedalus for the Defence Heritage and Tourism Panel, Hampshire County Council - 30 November 1999. Archived 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b HMS Daedalus Heritage: History in the 1930s - Fleet Air Arm Archive.
- ^ HMS Daedalus Heritage - Fleet Air Arm and RAF History & Timeline
- ^ "Lee-on-Solent". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ Lee Flying Association history
- ^ Britten-Norman
- ^ Fly BN
- ^ Britten-Norman Aircraft
- ^ BN Defence
- ^ BN Aviation
- ^ "New 'enterprise zones' announced around England". BBC News Online. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15529311.Plans_unveiled_to_offer_commercial_flights_from_airport_near_Fareham/
- ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-44015162
- ^ Phoenix Aviation
- ^ Solent Microlight Flying Group
- ^ Hampshire Aeroplane Club
- ^ [1]
External links
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