The History of Stapleford Airfield
For more than 90 years, Stapleford Airfield has been part of the story of British aviation – from pioneering airline routes in the 1930s and wartime RAF operations to training generations of pilots for the skies.
Early Years – Hillman Airways
- Stapleford Airfield was established in 1933 by Edward Hillman, founder of Hillman’s Airways.
- The airfield was originally known as Essex Aerodrome or Essex Air Port.
- Hillman Airways moved its operations here from Maylands (Romford) in 1934.
- The airline operated aircraft including the de Havilland DH.84 Dragon and later the de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide.
- Scheduled services connected Stapleford to destinations including Paris, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Ostend, Brussels and Antwerp.
- Return flights between Stapleford and Paris cost around £5.10s.0d and took just over two hours.
- During the mid-1930s Stapleford effectively served as London’s third airport, alongside Croydon Airport and Heston Aerodrome.
Amy Johnson and Stapleford
- One of the most famous pilots associated with Stapleford was Amy Johnson, a pioneering aviator of the early twentieth century.
- In 1934, she flew 16 return flights between Stapleford and Paris for Hillman Airways.
- These flights took place over a period of around three weeks.
- At the time she had recently returned from the United States and was preparing for the MacRobertson Air Race from England to Australia.
- Her involvement with Hillman Airways helped promote early commercial aviation.
Stapleford During World War II
- During World War II, Stapleford was requisitioned by the Royal Air Force.
- The airfield became a satellite station to RAF North Weald.
- Fighter squadrons including No. 46 Squadron RAF operated from the airfield flying Hawker Hurricane aircraft.
- The airfield also supported Air-Sea Rescue operations conducted by No. 277 Squadron RAF.
- Aircraft involved included the Westland Lysander, Supermarine Walrus, and Supermarine Sea Otter.
- Stapleford was also linked to Special Operations Executive missions, with Lysander aircraft used for clandestine operations into occupied Europe.
Notable Trainee – Johnnie Johnson
- James Edgar ‘Johnnie’ Johnson trained at Stapleford when the airfield hosted No. 21 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School RAF.
- Johnson went on to become the RAF’s highest-scoring fighter ace against the Luftwaffe, with 34 confirmed victories.
- He flew the Supermarine Spitfire and later rose to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.
Post-War Aviation
- After the war, Stapleford was taken over by the Royal Engineers in 1946, becoming the base for 869 Mechanical Equipment Squadron RE, a specialist unit responsible for engineering and construction equipment.
- The unit later became No. 1 Plant Park Squadron RE before relocating to Bordon in 1948.
- In 1953, Roger Frogley and his brother Buster relocated the Herts & Essex Aero Club from Broxbourne to Stapleford.
- The hangars were renovated and flying resumed using aircraft such as the de Havilland Tiger Moth and Auster, marking the beginning of Stapleford’s development as a centre for civil aviation and flying training.
- In 1955, renowned aircraft designer Edgar Percival established a production line at Stapleford for the Percival EP.9 agricultural aircraft, with 40 aircraft built.
Eric Thurston – A Stapleford Aviation Legend
- Eric Thurston was one of the most influential figures in Stapleford’s post-war history and in UK general aviation.
- Originally trained as an engineer, he began flying in the late 1930s and served during World War II, taking part in the D-Day landings and receiving a mention in despatches.
- After the Herts and Essex Aero Club moved to Stapleford in 1953, he became closely involved with the airfield, later gaining his Commercial Pilot Licence and instructor ratings.
- He went on to become Chief Flying Instructor at Stapleford, a role he held until 2000.
- Among the many notable people he flew or instructed were Douglas Bader, whom he signed off to fly a Piper PA-34 Seneca, as well as Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Sir Geoffrey Howe, and bands including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who.
- His contribution to aviation was recognised with an OBE, and he remained a respected figure at Stapleford for many years.
Stapleford Today
In 1969, John Chicken founded Stapleford Flight Centre, establishing what would become one of the UK’s leading pilot training organisations.
Since then, Stapleford has trained thousands of pilots from the UK and around the world, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in commercial aviation.
Operating from its own airfield in Essex on the north-east edge of London, Stapleford remains a busy centre for general aviation, professional flight training and aircraft engineering. Students benefit from training in some of the busiest airspace in the UK, helping them develop the skills and confidence required for a career in aviation.
Today the organisation remains family-run under the leadership of Pamela Chicken, alongside her son Oliver and daughter Sophia — continuing the Stapleford family aviation legacy.
With more than 90 years of aviation history behind it, Stapleford has built a strong reputation within the aviation community and occupies a distinctive place in British aviation history. Proud of its heritage and focused firmly on the future, Stapleford continues to train the next generation of pilots while maintaining the high standards of professionalism, safety and instruction that have defined the airfield for decades.
